Graff rose quickly from his seat.
“Not another word! It is unlucky to predict disaster. We must not even admit that there is a disaster at all. Still, I cannot blame Marcel for doing what he considers his duty. Did he act otherwise, he would be neither a Baradier nor a Graff. He is acting very courageously. All the same we must keep watch over him, and defend him against his own folly.”
At that moment, a knock was heard at the study door. Baradier went to open it, and seeing Baudoin on the threshold, said—
“Ah! You have come at the right moment. First of all, tell us how things are going at the courts.”
“Everything is at a standstill, sir. The examining magistrate can find nothing. The culprits have left a vacuum behind them.”
“Well?”
“Well, M. Mayeur, in despair, unable to arrest the criminals, is simply stopping all investigations, and shelving the affair.”
“That’s a fine idea! Is it his own?”
“No, sir.”
“What fool could have suggested such a course?”