"NICOLAS LE FLOCH" "Adapted from the novels by Jean-François Parot" "THE CRIME AT SAINT-FLORENTIN HOUSE" "The poor soul won't linger for much longer." "When will God, in His mercy, think it best to end his suffering?" "How cruel for him to die like this, it is but a taste of the grave." "Come, Choiseul, it's not worth it." "You know you're not welcome here." "The King is dying and you want to deny me the simple act of bowing before him once last time?" "What is the meaning of this indignity!" "We needn't look further than you, with your detestable mania for conspiracy, your vile lust for duplicity." "You are not permitted here." "Disappear." "Marquis, if you please, see him out." "Sir, if you please." "Unnecessary, sir." "Unnecessary." "That vile little insect!" "Will he never cease in causing harm?" "The King is dead." "The King is dead." "The King is dead!" "Long live the King!" "Long live the King!" "Not you, your Majesty." "I need to close his eyes..." "Not you." "Your grandfather's illness could spread to you too." "Who will do it, then?" "I will, your Majesty." "The King is dead." "Long live the King." "The King is dead." "Long live the King!" "Do you have any idea, sir, as to the identity of the person behind this mask?" "None, sir." "And I couldn't care less." "So long as the money is good and it flows abundantly into my pockets..." "When do you intend to proceed?" "As soon as night falls." "Have you been able to acquire the appropriate object?" "Without any hassle." "Do you at least know how to wield it?" "Nothing deadly is unknown to me." "It was agreed, I believe, that a large sum of money would be needed to seal our pact?" "My Lords..." "Sir." "If by chance, the inspector becomes too pressing..." "It'll cost you a few more pennies." "But it will be done, you can be sure of that." "Gentlemen." "How much can we trust him?" "As much trust as we can legitimately accord to one of my finest experts." "That's good, Chambonas..." "That's good." "That's very good." "Your unusual project pleases me, in that it serves my interests." "However, I would prefer to not be in any way associated with your sinister schemes." "Now go, my friend." "Go!" "Come on!" "Stop playing around!" "I know you're here!" "What's the meaning behind this get-up, my dear?" "What are you doing?" "Have you lost your mind?" "The King is dead, the young King has no confidence, and Sartine has left for the Naval Ministry." "Now you're alone and exposed." "No, we are alone and exposed." "You're hanging to me like I'm hanging on to Sartine." "The new King, Louis XVI..." "Sir, if you'd kindly follow me," "Mr Le Noir is waiting." "Sir." "My predecessor, Mr Sartine, recommended you." "I have seen for myself, not long ago, your mastery in numerous delicate affairs." "However, you cannot be as close to me as you were with Mr Sartine." "I intend to renew the rules and subject our methods to new guidelines which are more in line with my way of doing things." "Do you want me to repeat anything?" "I serve the King, my Lord." "Just like his grandfather, to whom he was very loyal, the King appreciates you, as we know, but everyone must follow the same rules." "Longer-serving officers might be offended that someone their junior continued to freely monopolise attention and favour, just as they pleased." "The multiple complaints and grievances regarding you have already reached me." "You could heed, sir, the voice of reason." "Take it easy!" "Rest up a little!" "Go hunting!" "Wait for a better time to return, who knows..." "You may leave, sir." "Did you know that following the departure of Lady Du Barry, who has the Queen's sympathies," "Choiseul wants to return to Court, and he's vying for the top spot?" "That of the King's mentor, held by Mr Maurepas." "With moderation, or undisguised?" "Do you think Choiseul is capable of moderation?" "He'll fight tooth and nail for it, and could very well succeed." "You haven't said a word, my lady." "It's just that, like everybody else," "I am contented to admire you." "Isn't it customary to say... the more we admire the stars, the more we distance ourselves from them." "That's not my doing, my Lady." "It's no longer a question of time, but of wanting to do it.." "Allow me to take my leave." "Please excuse me." "If I were you, I wouldn't." "Well, you aren't." "My Lady!" "My Lady, wait." "Don't wait for excuses from me, nor regrets." "Madam, may I know what I have done to merit this?" "I could not love a Court lapdog." "You'll soon be fat and sated, licking your master's hand." "I lick nothing nor nobody." "You need a younger mistress, more becoming than I." "I alone am the judge of that." "Nicolas... would you do me one last favour?" "Leave, quickly, before my courage fails me." "Let's go." "Should we fetch your horse, Marquis?" "To go after her carriage?" "Are you mocking me?" "Not at all, sir, I was only asking..." "This doesn't concern you at all!" " My apologies, sir..." " Shut up!" " Nicolas!" " Here I am." "Sleep has eluded me." "You've received immediate summons." "The dawn was... ..ugly, this morning." "Two officers are waiting in the hall, and a large troop of armed guards in the yard, acting as your escort." "Perhaps you should be kept under his Majesty's protection." "I am grateful to you, Marquis... for not wasting a minute in coming here." "It's quite hard to escape while surrounded by a troop of guards." "I think my instructions have been exceeded." "Don't think I've changed my mind about you, Mr Le Floch." "I have just been charged to invite you to present yourself... as of now, at Saint-Florentin House." "The Count of Saint-Florentin, the Duke of Vrillière, Minister to the King's Household, has asked to see you in person." "Why?" "He