“Order to set aside five hundred thousand francs for his police department.
“Order to enroll in the first Parisian lodge all the cream of literature and philosophy.
“Order to bribe or in some way get a hold on the magistracy, and particularly make sure of the Chief of Police, by bribery, violence or trickery.”
Ferret stopped at this passage, not because the poor man reflected but because he had to wait for the page to dry before he could turn over.
Sartines, being impatient, snatched the sheet from his knees and read it. Such an expression of terror spread over his features at the final paragraph, that it made him turn pale to see himself in the glass. He did not hand this sheet back to the clerk but passed him a clean one.
The man went on with his work, accomplishing it with the amazing rapidity of decipherers when once they hold the key.
Sartines now read over his shoulder.
“Drop the name of Balsamo beginning to be too well known, to take that of Count Fe—— ”
A blot of ink eclipsed the rest of the name.
At the very time when the Police Chief was seeking the absent letters, the out-door bell rang and a servant came in to announce: