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"My father knew yours in bygone days," he cried genially; "both were natives of Colmar." "Why, is that so, indeed, Colonel?" cried the captain, delighted to find himself among friends. Hofferman nodded. "All will go well, be sure of it. I know you take your work seriously.... We have excellent reports of you you are married, are you not?" Muller nodded in the affirmative.
Colonel Hofferman, misinterpreting the detective's attitude, turned triumphantly to the Under-Secretary: "Not only that," he continued, "I think there has been far too much talk made about the death of Captain Brocq. This officer was the victim of an accident. We cannot discuss it. That is all there is to be said. It really does not matter much.
"No, no! Out of that I got this scar on my forehead." "Well," cried the colonel, "it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good! You will get the cross all the quicker!" Lieutenant de Loubersac smiled. Hofferman continued: "My dear fellow, ... you know ... the vanished document!... It's extremely important it will have to be found!" "Good, Colonel!"
Dancing went gaily on in the warm, perfumed atmosphere of the ball-rooms; but Fandor and Monsieur Havard, Colonel Hofferman and Lieutenant de Loubersac had had their serious interviews and had gone their respective ways. The curtain with its pictured red cock was down, lights were up in the modern Cinema Concert Hall, rue des Poissonniers. Most of the spectators were on the move.
The theory Colonel Hofferman has just put forward will not hold water it does not hang together! To gain a full understanding of a thing one must begin at the beginning. This beginning I have brought, and I make you judge, Monsieur, of whether or no it is worth the most careful consideration." Caught between two fires, the Under-Secretary looked exceedingly sorry for himself.
Juve became silent. He wiped his forehead. The harsh voice of Colonel Hofferman broke the silence: "Hypotheses! True to this extent, Monsieur Juve, that Brocq may very well have had a mistress we are all agreed about that but, in reality, it is simply romance!" There was a discreet knock at the door. "What is it?" demanded the Under-Secretary.
The form of an usher showed itself in the half-opened doorway. He entered, and, turning towards the Under-Secretary, said: "Excuse me, sir." Then, addressing Colonel Hofferman: "Captain Loreuil sends me to tell Colonel Hofferman that he has returned, and has a communication of extreme urgency to lay before him." "The captain must wait!" cried Hofferman, in a harsh, authoritative tone.
He goes to all the entertainments." Steps were heard, some brief words were spoken in the adjacent corridor, an orderly opened the door and saluted. "Captain Muller has arrived, Monsieur!" Extended very much at his ease on a comfortable couch, Colonel Hofferman was polishing his nails, whilst Commandant Dumoulin stood respectfully before him tightly encased in his sober light infantry uniform.
Hofferman continued: "Ah, well, you are to take on the work begun by Captain Brocq.... Now tell me, Captain, what importance do you attach to the orders regarding the roll-call, the mustering and distribution of the mechanics and operatives of the artillery in the various corps from the point of view of mobilisation, that is?" "It is of the very greatest importance, Colonel." "Good!"
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