The Minister entered, and as soon as the door was closed he exclaimed—
“Ah, my poor friends! How sad it all is!”
“We cannot get over the shock, Baradier and I,” said Graff, rolling forward an armchair. “Take a seat, General.”
“Who has told you the news?”
“Baudoin, who was sleeping here last night, and came in terrified this afternoon with the dismal tidings. What has happened down there? The whole circumstances are even more serious than the disaster itself. Graff and I have been questioning and discussing with one another, without succeeding in settling the frightful problem.”
“If only Marcel were here!” moaned Uncle Graff. “He would enlighten us. He is so well acquainted with Trémont’s life and habits, his weaknesses.”
“His weaknesses?” asked the Minister. “A woman? Is that what you mean?”
“Yes, General.”
“You are taking the paltry side of the matter,” said the old soldier, firmly. “It is no question of a mere passade. The affair before us is far more than a paltry intrigue. The woman—yes, indeed, she has had a rôle to play. But she has only been the agent, perhaps unwittingly, of an attempt, carefully thought out and boldly executed.”
“With what object?” asked Baradier. “Tell me everything, General. Let us communicate our suspicions to one another, in an attempt to throw light on the affair.”