However, a faint smile, still played around his lips, and at last as if vanquished he sought no further.
"There's no help for it," said he, "the ministry's down." The others exchanged glances, full of anxiety at the thought of another Cabinet dealing with the African Railways affair.

A Vignon Cabinet would doubtless plume itself on behaving honestly.
"Well, then, what shall we do ?" But just then the telephone rang, and Monferrand rose to respond to the summons: "Allow me." He listened for a moment and then spoke into the tube, nothing that he said giving the others any inkling of the information which had reached him.

This had come from the Chief of the Detective Police, and was to the effect that Salvat's whereabouts in the Bois de Boulogne had been discovered, and that he would be hunted down with all speed.

"Very good! And don't forget my orders," replied Monferrand.
Now that Salvat's arrest was certain, the Minister determined to follow the plan which had gradually taken shape in his mind; and returning to the middle of the room he slowly walked to and fro, while saying with his wonted familiarity: "But what would you have, my friends?
It would be necessary for me to be the master.

Ah! if I were the master! A Commission of Inquiry, yes! that's the proper form for a first-class funeral to take in a big affair like this, so full of nasty things.