“Yes; they try to mystify him, but he is able to defend himself. He knows what he is talking about, and a direct attack always succeeds with Parliamentarians.” “_Imperatoria brevitas_,” sneered the magistrate. After a short pause he asked in honeyed tones— “Have your researches come to a point yet?” The Colonel replied bluntly— “Not at all; they are no further advanced than yours.” M. Mayeur smiled faintly. “Ah, ah! Then we make no progress?” “If I were not afraid of offending you I should say that we were going backwards.” “That appears to be exactly as the matter stands,” said Mayeur, with a look of intelligence. “Ah! Have you obtained some clue at last?” asked Vallenot, perplexed. “I am not in a position to explain, but have patience; a surprise is in store for you.” “How delighted the chief will be! The whole affair has put him in such a nervous condition that the whole staff suffers in consequence. He is never out of a temper; one does not know how to manage him.” “To return to our investigations abroad, what result have they given?” “We have obtained the certainty that, if an attempt has been made to obtain possession of the formulæ of General de Trémont, the Triple Alliance has had nothing to do with it. Ever since the last espionage affair, the different Governments have given orders to their agents to observe the strictest reserve. If there really has been a plot it can only have been made by the English. You are well aware that their artillery is quite out of date, and they are trying to recover ground.” “So there are nothing but suppositions; no proofs?” “None whatever. In Paris, or, at any rate, in France, there are half a dozen women well known for their international intrigues, and who might have been suspected of having acted the _rôle_ of the Baroness with the poor General de Trémont. Those known to have been in France have been strictly watched. Besides, the majority form part of our counter-espionage, and could have informed us, whilst still in the pay of another nation. So far as Hans is concerned, a police report from Lausanne announces the arrival in Geneva of a wounded man, whose arm has been amputated. He is from Baden, and is named Fichter. The accident took place in a wire mill in the neighbourhood of Besançon. Accordingly, he could not be at the same time in the Jura and at Vanves. All the same, the description of him corresponds exactly with that given by Baudoin. If this Fichter is the man we are seeking, the proprietor of the wire mill must have given accommodation certificates, or a substitution must have taken place on the way between the two men. All this is very improbable. So, you see, the matter is involved in greater obscurity than ever.” “Yes, yes,” hummed the magistrate, who appeared so absent-minded that the Colonel looked at him in amazement. “You take all this very calmly!” said Vallenot. “What is the use of getting excited? It never serves any useful purpose.”