"You are mistaken. You will conduct me to M. Delcassé. You cannot conduct me to the Prefecture, Pigot; I will not allow it!"
"Allow it!" sneered Pigot, and pressed forward.
"Fool!" hissed Crochard in his ear. "Thick-headed fool! Have you learned no wisdom yet? I would smite you, Pigot, but that I have need of you. Listen! I and only I can save France! I demand that you take me to M. Delcassé."
Pigot felt himself waver; a vague uneasiness stirred within him as he met his companion's flaming gaze.
"On what pretext can I introduce you to M. Delcassé?" he asked at last.
"You will leave me outside the door," said Crochard rapidly, almost in a whisper. "You will go in to M. Delcassé alone; you will say to him, 'Sir, I have outside a man who asserts that La Liberté was blown up by the Germans, and that he can prove it!' Then let M. Delcassé decide whether or not he will receive me!"
Pigot was staring at the speaker with distended eyes.
"By the Germans!" he repeated, hoarsely. "By the Germans!"
Crochard answered with an impatient pressure of the arm.
"You are wasting time," he said.