He jerked around to see Vard fallen forward above the table, while about his hands played those livid tongues of fire....
Half an hour before midnight of that day, a man, roughly dressed, with a stubble of beard masking his face, appeared at the Ministry of Marine, was passed at once by the guard at the entrance and made his way quickly to the office of M. Delcassé. He tapped at the door, which was instantly opened by the Minister himself.
"Ah, Marbeau," he said, quietly. "Come in. We have failed, then?"
"Yes, we have failed," groaned Marbeau, and sank into a chair.
Delcassé touched him gently on the shoulder.
"Do not take it so much to heart," he said. "There was something wrong, perhaps. We can try again—"
"No, we cannot try again," and Marbeau's face was piteous.
"Vard is not captured!"
"No; he is dead."