“What can Vallenot be doing all the time he has been gone?” muttered the Minister, as he resumed his pacing about the room. “Ah! This is the way I am served!”
Before he could finish, the usher had opened the door, and announced—
“Colonel Vallenot.”
A man of fifty years of age, tall and thin, with blue eyes and light moustache, marched briskly into the room, and, after saluting his superior in friendly wise, said—
“You seem to have lost all patience, General. I found an officer waiting for me at the very door of the War Office. The fact is, this has been anything but a small matter. After all, I have done everything possible—”
“Indeed!” interrupted the Minister, impatiently. “You have just come from Vanves?”
“Yes, General.”
“Alone?”
“No; I took with me one of our cleverest detectives. You had not given me this authorization, but I took upon myself the responsibility.”
“You have done quite right. But are you sure he is trustworthy?”