After thanking the latter warmly for an official appointment lately received through his instrumentality, the elder man, an Engineer-in-Chief, M. Vauquelin by name, expressed his surprise at meeting the Minister moving about the streets alone. But Désiré Ferrand made light of his objections: “My dear sir, my temperament is too energetic, my nature too exuberant, to endure a purely sedentary life. I must be up and about and on the move for some hours every day. Very often I go to see friends who live at the farthest extremity of the Boulevard Raspail, and one of my greatest pleasures is to find my way there afoot whenever my duties allow me the time ... yes, on foot and quite alone,” added the Minister, “like any ordinary citizen.” “Alone, quite alone?” protested the other; “however, I take it that is only in a way of speaking, Monsieur le Ministre, for I feel very sure the Prefecture of Police keeps an eye on so exalted a functionary as yourself and that, according to custom, officers of the Criminal Investigation Department assure your personal safety.” “By no means,” protested the Minister, “I am afraid of nobody, and will have no one accompany me.” The old engineer made no reply, but on taking leave of Désiré Ferrand, he shook his head sceptically, pointing to two men who appeared to be following the Minister, but keeping at a respectful distance behind. “And those two?” he queried. Presently, as the Minister was proceeding on his way, he took occasion to glance behind him and noticed that the two individuals pointed out were actually following the same road as himself and seemed to be dogging his steps. The two men were of totally different appearance. The one, dressed in a long frock coat and an old silk hat, was of a common, vulgar type. His companion was a young man wearing a light, well-cut jacket, breeches and a cloth cap. He looked like a cyclist and might have been twenty at the outside. Watching them more carefully, Désiré Ferrand felt convinced they were deliberately shadowing him. This was intolerable, and a few yards short of the intersection of the Rue de Rennes, the Minister came to a sudden halt and challenged the pair: “What do you want, gentlemen,” he demanded, “why do you follow me?” “M. le Ministre,” replied the elder of the two, “we are Inspectors from the Investigation Department; we are instructed by the Prefect of Police to safeguard your person.” Désiré Ferrand looked annoyed. “The Prefect,” he said emphatically, “is over officious; I have no fears, all I want is to be left alone in peace. Be so good as to leave off following me; I will be responsible for the order I now give you to your superiors.” The two bowed deferentially and made a show of turning back the way they had come.