And again Lépine shook his head.
"What can I suggest!" he protested. "Where you have failed, what is there I can do?"
The knife snapped in Delcassé's fingers, and he hurled the fragments to the floor.
"There is one thing you can do," he said. "Find Crochard and bring him to me."
Lépine arose instantly.
"I will do my best," he said, reaching for his hat. "If he is in France, rest assured...."
There was a tap at the door, and it opened softly.
"I am not to be disturbed!" snapped the Minister, and then he stopped, staring.
For there appeared on the threshold the immaculate figure, the charming and yet impressive countenance, for a sight of which the great Minister had been longing; and then his heart leaped suffocatingly, for with the first figure was a second—a man with white hair and flaming eyes and thin, eager face....
As Delcassé sprang to his feet, Crochard stepped forward.