Baradier walked excitedly about the room, then, returning to his brother-in-law, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said in trembling tones— “You are right! I believe I am losing my senses. Pardon me, this anxiety has completely overwhelmed me. We have only Marcel, Graff. Think of what would become of us, if destiny willed it that—” Graff rose quickly from his seat. “Not another word! It is unlucky to predict disaster. We must not even admit that there is a disaster at all. Still, I cannot blame Marcel for doing what he considers his duty. Did he act otherwise, he would be neither a Baradier nor a Graff. He is acting very courageously. All the same we must keep watch over him, and defend him against his own folly.” At that moment, a knock was heard at the study door. Baradier went to open it, and seeing Baudoin on the threshold, said— “Ah! You have come at the right moment. First of all, tell us how things are going at the courts.” “Everything is at a standstill, sir. The examining magistrate can find nothing. The culprits have left a vacuum behind them.” “Well?” “Well, M. Mayeur, in despair, unable to arrest the criminals, is simply stopping all investigations, and shelving the affair.” “That’s a fine idea! Is it his own?” “No, sir.” “What fool could have suggested such a course?” “I did.” “I congratulate you. Now, the rascals who have killed your master, believing themselves sure of impunity, will recommence—” “I am relying on their doing so!” “But! Marcel? My son! What is to become of him? Have you even thought of such a thing?” “I have thought of nothing else. Here I am free. If you will allow me, I will leave Paris this very night, and be at Ars about midnight. The news of the affair being abandoned will not appear in the journals for a couple of days. I shall have organized my surveillance by that time. I promise you nothing shall happen to M. Marcel, or, at any rate, they will have to begin with me.” “Very reassuring!” growled Baradier. “But what can one do with such a madman as my son? He is in danger everywhere. Ah, the cursed powder! What need had Trémont to tell him of his inventions? If this explosive is as dangerous to those against whom it is used as it is to its inventors, there will be fine butcheries the next war.” Baudoin philosophically paid no heed to these paternal recriminations. He understood how correct they were, but could he do more than devote himself to the defence of him who might at any time, be so gravely threatened? When M. Baradier finally sat down, in consternation, Graff decided to speak in his turn. “After all,” he said, “as the wine is drawn, we must drink it. The thing to guard against is not to poison one’s self with it. Forewarned is forearmed. The situation is not the same as it was for the General. With a little prudence it will be easy to make everything turn out right. Patience brings all things about.”