"Monsieur Annion," he replied at length, "there is just one method of procedure in this case. The assassination of Susy d'Orsel, the question of this imposture, in fact all these mysterious points which have arisen cannot be cleared up in Paris." "What the devil do you mean, Juve?" "I mean that in all probability the threads of this intrigue lead to Hesse-Weimar, to the capital of the kingdom, to Glotzbourg. And, if you have no objection, I will start for there this evening." "Go, go," replied M. Annion; "perhaps you are right ... anyhow, don't forget to take letters of introduction with you." "Oh, don't worry about that. I can get all I want from my colleague." "Your colleague?" "Yes, from this excellent Wulf." CHAPTER XII CAMOUFLAGE "Come in and sit down, Monsieur Wulfenmimenglaschk." The Marquis de Serac led the way into his study. He was a powerfully built, white-haired man, in the sixties, still active, with a slightly tired voice, a typical man of the world in his manners and dress. Very embarrassed, Wulf bowed and bowed: "I am confused, Monsieur. Quite confused ... I ..." "Not at all, Monsieur Wulf; now take off your overcoat, sit down and smoke a cigar. I assure you it's a great pleasure for me to talk to anyone coming from Hesse-Weimar. I left the court when I was very young, and I should be a stranger in Glotzbourg to-day; still I remember my very good friends there ... but never mind that now, we have more important subjects to discuss, Monsieur Wulf, and I'm sure you are in a hurry." "Oh, not at all; I am only too happy and too proud ..." "Yes, yes, Paris is a city of temptations, and I won't take too much of your time. First of all let me explain that I only received your letter yesterday, as I happened to be out of town. You state that I am in a position to render you a great service; this I shall be delighted to do as soon as you tell me what it is." Wulf began a long and rambling story to the effect that upon leaving Glotzbourg for Paris, on his special mission to the King, he had conceived the idea of writing to the Marquis de Serac, whom he knew to be an intimate friend of the King, to give him a letter of introduction to His Majesty. "But now I don't need it," he ended, "for the King is my best friend ... he received me with charming simplicity, just like an old comrade." "Alas, my dear Wulf, His Majesty is at present exposed to the most terrible danger." "What do you mean?" "You have doubtless heard of the tragic death of Mlle. Susy d'Orsel, the King's mistress, which, by a curious coincidence, occurred in this very house?" "I know! I know!" "Well, perhaps you also know that among the King's enemies, some dare to accuse him of having killed Mlle. Susy d'Orsel?" "Oh! Such people ought to be cut in pieces." "Alas, Monsieur Wulf, we are not yet in a position to avenge His Majesty. You don't happen to know who the real murderer is, do you?"