Speed leaned forward and said: “Scarlett, my friend, the Foreign Division of the Imperial Military Police is not in favor just now. It appears the Foreign Division is suspected.”
“Suspected? Of what?”
“Treason, I suppose,” said Speed, serenely.
I felt my face begin to burn, but the astonishing news left me speechless.
“I said,” observed Speed, “that the Foreign Division is suspected; that is not exactly the case; it is not suspected, simply because it has been abolished.”
“Who the devil did that?” I asked, savagely.
“Mornac.”
Mornac! The Emperor’s shadow! Then truly enough it was all up with the Foreign Division. But the shame of it!—the disgrace of as faithful a body of police, mercenaries though they were, as ever worked for any cause, good or bad.
“So it’s the old whine of treason again, is it?” I said, while the blood beat in my temples. “Oh, very well, doubtless Monsieur Mornac knows his business. Are we transferred, Speed, or just kicked out into the street?”
“Kicked out,” replied Speed, rubbing his slim, bony hands together.