Fully acquainted with the under-currents of Paris life, this Chief of the Detective Force had a cold dispassionate nature and a clear and methodical mind.
Professionalism slightly spoilt him, however: he would have possessed more intelligence if he had not credited himself with so much.
He began by apologising for his superior the Prefect, who would certainly have called in person had he not been suffering from indisposition.
However, it was perhaps best that he, Gascogne, should acquaint Monsieur le Ministre with the grave affair which brought him, for he knew every detail of it.

Then he revealed what the grave affair was.
"I believe, Monsieur le Ministre, that we at last hold the perpetrator of the crime in the Rue Godot-de-Mauroy." At this, Monferrand, who had been listening impatiently, became quite impassioned.

The fruitless searches of the police, the attacks and the jeers of the newspapers, were a source of daily worry to him.

"Ah!--Well, so much the better for you Monsieur Gascogne," he replied with brutal frankness.

"You would have ended by losing your post.