He was still, however, bewildered.
"Monsieur," he protested, "I do not understand.

This mission to Brazil of which you speak--it can have no great importance.

Cannot it be entrusted to some other messenger ?" "Alas! No, my dear sir," was the uncompromising reply.

"It is you--Monsieur Pailleton--whom the President desires to travel to Brazil." The light was breaking in upon Pailleton.

He clenched his fists.
"I am to be got out of the way!" he exclaimed.