“Then you have not lost all hope?” “Why should I?” “The deuce!” “Ah! my friend, success often comes at the very time you think everything is lost.” “You magistrates are very lucky; it is not so in the Army. When you expect Grouchy it is always Blucher who comes!” “Well, we shall see.” “What do you intend to do?” “Let the whole affair slide for some time. It is too premature to do anything yet.” “In other words, you are shelving it?” “Yes, I am shelving it provisionally.” “Then you abandon the whole affair?” The magistrate looked gravely at Vallenot and, to the profound amazement of his clerk, said humbly— “I do, if no fresh incident happens.” “Have I to inform the Minister of this?” “Please do so. Tell him I am sorry, and wish I could have done better. That has been impossible. Still all is not lost, in my opinion. We shall see at a later date.” The Colonel stood there rather disconcerted by this unexpected solution, and as he took his leave he shook his head, saying— “A pleasant message you send me with. I shall be received like a dog in a game of skittles.” “Nonsense! You are the favourite. I am off to the Government agent. He will not grumble; on the contrary, he will poke fun at me. Still no matter. He laughs best who laughs last!” Shaking the Colonel by the hand, he conducted him to the passage, and returned to his office. He signed several sheets of paper handed to him by his clerk. The latter, devoured by curiosity, said— “Then the matter is really finished, sir! Are you giving it up?” “One cannot do what is impossible,” said Mayeur, negligently. “A house cannot be built without scaffolding. Here we have no grounds to work upon. I am not strong enough to invent what I am ignorant of. It is already difficult enough to obtain benefit from certain proof.” A look of pity came over the clerk’s countenance. So long as the magistrate had manifested a tranquil assurance of success he had, in his conscience, violently criticized him. Now that his master showed himself modest and simple he disdained him. Nothing but a poor fellow, after all, who was very lucky when things went well, but gave up the struggle at the very first difficulties. “Just put away that brief into my case. I am going to the Public Prosecutor’s office,” said the magistrate. “Afterwards you may go; it is five o’clock. I will see you to-morrow morning.” Colonel Vallenot, meanwhile, was rolling away in a cab in the direction of the Ministry. On entering his chief’s ante-chamber he came across Baudoin, who was leaving the Minister’s cabinet. Stopping him, he said— “You have just seen the General?” “Yes, Colonel.” “Is he in a good temper?” “Yes, Colonel. You had better hurry, sir, if you wish to find him in.” “What! He is going out?” “I heard him say that he was going to the Chamber.” “You had something to ask him, Baudoin?” “No, Colonel. I wished simply to speak to him of the affair of General Trémont.” “In what respect?”