Woman of Mystery

Excerpt: "e;In his study, situated in the Rue Saint-Dominique, the Minister of War was walking to and fro. In furious fashion he twisted his moustache, which seemed even redder than usual, as he nervously fingered his eyeglass, in a manner which promised anything but a cordial welcome to any who entered his presence. Doubtless, his officers were well acquainted with the reasons of his ill-humour, for a profound silence reigned all around, and the great man's solitude was undisturbed save by the querulous twitterings of the birds in the garden. A minute later, he seemed to lose all patience, and, marching to the mantelpiece, he pressed an electric bell. An usher, with anxious mien, at once approached. "e;Has Colonel Vallenot returned?"e; exclaimed the Minister, in fierce tones. The servant shrunk away, as though he would have liked the earth to open and swallow him; then he stammered, faintly- "e;I do not think so, sir-I will ask-"e; The General became purple with rage. An oath burst forth from his lips like a bombshell, then a second, the third was useless. The door was again closed, the servant had vanished."e;