didn't see fit to inform me." "Rest assured, if it were my choice, I'd have sent somebody else." "Alas, the Count of Saint-Florentin takes after Mr Maurepas, who himself takes after the King, whom he mentors." "So, I haven't been left with much of a choice, rather, no choice at all." "Go." "Keep me informed of anything that might interest the Royal Services." "Sir, I have always held you in high regard." "I understand you have been lead to believe that recently, my trust in you has been lacking." "I've believed it so much that I'm convinced of it, my Lord." "However, I am without argument to explain it." "But others have had charges brought against them, and I'm being made to feel pressured." "Le Noir, correct?" "He suspects things, that's all." "A word from me will set him straight." "We do have further need of your services." "Mr Sartine has convinced me of this." "Today..." "I need you." "On your orders, my Lord." "I was at Versailles." "I returned home in the early hours to find it turned upside-down." "To be frank... one of my wife's chambermaids has been killed." "The maître d'hôtel was found injured and unconscious, with a large knife at his side." "This leads us to believe he killed the girl, then as a punishment, he tried to kill himself." "What do you want of me, my Lord?" "I want you to investigate, Marquis." "I am an important person, of course, but my position is fragile." "My reputation is villainous." "The gossip going around about me, in the eyes of the young Queen, has done me a great disservice." "The King, as usual, is sticking by his own opinion." "I know the rumours, sir, but take them for what they are, garbage." "Investigate." "Investigate." "And what about the Police Lieutenant General?" "Le Noir?" "I'll deal with it, but with the highest discretion." "You can use the study on the mezzanine." "Provence, who has served me for 20 years, will act as your guide in these matters." "Where was the maître d'hôtel found?" "Sprawled on his back, here, injured, not far from the poor girl." "And the knife?" "Held in his hand, covered in blood." "As soon as I got your message, I rushed over here." "Is this a big case?" "Not only because of how the victim died, but also because of the place, yes." "The crime scene has been trampled over." "The footprints here are convoluted," "I doubt we'll get very much." "But on the other hand... the wound to the victim's throat..." "I'll let you be the judge." "What abominable monster could have done this?" "You will do a full search of the house, then you will listen to all the domestic staff." " I want a full, precise geography." " Yes, sir." "You will have the body taken discreetly to the morgue." "And ask Sanson to make a cast of the throat." "Yes, sir." "Gentlemen..." "I was summoned to make records of this mess." "The young woman had no need of my expertise, this one, however..." "He was fortunate that the blade passed over a rib without seriously damaging the internal organs." "I believe he will come to." "He hasn't come to yet?" "No." " Not since you found him?" " No." "That intrigues me." "The wound wouldn't have caused this." "I fear there's something else." "Show me the wound." "You'll notice the bleeding has stopped and the wound is clean, probably caused by this robust knife, borrowed from a butcher's." "Do you have any reason to conclude that the man tried to commit suicide?" "Until we have more information, and although we have no proof of this, we can stick to that hypothesis." "He's breathing heavily." "Get up close, smell his breath." "Pungent and lingering..." "This could lead to some embarrassment, but I cannot assume anything about it" "Make sure to inform me as soon as your patient regains consciousness." "One of my men will soon be here to assure he speaks with no-one." "If he wakes, say nothing of the murder." "Well, as you put it, the traces of blood left around the victim are unclear." "What is her name?" "Pindron." "Marguerite Pindron." "Carry on." "The nature of the wound, on the throat, also seems unclear." "But we'll see what our friend Sanson thinks." "There are two things." "Firstly, the victim's attire leads us to believe that she was expecting a romantic encounter." "Secondly, by widening the scope of my research," "I found a few nice traces of dried blood footprints, but this blood should have been very fresh, and these footprints are stepping awa from the crime scene." " Madam..." " Sir." "I've been told that you're the one investigating the death of that loose woman?" "Can you tell us to whom we have the honour of speaking?" "I am the Duchess de la Vrillière, the wife of the Count of Saint-Florentin." "And you are in my home!" "It was common knowledge that Jean Missery, our maître d'hôtel, was seeking carnal pleasures with that girl." "Marguerite Pindron was part of your entourage, as a chambermaid?" "Entourage?" "You must be joking!" "She was part of my house staff, of a lowly rank at that." "I don't know how she got in, it was quite recently actually, and without my consent!" "Having surprised her during his rounds, while that girl was readying for their nightly debaucheries, in a fit of jealousy, the maître d'hôtel put an end to the girl's existence before trying to kill himself." "I have heard this one before, told by your husband." "It is quite convenient, I do not deny that." "Do you suspect me, sir?" "When and how did you learn about the crime?" "At 6 am... when my head chambermaid came to wake me." "Her name?" "Eugénie Gouet." "Am I right in saying you knew Miss Pindron intimately?" " Intimately?" " Yes!" "Intimately!" "What do you want from me?" "Am I right in saying it was on his recommendation that she was hired to this house?" "Yes, but why, sir?" "Did