United States or Belize ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Juve stopped short, got up, and began pacing the immense room. Drawing up before the Under-Secretary and Colonel Hofferman, he gazed at them. His manner was impressive.
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.
Here are received visitors of mark, who have information of the highest importance to communicate. Here conversations can be freely carried on, for thick window curtains, door curtains and carpet deaden sound. At the extreme end of the corridor is the office of the commander-in-chief, Colonel Hofferman.
Really, the detective service is arrogating to itself more and more powers powers that cannot be sanctioned, that will not be granted or permitted." Juve had so far contained himself, though with difficulty, but now Colonel Hofferman was going too far. It was Juve's turn to break out.
With all the bluntness of a military man, Colonel Hofferman had put his finger on the open wound which for long years had been a source of irritation to the detective force and the intelligence department alike, when, owing to circumstances, both were called on to intervene at one and the same time. In cases of theft and of spying the conflict was ceaseless.
If Captain Brocq had an irregular love affair, it was assuredly with the best intentions; Brocq, who perhaps had not been able to resist his senses, was too straight a man to willingly entertain the idea of not regularising the union later on. Is that your opinion, Colonel?" Hofferman frankly replied: "It is my opinion, Monsieur Juve. That was certainly Captain Brocq's character.
Making an evasive reply, Juve beat a retreat in good order, and followed Colonel Hofferman, who was talking to de Naarboveck. "The work of the Second Bureau," declared that officer. Juve heard no more Monsieur Lépine confronted him. The chief commissioner of police was plucking at his pointed beard with nervous fingers. Drawing Juve aside, he asked: "Juve, what is Headquarters thinking about?"
The discovery, I may tell you, did not take de Loreuil altogether by surprise. He had observed Vagualame's attitude towards the girl, and had considered it queer suspiciously so." "This is serious, but it is not sufficiently definite," pronounced Colonel Hofferman.... "Let us admit that Vagualame has played a double game, has been at once traitor and spy.
He must act with discretion, of course, but he must act as quickly as possible it is urgent!" "And what are the conditions, Colonel?" After a moment's reflection, Hofferman replied: "You must make and get the best conditions you can." It was noon, and twelve was striking.
"You know something else?" "I know that I arranged to meet this agent yesterday in the Garden, as our custom is, that I waited there, that he never turned up." Colonel Hofferman took de Loubersac's arm as they walked slowly back to the reception-rooms. "What you have just told me is exceedingly serious: we must enquire into this at once without loss of time.
Word Of The Day