It's dangerous, very dangerous, Monsieur Fred, to go from a preconceived idea to find the proofs to fit it.

That method may lead you far astray Beware of judicial error, Monsieur Fred, it will trip you up!" And laughing a little, in a slightly bantering tone, his hands in his pockets, Rouletabille fixed his cunning eyes on the great Fred.
Frederic Larsan silently contemplated the young reporter who pretended to be as wise as himself.

Shrugging his shoulders, he bowed to us and moved quickly away, hitting the stones on his path with his stout cane.
Rouletabille watched his retreat, and then turned toward us, his face joyous and triumphant.
"I shall beat him!" he cried.

"I shall beat the great Fred, clever as he is; I shall beat them all!" And he danced a double shuffle.

Suddenly he stopped.