you have any authority over the young lady?" "The same amount as all the house staff, within the remit of my position." "What do you want?" "I want you to answer me!" "What did you do last night?" "Last night, after my rounds..." "I retired to this room, and went to bed, like every night." " Alone?" " Yes, that's right." "Since my wife's death, I live alone." "Did you know Marguerite Pindron had a lover?" " How should I know?" " Everyone knows!" " Sir, please..." " Sit down!" "You knew this and it broke your heart." "We found you, unconscious, with a knife in your hand, next to the lifeless body of your mistress." "She's dead?" "You are accused of the crime of having murdered her... and also the crime of trying to take your own life." "You will be sent to Châtelet and then incarcerated there." "I'm innocent, sir." "Innocent of what!" "Do you remember anything that proves this?" "No." "No!" "What can you tell me about the Duchess' chambermaid?" "Which chambermaid?" "The Gouet lady." "Ah, Nicolas." "Madam Gouet has just given us a verbal declaration..." "Verbal?" "Yes, according to her," "Marguerite Pindron was Jean Missery's mistress." "They're aren't just claims." "Inquire for yourselves." "He had become the laughing stock of the entire household." "He didn't deserve that, he, who could have once..." "He could have once, what, Madam?" " I know him..." " Well, that's good." "Could he have killed himself?" "Even though he's not lacking in charm he's a brutal man, hot-headed, prone to angry outbursts and irrational acts." "He does everything to excess." "Like his affections towards you?" "Affections?" "Jean Missery is no man of affection." "He takes, he consumes, and once bored, he's done." "Poor Pindron thought she was toying with him... but it was him who was toying with her." "It looks most likely that the maître d'hôtel is guilty." "For the time being, let's pretend we stick to the version of events that everybody is telling us in total agreement..." "Let's wait for the body to be opened up so we can finely attune our inquiries." "Have you heard word from Sanson?" "We're meeting him tomorrow in the prison morgue at 6 am." "6 am?" "That's the most discreet time." "For the time of death, taking into account the advanced rigor mortis, and considering the room she was found in was very cold, we can place it between 10 pm and midnight." "And the causes of death?" "She perished from a mortal wound to the front of her throat." "This unique wound opened up the subclavian vessels of the larger branches of the axial artery." "We were right to conclude immediate death from blood loss." "This case is without precedent." "It's like her throat was ripped out." "And the weapon?" "We're dealing with robust pincers, which have malleable jaws." " Not a knife wound?" " No, nor any other sharp object." "Did you create the cast I previously asked you for?" "I'm working on it." "The clothes tell us a lot, these top quality shoes, this petticoat, these leggings..." "This woman was being courted." "Our physical observations show her body type was similar to those of lower-class girls who line up to sell themselves." "Then, there was this contraceptive sponge, found in her "private areas"." "This at least proves your victim was waiting for some suitor." "Nicolas, let's wager that when we find this suitor, the guilty party won't be far off." "The Lieutenant-General wants to see you immediately." "What do you want, sir?" "Please, don't play this game with me." "Give me your report." "A girl dead, her throat horribly torn to shreds." "A man found injured next to her, unconscious, with a knife in hand." "What are you inferring?" "I infer nothing, I'm just stating the facts." "A crime, you say." "In the very heart of Saint-Florentin House." "I now better understand the Minister's haste to personally send for you." "On the contrary, I don't understand at all." "Any officer could have acted as a candle-snuffer." "Any specific instructions?" "None, now carry on, carry on." "This could become complicated or perilous if by chance this is any way involved the minister..." "Carry on, that's an order." "I hereby grant you full powers, which you've already exercised, at your own risk, of course." "And please, change your clothes." "As for Missery, our preliminary findings show that while he's no big shot, he's no small-fry either." "He worked with the Duchamplans." "He married one of the sisters, died in labour." "I know even less about who the Duchamplans are." "A bourgeois family who look only for gain and furthering their social standing." "Only three of them are now left." " May I?" " Go ahead." "Excuse me..." "The eldest Duchamplan owns a cab company." "He works at Bicêtre Hospital and he's also eyeing up the city's water services, together with Mr de Conti." "Conti..." "The second, Louise de l'Annonciation, is the Mother Superior of the Saint-Michel Girls Home." "As for the third thief, Eudes Duchamplan, he's known for committing a few infractions common to those young people who lavishly spend gold which isn't theirs, if you know what I mean." "Commissioner!" "The Police Lieutenant-General wants to see you now." " But I just saw him..." " No, the other one, the real one." "Mr de Sartine!" "I know everything..." "Mr Marquis of Ranreuil... concerning the escapades and depravities in the house of the Count of Saint-Florentin." "The man is notoriously dissolute..." "But he's the King's minister, making him the state's third most powerful man." "Could we imagine, whatever title he may hold, that he could be incriminated in the goings-on at his home?" "We could imagine anything, sir." "Such rigidity, Nicolas." "It's like we've never met before." "It's just that, you're no longer