is tracks as Juve had
taught him how to do. He had time to spare before returning to
barracks. He entered a small cafe and ordered a drink.

"Behold me one of the precious spy circle of Verdun," thought he. "I
must make the most of my privileges."

His glass remained untouched while he sat thinking long and deeply.

XVI

AT THE ELYSEE BALL

The ball was in full swing. There was a crush in the brilliantly
lighted reception-rooms of the Elysee. Prominent members of
Parliament, diplomats, officers naval and military, representatives of
the higher circles of commerce, and finance, rubbed shoulders with the
undistinguished, at the official reception given in honour of Japan's
new ambassador, Prince Ito. The prince was stationed in the centre of
the inmost drawing-room, gorgeously arrayed in his national costume, a
delicate smile on his lips as he watched the President's guests with
bright shrewd eyes, while music from an invisible Hungarian band
floated on the air.

In this particular room two men were in earnest conversation: Colonel
Hofferman and Lieutenant de Loubersac.

"Well, Lieutenant, I have been too pressed for time to-day to see you ...
but, Heaven knows, I have not forgotten for a moment the matter I entrusted
to you.... They are causing me the greatest anxiety."...

"I can well understand that, Colonel."...

"Anything new?"

"No, Colonel.... That is to say--I ought to say 'No' to you."...

"What the devil do you mean?" The colonel stared at his junior a
moment; then, taking him by the arm, said in a confidential tone:

"Let us take a turn in the garden, it is not cold.... We had better
have our talk away from such a collection as this ... one does not
know who or what one's neighbours may be."

"Right, Colonel, prudence is the mother of surety."

The colonel shrugged.

"I have no desire to pun, but since you speak of La Surete,[4] I
cannot help noticing that they are blundering terribly over these very
affairs. Confound those clumsy fools and their meddling! They will
interfere with things which are no concern of theirs--not in the
slightest!"

[Footnote 4: La Surete-Scotland Yard detective service.]

"Are they still investigating?"

"No. The warning I myself administered to their famous Juve has taught
them a lesson. They are keeping quiet at present. Plague take the lot
of them!... It makes me furious when I think what happened the other
day--creating a scandal about things the p