“Ah, sir, we have some very fine players. Some of these gentlemen from the Ministry come every evening. M. Trousset, the head clerk, though an amateur, would be a match for the best players in Paris, and even from abroad!” “Indeed! And may one watch the game?” “If you wish, sir, I will carry the beer into the next room.” Baudoin had already entered the billiard-room, which contained two tables. Taking a seat, he looked on. One of the players was a stout, jovial fellow, who accompanied his cannons with stale jokes. The other, a tall, thin dark-complexioned man, was Laforêt himself. Baudoin gave himself a slap on the thigh, took out a cigarette, and exclaimed to the astonishment of his neighbour— “I am lucky this time!” As he was looked at inquisitively, he said no more, but lit a cigarette, and began to sip his beer. The stout player said to his opponent, with a wink— “The balls are in the corner; now for the final!” Whereupon he made a series of seventeen cannons, and missed the eighteenth. Laforêt, without being disconcerted, took up the cue, but only scored five points. His adversary exclaimed— “If I score fifteen now, I win the set.” He won without the slightest effort, turned down his shirt-sleeves, put on his coat, and, holding out his hand to his opponent, said: “No ill feeling?” “None at all. You have played very well, M. Moussin,” said Laforêt. “My revenge next time.” “Whenever you like.” Laforêt, with perfect indifference, approached Baudoin, exclaiming in loud tones— “Waiter, a bitter.” Then, turning towards the General’s servant, he asked— “Are you waiting for me?” “Yes; so you recognized me?” “That is my business. Anything fresh?” “No; all the same, I wish to speak to you.” “Good!” The few loiterers gradually filed out into the other room, which was lighter and more pleasant in appearance. A few players alone remained, and Baudoin and Laforêt found themselves isolated. “You may speak here, no one will pay any attention to us.” “Well! This morning, when I saw you, in the presence of all the others, I had an impression that you were a man to be relied upon, and that, in case it were necessary to appeal to any one concerning something difficult or dangerous, one would run no risk with you of being left in the lurch. Am I mistaken?” “No.” “If I think rightly, you do not work under the same conditions as the agents in the service of the Prefecture, who are entirely allied to the Administration. You are, I suppose, a kind of volunteer of the police, at liberty to give information as you please, consequently free as regards initiative.” Laforêt interrupted him. “If you wish to speak to me on the Vanves affair, I must stop you at once. My principal ordered me not to take any further steps in the matter for the moment. The Public Prosecutor is in possession of the information. Every one to his own department. We shall not take up the matter again, provisionally.”