e.

The police official resumed: "Sir, I have found you alone with Madame Du
Roy here, you in bed, she almost naked, with your clothes scattered
about the room. This is legal evidence of adultery. You cannot deny this
evidence. What have you to say for yourself?"

Laroche-Mathieu murmured: "I have nothing to say; do your duty."

The commissary addressed himself to Madeleine: "Do you admit, madame,
that this gentleman is your lover?"

She said with a certain swagger: "I do not deny it; he is my lover."

"That is enough."

The commissary made some notes as to the condition and arrangement of
the rooms. As he was finishing writing, the minister, who had finished
dressing, and was waiting with his greatcoat over his arm and his hat in
his hand, said: "Have you still need of me, sir? What am I to do? Can I
withdraw?"

Du Roy turned towards him, and smiling insolently, said: "Why so? We
have finished. You can go to bed again, sir; we will leave you alone."
And placing a finger on the official's arm, he continued: "Let us
retire, Mr. Commissary, we have nothing more to do in this place."

Somewhat surprised, the commissary followed, but on the threshold of the
room George stopped to allow him to pass. The other declined, out of
politeness. Du Roy persisted, saying: "Pass first, sir."

"After you, sir," replied the commissary.

The journalist bowed, and in a tone of ironical politeness, said: "It is
your turn, sir; I am almost at home here."

Then he softly reclosed the door with an air of discretion.

An hour later George Du Roy entered the offices of the _Vie Francaise_.
Monsieur Walter was already there, for he continued to manage and
supervise with solicitude his paper, which had enormously increased in
circulation, and greatly helped the schemes of his bank. The manager
raised his head and said: "Ah! here you are. You look very strange. Why
did you not come to dinner with us? What have you been up to?"

The young fellow, sure of his effect, said, emphasizing every word: "I

have just upset the Minister of Foreign Affairs."

The other thought he was joking, and said: "Upset what?"

"I am going to turn out the Cabinet. That is all. It is quite time to
get rid of that rubbish."

The old man thought that his leader-writer must be drunk. He murmured:
"Come, you are talking nonsense."

"Not at all. I have just caught Monsieur Laroche-Mathieu committing
adultery with my wife. The commissary of police has ve