Philippe said, bringing the words out very quickly:
"Monsieur le ministre, Private Baufeld had relations on this side of the frontier. His desertion was prepared, backed up. He knew the safe road which he was to take."
"Through whom did he know it?"
Philippe lowered his head and, with half-closed eyes, whispered:
"Through my father!"
"That's not true!" shouted old Morestal, purple with rage. "That's not true! I prepare ... I!..."
"Here is the paper which I found in Private Baufeld's pocket," said Philippe, handing a sheet of note-paper to Le Corbier. "It gives a sort of plan of escape, the road which the fugitive is to follow, the exact spot at which he is to cross the frontier so as to avoid the watchers."
"What are you saying? What are you daring to say? A correspondence between me and that wretch!"
"The two words, 'Albern Path,' are in your hand-writing, father, and it was through the Albern Path that the deserter entered France. The sheet is a sheet of your own note-paper."