 interrupted the other. »I daresay you could have
been legally a Marshal of France and a Member of Parliament in England - and
then, indeed, you would have been of some use to our Embassy.«
    This flight of fancy provoked something like a faint smile on Mr. Verloc's
face. Mr. Vladimir retained an imperturbable gravity.
    »But, as I've said, you are a lazy fellow; you don't use your opportunities.
In the time of Baron Stott-Wartenheim we had a lot of soft-headed people running
this Embassy. They caused fellows of your sort to form a false conception of the
nature of a secret service fund. It is my business to correct this
misapprehension by telling you what the secret service is not. It is not a
philanthropic institution. I've had you called here on purpose to tell you
this.«
    Mr. Vladimir observed the forced expression of bewilderment on Verloc's
face, and smiled sarcastically.
    »I see that you understand me perfectly. I daresay you are intelligent
enough for your work. What we want now is activity - activity.«
    On repeating this last word Mr. Vladimir laid a long white forefinger on the
edge of the desk. Every trace of huskiness disappeared from Verloc's voice. The
nape of his gross neck became crimson above the velvet collar of his overcoat.
His lips quivered before they came widely open.
    »If you'll only be good enough to look up my record,« he boomed out in his
great, clear, oratorical bass, »you'll see I gave a warning only three months
ago on the occasion of the Grand Duke Romuald's visit to Paris, which was
telegraphed from here to the French police, and -«
    »Tut, tut!« broke out Mr. Vladimir, with a frowning grimace. »The French
police had no use for your warning. Don't roar like this. What the devil do you
mean?«
    With a note of proud humility Mr. Verloc apologized for forgetting himself.
His voice, famous for years at open-air meetings and at workmen's assemblies in
large halls, had contributed, he said, to his reputation of a good and
trustworthy comrade. It was, therefore, a part of his usefulness. It had
inspired confidence in his principles. »I was always put up to speak by the
leaders at a critical moment,« Mr. Verloc declared, with obvious satisfaction.
There was no uproar above which he could not make himself heard, he added; and
suddenly
