Lupin turned livid. He spluttered:
"Oh, did Shears get . . . as far as . . . this?"
"Yes, after four days' searching. True, it did not help us, for we found nothing. All the same, I know that the letters are not here."
Trembling with rage, wounded in his innermost pride, Lupin fired up under the gibe, as though he had been lashed with a whip. He had never felt humiliated to such a degree as this. In this fury, he could have strangled the fat Waldemar, whose laughter incensed him. Containing himself with an effort, he said:
"It took Shears four days, Sire, and me only four hours. And I should have required even less, if I had not been thwarted in my search."
"And by whom, bless my soul? By my faithful count? I hope he did not dare . . . !"
"No, Sire, but by the most terrible and power
