"Is she in need of saving?" queried Lépine, ironically.
Crochard's eyes gleamed; then, in a moment, his anger passed.
"Delcassé believes so; Lépine does not: behold the difference between a great man and a clever one," he said, and looked at Lépine with pity in his eyes.
"Well, yes," said the Prefect; "I admit it; I make no claim to greatness. I perceive no danger—nor, for the matter of that, does M. Delcassé."
Crochard looked at him for a moment.
"Let me see the registration slip from the Prefecture," he said, at last.
Without a word, Lépine got out his pocket-book, produced the slip, and handed it to his companion.
Crochard studied it closely.
"You have, of course, remarked the German 'S,'" he said, at last "I thought so. Now the telegram which arrived too late."
Lépine passed it over obediently.