Once the suspense grew too much for him.

He rose and walked up and down the room.

His well-bred calm seemed to have deserted him.

He muttered curses on Guerchard, M.Formery, and the whole French criminal system, very softly, under his breath.

His face was distorted to a mask of fury; and once he wiped the little beads of sweat from his forehead with his handkerchief.