Outwardly the Syndic was cool, inwardly he was at a white heat that at any moment might impel him to the wildest action.

"Well ?" he said.

"What is it, M.Baudichon ?" "I want to know----" "Of course!" The sneer was savage and undisguised.

"What, this time, if I may be so bold ?" Baudichon breathed quickly, partly with the haste he had made across the road, partly in irritation at the gibe.

"This only," he said.