Overheard through a crack in the wooden panelling: 1st Voice: ...I ensured that certain 'obstacles' were placed in the way of his Division Command, as Your Grace instructed. 2nd Voice: Excellent! The Commissioner will have no excuse for postponing his trial any further. How did you do it? 1st Voice: Oh, a hint dropped here and a few crowns there. Does Your Grace really want to know the details? 2nd Voice: Perhaps not. And what about La Pointe? 1st Voice: The man has been silenced most effectively and Your Grace need have no fear of seeing him for at least a year. It could well be that he will never be seen in Paris again, of course. The front is a dangerous place even for members of the General Staff. 2nd Voice: Indeed. Pity that fool Dorado got himself killed so quickly after the trouble I went to to get him appointed against the wishes of the Field Marshal. I see from your expression that the news isn't all good, however... 1st Voice: I fear not, Your Grace. Two of the four gentlemen who had agreed to testify for the prosecution have, regretably, lost their lives at the front... 2nd Voice: Who ? 1st Voice: Colonel de Problem and Captain Du Pain, Your Grace? 2nd Voice: The one who abducted his wife from the convent and the...'gentleman' who gave rise to the collapse of discipline and morale in the Dragoons Guards? 1st Voice: The very same, Your Grace. 2nd Voice: Damn the man! Why is it that all those going against him seem to meet with untimely deaths? It was just the same with that bounder de Toilette! Could he be implicated in their deaths, do you think ? 1st Voice: It seems most unlikely, Your Grace, though it could, perhaps, be made to appear so...? 2nd Voice: See to it will you? If all we have to depend on are that untrustworthy pair Broulles and de Custaad... 1st Voice: I understand completely, Your Grace, but the difficulties involved will surely merit a larger reward than that we previously discussed. 2nd Voice: How would the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suit you...?
