"Do you happen to have a meeting on hand for to-day?" continued Cherami, flicking the ashes from his cigar. "If that's the case, and you need a second, you know, my dear monsieur, that I am entirely at your service, and that I should be enchanted to oblige you in any way." "No, no, I have no duel this morning," Auguste replied; then, gazing fixedly at the person before him, he added, in a minute or two: "And yet, monsieur, you can, none the less, do me a very great favor." "I can? Then, speak! I am entirely at your service. I have nothing to do." "Yes, it was a lucky chance that led to my meeting you here. I left Paris this morning, rather suddenly, and I forgot to write to a certain person; but it's very important that I should." "You want me to carry a letter to someone?" "Monsieur Cherami, this is a matter of the utmost gravity; I apply to you, because I think I have judged you accurately. You are a man capable of understanding me." "The deuce! the deuce! but you have a serious way of talking! It is plain that this is no joking matter." "Are you still disposed to do me a favor?" "More so than ever." "Very well; then be good enough to come with me. There must be a cafe somewhere about here; a restaurant where I can write a letter?" "Yes, we have only to turn back a little way, and we shall find what we want." "Let us go. Have you breakfasted?" "Why, yes; as I told you just now, I breakfasted at Passy. But that won't interfere with my taking something more. The air is sharp, and walking assists in rapid digestion." They turned back; Auguste walked so fast that Cherami, despite his long legs, had difficulty in following him; he tried to continue the conversation, but his companion seemed absorbed by his thoughts, and did not answer. "There's something wrong with that man," said Arthur to himself, as he lighted another cigar. "I don't know what it is, but that long face of his doesn't indicate a man who is trying to make up his mind what sauce to order for his lobster. However, it's his business. He has confidence in me, and I'll not betray him, for he's a good fellow. I am only sorry that I stuffed myself with eggs and pie at Aunt Duponceau's, for I should have breakfasted much better with him, that's sure. But every man isn't a sorcerer." They found a cafe-restaurant, and were shown to a private room. "Order whatever you choose," said Auguste to Cherami; "I have breakfasted." "You too? In that case, it was hardly worth while to come here." "I beg your pardon; I am going to write, I must write, two letters; then I will leave you. So, eat at your leisure; you have no occasion to hurry." "Very good.--Waiter! Let me see, what can I take--something light, to give me an appetite? Ah! I have it. Bring me a good slice of pate de foie gras, and a bottle of very old Beaune; we will toy with that, and then we'll see." Cherami was duly served. Meanwhile, Auguste had seated himself at another table and was writing.