"But if he is guilty?"
"No one will know it, no one would believe it."
"You know it, you can prove it."
"How can I prove it? The courts are closed against me. And even if they weren't, do you suppose it would be possible to convict the Baron de Heidelmann-Bruck of any crime? Nonsense! He's the most powerful man in France. He controls the banks, the bourse, the government. He can cause a money panic by lifting his hand. He can upset the ministry by a word over the telephone. He financed the campaign that brought in the present radical government, and his sister is the wife of the Prime Minister."
"And he killed Martinez!" added Tignol.
"Yes."
For fully a minute the two men faced each other in silence. M. Paul lighted another cigarette.
"Couldn't you tell what you know in the newspapers?"
"No newspaper in France would dare to print it," said Coquenil gravely.
"Perhaps there is some mistake," suggested the other, "perhaps he isn't the man."