"Though, since I have eyes, I can see that for myself," added the Minister. "Why did you wish to see me?"
"I wished to see you, sir," answered Crochard, suddenly serious, "because I have long recognised in you the only man whom France possesses who sees clearly the struggle which is ahead of her, who prepares ceaselessly for that struggle, and who is strong enough to guide her through it triumphantly."
"To what struggle do you refer?" inquired the Minister, but his shining eyes belied his careless tone.
"The struggle to regain possession of Alsace-Lorraine and to avenge ourselves upon the nation which once humiliated us."
A slow flush crept into Delcassé's cheeks, and his lips tightened.
"You foresee such a struggle?" he asked.
"As clearly as you do yourself, sir."
"Well, yes!" cried Delcassé, and smote the arm of his chair a heavy blow. "I do foresee such a struggle—I have never denied it; and for twenty years I have laboured to prepare for it. You can understand, then, what a blow it is to me—how terrible, how disheartening—to have all my calculations blasted by such accidents as that of to-day!"
"Pardon me, sir," said Crochard, in a low tone, "but the destruction of La Liberté was not an accident!"
"You assert that?"