He stopped. Valenglay seemed not to understand.
"But, look here, Monsieur le President, we must save Malreich. . . . Only think . . . a judicial error! . . . An innocent man guillotined! . . . Give your orders . . . say you have fresh information . . . anything you please . . . but, quick, there is no time to lose. . . ."
Valenglay looked at him attentively, then went to a table, took up a newspaper and handed it to him, pointing his finger at an article as he did so.
Lupin cast his eye at the head-line and read:
"EXECUTION OF THE MONSTER"
"Louis de Malreich underwent the death-penalty this morning. . . ."
He read no more. Thunderstruck, crushed, he fell into the premier's chair with a moan of despair. . . .
How long he remained like that he could not say. When he was outside again,
