"Insatiable Love"

Comte Felix Ernest de Segalai, scion of an ancient Provencal family, was often to be seen in the vicinity of the French Ministries and the Chambre des Deputes.

His aristocratic bearing and dignified appearance impressed all those who came in contact with him. An enquirer, struck with the man's knowledge, would often terminate a brief conversation by politely asking for his position and name. "Inspector of the Secret Police, Comte de Segalai," he would answer. And the enquiring visitor would walk away, more than ever impressed.

Last week, he arrived at the Chambre with a squad of men who took possession of the place on instructions from their Chief. "We are here," said the Comte, "to watch over M. Painleve's [President of the Chambre] safety, which is in grave peril." For three days, he and his brave men protected the person of M. Painleve. So powerful was he, that Deputes obeyed his orders. So meticulous was he in carrying out his duty, that he inspected the food being cooked in the kitchen of the Chambre restaurant "to see if it were poisoned." He was a model of devotion, a paragon of a Secret Police inspector.

On the fourth day ... he was arrested! The charge preferred against him was: "usurping public functions." It was said that he was demented and had "an insatiable love for public offices with high functions."