“What do you want, Monsieur? I have forbidden you the house,” he said sternly.
“I am here on an official matter, Monsieur le Directeur. By order of the Minister,” he said with a snarl.
“An order which concerns me?”
“Which concerns you and mademoiselle too,” said Marescal.
“And which compels you to secure the help of three men?”
Marescal laughed and said: “Goodness, no. That was a mere accident. They were taking a walk this way, we fell into conversation, and they came along with me. There’s nothing to be put out about.”
He entered and caught sight of the two suit-cases.
“Ah, a short journey. What? A minute later and my trouble would have been wasted.” [[199]]
“Monsieur Marescal,” said Bregeac firmly, “if you have a mission to perform—a communication to make to me, make it at once and here.”
“Don’t let’s have a scandal, Bregeac. And don’t let’s have any nonsense. No one knows anything so far, not even my men. Let’s talk things over in your study,” said Marescal in threatening accents.