"In other words, you want us to run away."
"But it's not running away, Monsieur le Préfet. It's a simple precaution.
After all, we can't risk—You, yourself, Monsieur le Préfet—"
"That will do."
"But, Monsieur le Préfet, as Don Luis said—"
"That will do, I say!" repeated the Prefect harshly. "If you're afraid, you can take advantage of the order which I gave you and go off after Don Luis."
Mazeroux clicked his heels together and, old soldier that he was, saluted:
"I shall stay here, Monsieur le Préfet."
And he turned and went back to his place at a distance.
* * * * *
Silence followed. M. Desmalions began to walk up and down the room, with his hands behind his back. Then, addressing the chief detective and the secretary general: