"That is true; but it may mean nothing. There are many Germans who are citizens of the United States."
"Yes; but the German name is Schmidt, not Smith. I conclude that this man is a German, but was trying to conceal it."
"You may be right," Delcassé assented, with a trace of impatience in his manner; "no doubt you are right. Is there anything more?"
"There is one thing," said Lépine, colouring a little, "which I have kept until the last, because it seems to upset M. Crochard's theory."
"What is that?"
Lépine drew two sheets of yellow tissue-paper from his pocket-book.
"An hour after our men left the Hotel du Nord," he said, "a telegram arrived, addressed to this William Smith. Here it is," and he spread out one of the sheets on the desk before the Minister.
Delcassé bent forward eagerly and read:
"William Smith, Hotel du Nord, Toulon, France.
"Our mother requests that you abandon trip, cancel all arrangements, and return at once.