"Our investigations have but just begun," Lépine pointed out. "They will be continued without pause. I will conduct them in person. No circumstance, however trivial, will be overlooked."
"I know you are a good man, Lépine," said the Minister wearily; "I know there is none more clever. But something more than cleverness is needed here—we need genius, inspiration." He stopped abruptly and rose from his chair. "I am sure you will do your best. Remember, if there is any discovery, I am to be told at once."
Pigot, who had been standing with lips compressed, undergoing a violent inward struggle, at last managed to open them.
"I have a man outside," he said, as though repeating a lesson, "who requests an audience with M. Delcassé. He asserts that La Liberté was blown up by the Germans, and that he can prove it."
Delcassé whirled as on a pivot and stared at the speaker.
"But, name of God!" he stammered, barely able to speak for excitement, "why have you not introduced this man at once? Why have you wasted our time...."
He stopped and took a rapid turn up and down the room. When he spoke again, his voice was quite composed.
"Introduce the man at once," he commanded.
"I think it would be well," said Pigot tonelessly, "that M. Delcassé should first be informed as to the name and character of this man."