my superior." "As I carry out my functions, I owe the new Lieutenant-General the same loyalty that I owed you." "That's one point to you." "I need to speak frankly with you." "For the young King, the time is right for a change." "Yet many ministers are in place who pose as obstacles and who should be removed." "Including Mr Saint-Florentin?" "You deduce, as ever, quickly and correctly." "The future is uncertain." "The young King does not seem fully qualified to protect the dynasty from coming agitations." "He needs a real mentor." "Only one person has the necessary qualities, and that's Mr de Choiseul." "The young King does not like him." "Quite right." "Make no mistake." "All those who bring down Saint-Florentin will serve to bring about Choiseul's return." "I'm counting on your former loyalty in order to keep me informed, if not of the small details," "but of the bigger picture of your investigation." "One thing, however." "Despite what he says," "I can tell you that the Count of Saint-Florentin was not at Versailles, but in Paris." "He lied to you about that." "I'll let you judge the rest." "Good day, sir." "So, does Mr de Sartine intend to lead the way for us?" "Yes, I'm as surprised as you are." "This brings us full-circle to Saint-Florentin House." "Yes." "I am a Police Commissioner from Châtelet and I want to be received by Mother Louise de l'Annonciation, right away." "While I listen to the Mother Superior, go speak with all the nuns who wish to talk." "We'll then compare what the top says against what the bottom says." "Yes, sir." "No messing around, Bourdeau." "Good day, Sister." "I'm listening, my son." "Have you heard news of your brother-in-law," "Jean Missery?" "None, and I'm not looking for any." "I always disapproved of their union." "My sister didn't want to listen, she married Missery, and now she's dead." "What do you mean by that?" "The Lord did not want to bless their union." "Their stillborn child killed my sister." "Mother Superior," "Jean Missery seems to have killed a certain Marguerite Pindron." "A whore." "A street girl." "After he abused her, he would sell her for himself." "You seem to know quite a lot about Saint-Florentin House." "The Duchess de la Vrillière, the Countess of Saint-Florentin, is the benefactress of this home." "Without her help, what could we do for these poor girls?" "Just like Saint-Florentin House, the house of God is also a place of wrong-doings, which they prattle on about at great length." "More than the devil's influence, we should observe their confinement and other restrictions." "As for restrictions, the Mother Superior seems to be living the high life." "If we accept she was found without shoes, this girl strongly resembles the previous one." "Her clothes are almost identical, so we can suppose the same habits." "This one, however, seems much younger and less "used"." "Here's the cast made from Marguerite Pindron." "It very closely matches the throat of the second victim." "The same weapon." "And perhaps the same hand." "You don't know how right you are." "Intrigued by its shape," "I carried out a study on the dimensions of the wound." "A hand, Nicolas." "Made from metal, a hand possessing great strength, an articulated hand." "A sort of armoured gauntlet." "The second death reminds us of the murder of Marguerite Pindron." "It is identical in its cruelty, yet different in scope." "Different in scope?" "The crime scenes." "Saint-Florentin House for the first girl, and the second, hitherto unknown to us, found in the street." "And this handprint." "The silver hand the King gave to the Count of Saint-Florentin." "Find it, bring it in for comparison, then you'll know beyond any shadow of a doubt." "I can't figure it out." "The enormity of this discovery suffocates me." "The Count..." "A man of his standing..." "Everything must bow before the implacable and abrupt evidence of proof." "Leaving already?" "The King wants to see me tomorrow for an extremely important matter." "The King?" "Tomorrow?" "Bloody hell, Nicolas, you're a real high-flyer now!" "Easy now." "Easy!" "Easy, easy!" " What's going on?" " There's a body down there." "It seems lifeless." "Miss?" "Miss!" "Miss..." "You seem confused, what has happened to me?" "I don't know, the coach driver saw you." "Who should I be thanking, my saviour?" "Nicolas Le Floch." "The little Marquis of Ranreuil!" "Do not take offense, sir." "We have a friend in common, Mr de la Borde." "He won't stop singing your praises!" "His very young wife is a close friend of mine." "You can put me down." "I only look thin, but I'm not." "I don't intend to tire you further, in such a stupid way as well!" "Aimée of Arranet, sir, at your service." "Please, get in, Miss." "Go!" "What were you looking for?" "Mushrooms, chestnuts... or a few handsome man, fallen from the sky, in a cut-price carriage!" "Because of me, you've got all wet." "It was my pleasure." "Where can I take you?" "I see my company isn't wanted." "It seems I've made you late." "That's just how I am." "Impertinent and playful by nature." "My father's house isn't far from here." "It's on Avenue de Paris." "And what is your father's name?" "The Count of Arranet, and Admiral of the Navy." "To Avenue de Paris!" "Well, Tribord, are you waiting to tell my father..." "Tell me what, Miss?" "What could further shock me with regards to you?" "May I know who you are, sir?" " Nicolas Le..." " The Marquis of Ranreuil!" "She's a unique girl, not yet a woman." "She has grace, spirit, vivacity, even softness, even if it can hardly be seen." "I once knew a Marquis of Ranreuil who served in the King's Guard at the battle of Fontenoy." "My father, my Lord." "I'm throwing a dinner tonight in honour of my new minister." "It