“Then I am to make his acquaintance?” “Certainly.” “In what way?” “Listen. As soon as I learned that I could leave Paris I rushed off to the Minister to explain what I wanted to do, and asked him, if he wished the affair to succeed, to give me permission that you should come down to Ars whenever I need you.” “I must have permission first.” “You have only to see Colonel Vallenot, who has received instructions, and he will give you your papers.” “Good. And what shall I have to do afterwards?” “According to circumstances. It is my firm conviction that the catastrophe of which my poor master has been the victim, is nothing but the beginning of a drama. Many important events will take place, and we must arrange so as to prevent them from being harmful to the intended victims. Serious interests are at stake. We shall probably have to deal with matters that are anything but attractive. But then, afterwards, everything will be cleared up. We must succeed. By the way, you must know how to disguise yourself.” Laforêt smiled. “Do not be uneasy on that score. I will be there at the rendezvous you appoint; but I will not vouch for your recognizing me when you see me.” “That is all right, then. Unfortunately, I am not to be relied upon for playing a double _rôle_. But I can well maintain my own, which will be that of a watch-dog.” “Then everything is settled?” “So it seems. When I have a communication to make I will send my letter to the Ministry.” “Very good. Now let us get back.” Mounting the stone staircase, they reached the quay, and took leave of one another. Laforêt made his way towards the Rue Saint Dominique; Baudoin crossed the Pont de la Concorde, and returned to the Rue de Provènce by the Rue de Richelieu and the boulevards. Messieurs Baradier and Graff were in their office, along with the cashier of the firm, who was making inquiries concerning the collection of debts. The cashier was saying— “Do you know, gentlemen, that the ‘Commercial Explosives’ Company,’ of which M. Lichtenbach is chairman, is on its last legs? The shares have gone down considerably. It seems that there is an American company competing with them.” “Yes, so I have heard,” said Graff. “The Americans have found a product of very simple composition, costing fifty per cent. less than dynamite. They have already taken very large orders for Australia and South Africa. That is the reason of the fall of the Lichtenbach Company.” “Do not be uneasy, Bernard,” said Baradier to his cashier. “It will not affect Lichtenbach, but his shareholders. You have no more letters to be signed?” “No, sir.” “Well, then, you may go now. Good night.” “Good night, gentlemen.” Baradier rose from his seat, and stood with his back to the fire.