“Yes, General.”
“Good day. Come in, Vallenot.”
Baudoin left the room. The Minister returned to his study, where the young Captain Rimbert stood waiting.
“Colonel, will you kindly make out a resumé of the Espurzheim and Vicomte de Fontenailles affairs. I believe we are on the point of laying our hands on this crafty woman who so completely tricked all my predecessors, and mystified myself two years ago. Ah! If I can have my revenge it shall be a complete one!”
“Then we have to deal with the woman who has successively borne the name of Madame Ferranti, with Espurzheim, . . . ” said the Colonel.
“And of Countess de Vervelde, with poor Fontenailles,” added Captain Rimbert.
“And finally of La Ténébreuse,” summed up the Minister.
“Oh! What trouble and money the wretch has cost us without our succeeding in laying hands on her!”
“Well, gentlemen, we will try not to fail this time. Prepare the notes I requested, Colonel. And you, Captain Rimbert, not a word!”
Both Colonel and Captain left the room. The Minister rubbed his hands with satisfaction. Meanwhile Baudoin had made his way along the quays, and reached the Law Courts as four o’clock was striking. Crossing the large entrance hall, he mounted to the second floor, and stopped in front of M. Mayeur’s study. The attendant was an old friend of his, and welcomed him cordially—