A tap at the door interrupted him.
"Come in," said Delcassé.
His secretary entered, followed by a courier, carrying a portfolio.
"From Paris, sir," said the secretary, and the courier, with a bow, laid the portfolio on the Minister's desk.
Delcassé took from his pocket a tiny key, unlocked the portfolio, drew out a package and glanced at the superscription.
"Ah," he said; "the photographs!" and ripped the package open.
There were some two dozen of them, together with a long typewritten report, which Delcassé glanced through rapidly.
"These are the result of the first report from Berlin," he said, "of officers who are absent from their commands and whose present whereabouts is not definitely known. A supplementary report will follow."
"We can begin with these," said Lépine, and looked them over.
Crochard had risen and was looking at the photographs over the detective's shoulder.