He paused; and Mr Verloc, who had recognised his own handwriting very well, waited in an almost breathless silence.
"We are not very satisfied with the attitude of the police here," the other continued, with every appearance of mental fatigue.
The shoulders of Mr Verloc, without actually moving, suggested a shrug.
And for the first time since he left his home that morning his lips opened.
"Every country has its police," he said philosophically.

But as the official of the Embassy went on blinking at him steadily he felt constrained to add: "Allow me to observe that I have no means of action upon the police here." "What is desired," said the man of papers, "is the occurrence of something definite which should stimulate their vigilance.

That is within your province--is it not so ?" Mr Verloc made no answer except by a sigh, which escaped him involuntarily, for instantly he tried to give his face a cheerful expression.

The official blinked doubtfully, as if affected by the dim light of the room.

He repeated vaguely.
"The vigilance of the police--and the severity of the magistrates.