He placed a firm hand on the other's bowed shoulders.
"Capet has gone--is that it ?" he queried peremptorily.
The look of terror increased in Heron's eyes, giving its mute reply.
"How?
When ?" But for the moment the man was speechless.

An almost maniacal fear seemed to hold him in its grip.

With an impatient oath Chauvelin turned away from him.
"Brandy!" he said curtly, speaking to Armand.
A bottle and glass were found in the cupboard.

It was St.Just who poured out the brandy and held it to Heron's lips.

Chauvelin was once more pacing up and down the room in angry impatience.
"Pull yourself together, man," he said roughly after a while, "and try and tell me what has occurred." Heron had sunk into a chair.