would be most agreeable if you were to join us." "Don't even think of refusing." "The desserts here are exquisite!" "You missed the arrival, Nicolas." "His Majesty is waiting for you with great impatience." "Will you join us on the hunt tomorrow?" "No, your Majesty, I have to go to Paris for a case." "The case of the Count of Saint-Florentin?" "Yes, your Majesty." "You're good, you'll solve it." "Sir..." "There is something worse." "You have to clear my name." "Your Majesty knows my loyalty." "How may I serve you?" "From time to time, from atop the gazebo..." "I shoot at the cats which litter our roofs." "They trouble us at night." "Alas..." "I killed one cat that is surely the Turkish Angora belonging to Lady Maurepas." "Lady Maurepas!" "Do you see now?" "Yes, I quite understand." "What would you advise, Marquis?" "If his Majesty permitted me to speak on his behalf," "I could act as his ambassador and go "over the top" in order to take the first barrage." "And once the gunfire has ceased, how will you proceed?" "That the accident was in no way voluntary, the King was merely shooting pigeons... and a cat happened to pass by..." "That's it!" "That's exactly it!" "A cat happened to pass by!" "I'll have to leave you, Nicolas, the moment you fire the first shot." "Approach us, sir." "A clear look in his eyes, a sturdy build, a good swordsman too, it seems." "Well, sir, what warrants us your presence?" " My Lady, his Majesty..." " His Majesty, what, Marquis?" "I won't beat around the bush." "The King feels so bad for your cat, he dare not speak to you." "He desperately wants you to know the truth." "I swear on my honour to have advised him to say he missed a pigeon..." "An errant pigeon?" "That's a good one, Marquis!" "As if I didn't know!" "The King doesn't need my pardon, I'm his servant." "He's a good boy, and you are too." "They say Saint-Florentin is involved in a ghastly affair." "News travels quickly, my Lady." "Bad news spread like an infection, and the others are of no interest." "Do they claim that Saint-Florentin, our brother-in-law, is a killer?" "Yes, my Lady." "Don't believe a word, sir." "In his youth, the Count was quite the libertine." "One of his less stupid escapades would have been his tumultuous liaison with Madam de Cusacque, better known by the name, "The Fair Aglaé"." "Have you ever met her?" " No, I have not." " She possessed great beauty." "But believe me, he would not spoil fresh meat." "He loves her too much for that." "I am sure you are telling the truth." "Keep an eye on Saint-Florentin." "He sorely needs it." "Your question seems answered." "It is, you can be sure of that." "No gunshots, no screaming, you must have bewitched the lady!" "You are an expert in matters of exorcism, Nicolas." "What can you tell me about a certain Aglaé de Cusacque?" "Nothing but very banal details." "The Count of Saint-Florentin was crazy for her, even making her his mistress." "Out of their illegitimate union was born a daughter, whom the Count does not acknowledge." "That poor child is the recently married wife to a sinister breed of man." "Sir Scipion de la Garde, the Marquis of Chambonas." "You don't seem to hold him in high esteem." "An ambitious upstart, very unpredictable, he always provokes intrigue." "Can you imagine, he named himself Grand Master of a libertine society called "The Order of Happiness"." "My word!" "This hermaphrodite society practises gender swapping and gender mixing, and it intends to pave the way for a new and more enlightened humanity." " Is that all they want?" " That's all, yes." "Let's change the subject." "I've just learned you too are expected at Arranet House, at one of the dinners to which the Admiral is so partial." "Let's travel there together!" "Don't expect to get by strong, nor to leave before the small hours of the morning." "The dishes are exquisite, the beverages are remarkable." " And the libations are plenty!" " Whoa!" "Oh, sir..." "You seem to have a very poorly arm." "Sir, leave this place!" "Nicolas!" "Assassinating one of my guests, on my very doorstep!" "In Versailles!" "The man only wanted the Marquis of Ranreuil." "Alas, the coach driver..." "If only you saw how I lashed that fellow!" "The whip ran red with blood!" "Be wary of scarred men now, Nicolas." "Sure." "You owe your life to the hidden talents of the Count de la Borde, Marquis." "As a child, I aspired to be a coach driver!" "The whip is a formidable weapon, to which even the most terrible animals yield." " Tell your master I'm here." " He's waiting for you, sir." "Please, sit down." "I'll just be a moment." "Well, what news do you have for me?" "As of now, you're on our list of suspects." "I beg your pardon?" "Could you show me your left hand?" "Provence, stop!" " Where's the other one?" " What other one?" "The silver hand the late King gave you!" "I know nothing!" "Misplaced, perhaps, lost, surely." "Forgotten!" "Such a present is neither misplaced nor forgotten!" "It's in your interests to tell me where the hand is!" "You go too far!" "My interests are telling me to have you immediately discharged from this case!" "I have a warrant granting me full judicial powers, allowing me to act until the truth is uncovered." "Le Noir, of course." "That chap doesn't like me at all." "And the young King, do you know what he thinks of this?" "He's urging me to solve this." "His Lordship must at least remember the place where he lost the hand?" "At the home of Lady de Cusacque." "In Normandy." "Aglaé de Cusacque." "Isn't she the mother of your estranged daughter?" "These out-dated curtains, this mismatched furniture, these bare walls, lacking in paintings..." "Everything else, emitting an antique splendour." "You didn't know me in my glory days." "Are you a Marquis, sir?" "I'm also a police officer, my Lady." "I am aware of that..." "What warrants this visit to my sad and dreary retirement?" "The silver hand given to you by the Count of Saint-Florentin." "Saint-Florentin?" "Saint-Florentin?" "It is to him that I owe my disgrace, my exile, my ruin, and the loss of my hopes and dreams." "He had promised me mountaintops and miracles." "Honour, fortune, and a bright future." "And even his hand." "His hand of flesh and bone." "And he wouldn't dream of, nor did he want, to get rid of that vile harpy who ate away at him." "Now, thanks to his misconduct, which I no longer profit from, I'm not allowed..." "Madam." "Would you have any idea as to the whereabouts of the hand?" "Is this an important case?" "It is, my Lady." "That hand..." "Does it still elude you?" "Yes, my Lady." "The Count of Saint-Florentin claims to have left it with you." "Saint-Florentin is a liar, who can go to hell." "It has been a long time since he enjoyed my company." "Then do you confirm to not have it in your possession?" "My tastes do not favour that sort of object." "Did you not also come here to lead yourself astray, Marquis?" "You seem to have rode for a long time, and vigorously." "Who would chastise you for a moment's abandon?" "Nobody, my Lady." "Nobody." "That young Marquis, he's a handsome thing." "As for you, I don't know... but as for me, I'd make him one of my regulars." "Chambonas, the scandal is soon to erupt." "Couldn't we consider moving things along?" "We're working on it." "We're working on it." "The Lady closely resembles the picture others paint of her." "And the Count, like any good politician, has a knack for mixing truth and lies." "Maybe they tried to kill you for something you've yet to find out... which, however, is quite clear." "Send for our friend Sanson, Bordeau." "Put their legs in first." "We'll make sure they're strapped into the frames." "Once we've separated the knee from the kneecap and the feet from the ankles with two solid planks, we insert two wedges." "Wooden wedges for the women, and iron wedges for the men." "It would be best not to spare the mallet." "Why such cruelty, sir?" "I am injured." "Right now, you're injured." "Soon, you'll be crippled." "Yes, this questioning has consequences we cannot remedy, but this doesn't much concern us." "I know nothing, I can't tell you anything." "Well..." "Who's going first, Nicolas?" "The injured man." "No!" "No!" "No!" "No!" " No!" " Stop, Commissioner!" "Missery is telling the truth!" "How can you corroborate this?" "Long before he was Pindron's lover, he was mine." "He still had some affection for me." "Mercy!" "Have mercy!" "Carry on, please." "That night, he took me to his room, after failing to "rise to the occasion", which I attributed to his business with Pindron." "Under the pretext of giving him some aphrodisiacs, out of spite, I had him ingest the powerful sleeping medicine the Duchess often uses." "He fell unconscious almost immediately." "In his room?" "Fully dressed?" "That smell which fouled his breath, that odd drowsiness." "It seems very likely." "It all fits." "If Pindron wasn't meeting him, then who was it?" "You know, don't you?" "Mercy!" "Mercy!" "Don't tell!" "They'll kill us both!" "If you don't talk, you'll both be dead!" "Who is he?" "His name is Eudes Duchamplan." "He is Jean Missery's brother-in-law and partner-in-crime." "No swindle, vice nor perversion is unknown to him." "Eudes Duchamplan?" "And where could we find this man, Madam?" "Commissioner." "I order you to stop this interrogation at once!" "This shouldn't be, it's against all the rules, which, under my authority, will not be broken by anybody!" "Release this poor soul at once, as well as this women and your other unlucky victim." "As for you..." "How should I deal with your attitude?" "You break all the rules and insult our laws!" "Sir, f I had used the device in question, it's because it wouldn't have helped me!" "That being said, your sudden interruption to a place you barely frequent leads me to believe you were warned, by whom, sir?" "You go too far!" "I'm guessing the Count of Saint-Florentin or his wife, the Duchess de la Vrillière, who have cause to hinder my case." "That's enough!" "You've crossed the line!" "What you say doesn't surprise me in the least." "From the start, you've only ever acted to dismiss me and put me off the scent, devoted in your disdain." " You forget yourself..." " I'm telling the truth!" "If you want to take me off the case, say so." "If you want me to quit the police, say so!" "Le Floch will leave then!" "The Marquis of Ranreuil will go hunt for deer!" "Good day, sir!" "The King told me he was counting on me to finish." "When he asks me about the inquiry," "I'll tell him he can no longer, because of your orders, rely on his commission for extraordinary affairs." " Good day, sir!" " Le Floch!" "You are truly an honest man!" "Perhaps a bit brutal, but enough of that!" "Who else would dare talk to me like you just did?" "With such arrogance!" "Did you ever dare cross my predecessor?" "Yes, in fact." "He earned the right to a few choice words as well." "Lieutenant-General, time is against us." "Because of you, the chase has begun, and our quarry has been forewarned." "Rest assured, I will keep you informed." "Good day, sir." "That was a bold move, Nicolas, the chap could have gone to ground." "Yes, but as petulant and shady as he is, the chap is not lacking in common sense." "We resume duties, don't we?" "We do, yes." " And our decoys?" " I anticipated this..." "Before letting them get far, I kept them on a short leash." "Rabouine's men are on their trial." "Perfect." "We know that the valet," "Provence, has returned