the chance of revenging
himself on his mortal enemy! There, what did I say? The idea of hurling
Daubrecq into the bottomless pit appeals to him. Come, we've won the
rubber."

Prasville was opening a small inner door which led to the office of his
private secretary.

He gave an order aloud:

"M. Lartigue, telephone to the Elysee and say that I request the favour
of an audience for a communication of the utmost importance."

He closed the door, came back to Clarisse and said:

"In any case, my intervention is limited to submitting your proposal."

"Once you submit it, it will be accepted."

A long silence followed. Clarisse's features expressed so profound a
delight that Prasville was struck by it and looked at her with attentive
curiosity. For what mysterious reason did Clarisse wish to save Gilbert
and Vaucheray? What was the incomprehensible link that bound her to
those two men? What tragedy connected those three lives and, no doubt,
Daubrecq's in addition?

"Go ahead, old boy," thought Lupin, "cudgel your brains: you'll never
spot it! Ah, if we had asked for Gilbert's pardon only, as Clarisse
wished, you might have twigged the secret! But Vaucheray, that brute of
a Vaucheray, there really could not be the least bond between Mme. Mergy
and him.... Aha, by Jingo, it's my turn now!... He's watching me ... The
inward soliloquy is turning upon myself... 'I wonder who that M. Nicole
can be? Why has that little provincial usher devoted himself body and
soul to Clarisse Mergy? Who is that old bore, if the truth were known? I
made a mistake in not inquiring... I must look into this.... I must
rip off the beggar's mask. For, after all, it's not natural that a man
should take so much trouble about a matter in which he is not directly
interested. Why should he also wish to save Gilbert and Vaucheray?
Why? Why should he?..." Lupin turned his head away. "Look out!... Look
out!... There's a notion passing through that red-tape-merchant's skull:
a confused notion which he can't put into words. Hang it all, he mustn't
suspect M. Lupin under M. Nicole! The thing's complicated enough as it
is, in all conscience!..."

But there was a welcome interruption. Prasville's secretary came to say
that the audience would take place in an hour's time.

"Very well. Thank you," said Prasville. "That will do."

And, resuming the interview, with no further circumlocution, speaking
like a man who means to put a thing through, he declared: