A government degrades itself by openly employing such a man, whose real vocation is for police diplomacy.
He is fitted to deal with the political filibusters of other cabinets, and it would be a pity therefore to employ him on our internal detective police.

He is above a common spy, for he is able to understand a plan; he could skilfully carry through a dark piece of work and cover his retreat safely." Des Lupeaulx was succinctly analyzed in five or six such paragraphs,--the essence, in fact, of the biographical portrait which we gave at the beginning of this history.

As he read the words the secretary felt that a man stronger than himself sat in judgment on him; and he at once resolved to examine the memorandum, which evidently reached far and high, without allowing Dutocq to know his secret thoughts.

He therefore showed a calm, grave face when the spy returned to him.

Des Lupeaulx, like lawyers, magistrates, diplomatists, and all whose work obliges them to pry into the human heart, was past being surprised at anything.