"Well, what then?"
"Why, it complicates things very awkwardly. How can the President receive, especially incognito, a King who is thought to be an assassin ... you don't know what might be made of it.... This extraordinary Frederick-Christian takes advantage of his impunity. He's had lots of time since the death of Susy to slip quietly back to his own country.... That would have let us out ... instead of which he comes out in the limelight ... gets himself talked about ... a nice time to choose, I must say!"
M. Annion was interrupted by the entrance of a clerk who handed him a visiting card.
"Who is it now?... Ah ... show them in."
"Don't go.... It may be something connected with the King."
The door was opened and the visitors announced:
"M. the Commissaire of Police Giraud—Mlle. Marie Pascal."
"Well, Monsieur Giraud ... take a seat, Mademoiselle ... what have you come about?"
"A very serious business," answered M. Giraud. "I have come to see you after a visit from Mlle. Marie Pascal. She will repeat to you the extraordinary things she has said to me."