Delcassé was pacing to and fro, his hands behind him.
"Sometimes I doubt, Marbeau," he said. "Sometimes I doubt. The destruction of La Liberté may have been one of those strange coincidences which sometimes happen. And sometimes I hesitate; sometimes I draw back before the idea of this demonstration. For Morocco we no longer need it; I have in my possession a paper which will win that battle for us. But then, when I falter, the thought of France's future nerves me. So I stand aside and let the test proceed. But I warn you again, Marbeau, to be most careful. Do not neglect to provide a way of escape. Failure this time is of little consequence—we can always try again; but under no circumstances must this machine fall into the hands of Germany; and for you and for Vard it must be death before capture. He must not be taken alive."
"I understand, sir," said Marbeau, quietly.
"If you think Strasbourg too difficult, it is not too late to draw back. It was, perhaps, unwise for me to select it."
"The more difficult it is, the more will it dismay the enemy," Marbeau pointed out. "Let us try Strasbourg, at least. If we fail there, we can try again somewhere else."
"Well, I agree. Remember, you are not to spare expense."
"We have had to purchase two houses in order to be quite secure."
"Purchase a dozen, if you need them. The date, you say—"
"Is one week from yesterday."
"And the hour?"