e with you, sir," said Lepine, and took his leave.

The Cafe des Voyageurs was crowded when he reached it, and he had some
difficulty in finding a seat. The marines who had been searching the
wreck had, at last, been released from duty, and had, with one accord,
hastened ashore to refresh themselves at the expense of a populace eager
to listen to every detail. The cafe hummed with talk; weird and
revolting stories of the search were told with gusto; the completeness
of the destruction was described; the survivors dwelt upon their
sensations at the moment of the explosion; the heroism of the rescuers
was not forgotten; but, and Lepine noted this with a little sigh of
relief, nowhere was there an intimation that the disaster was other than
an accident.

He sat there for half an hour, listening to all this, and then, as
Crochard made no sign, he summoned the head-waiter and requested a word
with the proprietor. With a nod, as of one who expected the request, the
man turned and again led the way to the door at the rear of the room.

"In there, sir," he said, and closed it when Lepine had entered.

A single candle burned on the table in the centre of the little room,
and beyond it sat a man. At the first glance, in the semi-darkness,
Lepine fancied it was Crochard; then he saw that this man was slighter,
that his face was bloodless, and that he was staring with hunted eyes.

With a little start of surprise, he looked again; then he sat down.

"So, Samson, it is you!" said Lepine, quietly.

"Yes, sir," answered Samson. "I was expecting you. But I did not think
you would recognise me so readily."

Lepine laughed shortly.

"I have a good memory," he said. "Crochard told you, perhaps, that I
might come?"

"Yes, sir; and he directed that I give you this."

He handed Lepine a note. The latter broke the seal, held it to the light
and read it carefully:

"_My dear M. Lepine:_

"I have found it necessary to leave Toulon, in the pursuit of
a certain business, whose nature you can guess. I hope soon
to have good news for M. Delcasse and yourself. Meanwhile, I
would remind you of our agreement as to my friends. Samson
is one of them. He has already been of some service in this
affair, and may be of more. We can discuss his future upon
my return. I will answer for him.

"CROCHARD, L'Invincible!"

Lepine refolded the note and slipped it into his pocket.

"When did C