to Saint-Florentin House." "As for the other two, Lady Gouet and Sir Missery, they seem to have left together, arm in arm, supporting each other, to a destination we should hasten to discover." "It also seems they want to talk to you." "Come here..." "Much like your world, Commissioner, the world of gallantry has its own rules and customs." "We detest and warn against certain deviations." "What kinds of deviations, my Lady?" "You won't see any useless compassion here." "The girls are, shall we say, the base of our business." "If they go missing or are damaged, we're in trouble." "Come." "In certain circles, people are committing cruel practices that we would not tolerate." "Vice seeking help against other vices?" "That's intriguing." "Could you tell me the catch?" "Not long ago, a dandy came into my house, making no secret of his means or his friends." "Warned about him by the girls who knew his abuses, he was soon ejected." "What was his name?" " His name was Eudes Duchamplan." " I see." "He's equal parts man and woman, who throws gold about like others sow discord." "He's just like the Marquis of Chambonas." "Our officers are no match for yours." "I don't take this lightly, sir." "The man you're looking for is a monster." "Yes?" "Sir!" "You've changed your mind?" "Not at all, sir!" "The birds might have returned to the nest." " Miss?" " Sir." "Are you mad?" "These streets are not safe." "I've nothing to fear, you're in the police." "What are you doing in Paris?" "I don't have to tell you!" "We're not married, and even if we were, would I have to?" "It was a pleasure to see you again." "No offense, Nicolas, no offense." "That affair doesn't seem overly unpleasant." "The maître d'hôtel and the woman went into the house you see in front of you." "They haven't come back out." "Perfect, Rabouine, perfect." "Get back." "Does this mean you do like me, Nicolas?" "Shut up!" "Man or woman, there are clothes for an entire regiment." "Or even a brothel." "The woman will have been taken God knows where..." "To the Marquis of Chambonas, at his house in Montparnasse." "Yes, but he is well protected." "Jean Missery has been murdered." "The Duchess' personal aide," "Eugénie Gouet, has been taken." "I can assure you, this is a plot that looks to act against you." "Your downfall could be imminent." "Who took her?" "Your son-in-law, of sorts." "Your illegitimate son-in-law." "What can you tell me about the Marquis of Chambonas?" "You need to stay away from him." "That man is most poisonous." "He has killers in his employ, keep your distance." "His protections are as hidden as they are indeed formidable." "I am innocent of everything," "Commissioner." "I lack your hand to fully prove your innocence." "Obviously, that silver hand follows me with special cruelty." "Failing this proof, I'd be happy to know one thing..." "I'm listening, sir." "One word would be enough to exonerate you in my eyes and those of the King's judicial courts." "All it would take is for you to clearly answer this question, my Lord." "Where were you at the time of the death of Marguerite Pindron?" "Must I pay the price of my silence a hundredfold?" "Nothing will ever make me reveal what I want to keep to myself." "Leave me." "In this instance, I even doubt Mr Sartine's position." "He hinted to me that he was supporting Choiseul, and all those who share the opinion of getting rid of Saint-Florentin would be met with his approval." "This girl goes by the name of "La Roussillon"." "She wants to enter into the King's service." "That wouldn't seem to pose too much of a problem." "What's more, her conscience is increasingly troubled by the goings-on in certain circles..." "Well, it's not her conscience that's troubled then!" "Come, sit down." "Talk." "Two of my sisters disappeared after some filthy animal invited them to one of his parties." "What filthy animal would this be?" "He goes by the name of Scipion." "Scipion again!" "The Marquis of Chambonas!" "Where are these parties?" "At private homes, hidden places, or at the docks, in the underground warehouses." "Never in the same place." "They say they kill the poor girls who've reached the age when nobody will look for them." "Do you know when the next party will be?" "This evening, after midnight." "Here's your pass, sir." "A half of the Queen of Hearts, stolen from a party-goer, who has been knocked out." "Is everything in place?" "My men and yours have surrounded the building." "They can certainly get in, but not get out." "Right now, take care, sir." "Give up, Nicolas, this is folly." "That's enough, my friend." "We could cordon off this place, and at least gather evidence of the debauchery and the kidnappings..." "That's enough!" "I want that hand!" "Welcome, make yourself comfortable." "Good evening, handsome..." "This way, sir!" "Why don't you show me your talents!" "The man you're after is in the room next door." "He's in gallant company, with some sort of street walker." " Is he alone?" " No." "He's with a man whose eyes freeze your very blood." "Well, it's time for me to get into character and act with convincing enthusiasm, so that your plan might succeed." "Hear them next door?" "They're really going at it!" "That girl is neither lacking in lungs nor impetuosity!" "Damn!" "That whore's screaming is getting me all worked up..." "This one is begging to be tortured, she deserves it for blabbing." "She is begging for it, but perhaps she doesn't understand how we'll do it." "Please, sir, let's skip to the end." "I have to agree with you though... all the begging, the cries and contortions of the victims, not to mention the energy required to do it, you end up getting bored, and even disgusted, with any kind of foreplay!" "Get back!" "You only have one shot." "You'd best not miss." "Don't move, Chambonas!" "Over there!" "Now!" "Nobody gets out, understand?" "Shoot then, but do it properly." "Make sure you kill either one or the other." "Nicolas!" "Nicolas!" "Nicolas!" "Look over there!" "Bring in the accused." "Yes, sir." "When he was caught on the way out, with his hand, so to say, the Marquis of Chambonas didn't hesitate to confess." "That said, being found with an object used to commit vile crimes, he feared..." "That it could be wrongly inferred that I was involved in this!" "Bloody hell!" "Involved?" "You?" "How could that be?" "How could that be, indeed!" "I hate to ask the question, however, the exception proves the rule." "Commissioner Le Floch, wouldn't it be best if Scipion, who I believe is ill disposed to tell the truth, were to undergo some "questioning"?" "Not necessary, sir, not necessary!" "I am abject and vile, but not at all stupid or brave." "Bring me a chair, anything, and I'll tell you everything." "As you suspected, Commissioner," "Eudes Duchamplan is the sole assassin." "I fear at this point it cannot be denied." "Eudes Duchamplan is dead, at the bottom of the river Seine." " What were his motives?" " Who could say." "You couldn't tell what that man was thinking." "You didn't answer me, so "the question" still stands." "Sir?" "Come now, gentlemen!" "It was simply out of revenge, on the part of Aglaé de Cusacque, to compromise the Count of Saint-Florentin." "This makes you the accomplice to at least two murders, Marquis." "But, sir!" "I was just doing as I was told!" "Here, "doing as you're told" carries the crime of complicity." "Come now!" "Talk, Chambonas!" "This is now becoming a political affair." "What happens at a state level can only be heard by certain ears." "Please stay, Inspector." "It will be your duty to take a verbal account." "Verbal account?" "Are you sure about that?" "Certain, sir." "Come on!" "Two different minds came together and they were soon united in a common cause." "My accomplice is a noble of very high standing." "A small man, who puts on a reasonable disguise, with a rare, red head of hair." "His movements are twitchy, and he has a raspy voice." "Do you really wish to know his name?" "You knew, didn't you?" "I knew, I knew." "Not all the details, but the bigger picture did not go unnoticed." "So, a murder attempt against me was merely a detail?" "An attempt that you escaped!" "Take a seat, Commissioner!" "Please." "So, eventually, our dear Chambonas did talk." "At his leisure, yes." "You knew." "And you didn't warn me at all." "Madam de Cusacque's revenge well suited our plans." "We just had to let events unfold." "Take care not to ignore the formidable effects of sex when you mix power with money." "With the Count compromised by a significant scandal, of which the crime at Saint-Florentin House was but the first in a long line of clearly shameful murders, the Count, with his resolve shaking, who would soon be beaten..." "A royal path would open up for your champion," "Mr de Choiseul." "What about your role in all this?" "Enough with that sarcastic tone, Nicolas." "Only Choiseul has the courage, the intelligence, the endurance, and a vision for the state... to drive forward reforms for the monarchy's survival!" "Choiseul is the only line of defence that the King has against the growing perils!" "Unaware of the stakes, you have accomplished your task." "Shame." "Or rather, alas." "You can leave." "Sir, I am most satisfied with your report, not in what it contains, which doesn't shock me at all... but in its precision and the speed it was brought to me," "I see the best in our police force." " Your Majesty." " Sir." "Some of your hair has fallen out." "Perhaps it would be best to return to Chanteloup and to stay there." "Your Majesty." "The Count has gone out, Commissioner." " Did you want to see him?" " Not at all, Madam." "I just wanted to return this to him." "Thank you for rescuing my husband." "I know all his shortcomings, as I know the best of him." "I owe you the truth, Commissioner." "Having known about the crime..." "I used the maître d'hôtel as a smokescreen." "I had understood that, Madam." "I..." "I take it that you're a man capable of keeping a secret?" "Do you know where my husband is right now?" "Would you like to know?" "Did you know that the Marquis of Chambonas has been relegated to his land by order of the King, and he is never to return to the Court nor the city?" "Is that all?" "When will the law be applicable to everyone?" "One day, perhaps." "When your family rule the country!" "Come in." "Sir?" "Madam." "I'm a police commissioner." "All I want is information concerning the man who has just left your home." "Has something happened to him?" "No, no, calm yourself." "Does he often visit you?" "Every evening." " Every evening?" " Yes." " Without fail?" " Yes." "And this man, what does he do, and what is his name?" "His name is Charles Gobelet, he works at Châtelet." " Charles Gobelet?" " Yes." "And how do you know him?" "He's my friend." "He gives us so much love and attention, you would find it touching." "This is our child." "There's no need to make a big deal... out of my visit to your friend." "It'll be like a little secret between us both." "Thank you, sir." "Madam." "Why hide from the world such a sweet and happy pairing?" "He has children from a first marriage who wouldn't accept learning about this." "He takes so many precautions, it's like he feels threatened." "No, it's not that." "Madam." "Sir." "Well?" "Sorry, I can't tell you anything." "I don't know where a man's truth lies." "Whether it's in his disorder or his garden of innocence, preserved from sin." "Go!" "SUBTITLES:" "RED BEE MEDIA FRANCE"