rose and, with an almost imperceptible nod to Lepine,
entered the last car. The Prefect followed him, and a few minutes
later, they were closeted together in a compartment, where, at a word
from his superior, Inspector Pigot had joined them.

"And now," began Delcasse, when the door was closed and the train had
started again, "tell me what you think of this affair, Lepine."

The little grey man spread his hands wide with a gesture of
helplessness.

"At this moment I know no more than you, sir," he answered; "probably
not so much. By morning, I shall have a report ready for you."

"We shall not arrive until after midnight," the Minister pointed out.

"Nevertheless, my report will be ready, sir," said Lepine, quietly.
"Between midnight and dawn there are six hours."

Delcasse looked at him. He knew that this little man never made an empty
promise.

"Did you go through the papers at the time of the _Jena_ disaster?" he
asked.

"I did, sir. I assisted the investigating board."

"You are, then, familiar with the theories in that case?"

"There were four theories," answered Lepine. "The first was that the
ship had been blown up by treachery; that is always the first thought!
But in the case of the _Jena_, it was quickly discovered that treachery
was impossible, unless it was that of the highest officers, for only
they had access to her magazines. That was unthinkable, for all of them
had served France for many years. More than half of them were killed. I
myself investigated the life of every one of these men, for it was
necessary to be absolutely certain--but not a breath could be raised
against them."

"And the second theory?"

"That there had been carelessness of some sort. That, too, was
disproved, for no one had entered the magazines for many hours previous
to the explosion. It is a rule of the service that, except when in use,
the keys of all magazines shall be in keeping of the commander, who is
responsible for them. At the inquiry, the commander of the _Jena_
testified that the keys had not left his possession during the two days
preceding the accident. There had been no occasion to enter the
magazines during that time. The _Jena_, you will remember, was at anchor
in Toulon harbour, just as the _Liberte_ was."

Delcasse glanced at his companion keenly.

"Does that fact suggest nothing to you, Lepine?" he asked.

"Nothing, sir," said Lepine firmly. "I have thought of it all day, and I
can see in it no