"The clock in the hall has just struck two, monsieur." "Very good; when it strikes the half-hour, you are to come and tell me; do you hear?" "Yes, monsieur; I shall not fail. Does monsieur wish anything else?" "No; these decanters of brandy and kirsch will help me kill time. If I want you, I'll ring.--This has been a most extraordinary day!" said Cherami to himself, as he lighted a fresh cigar. "I hardly suspected, this morning, when I was pacing the boulevards to get up an appetite, that I should breakfast at Passy, and then breakfast a second time in the Bois de Boulogne. This Monsieur Auguste Monleard is concealing some scheme or other which is not of a cheerful nature. Those two letters he left with me--one of which is for myself--there's a mystery about the whole business! This purse he gave me is a very dainty affair; let's see what there is in it. A hundred-franc note! Damnation! I have my cue! I shall have enough to pay for my breakfast.--What are these other papers? Broker's memorandums: 'bought by order of M. Monleard; sold by order of M. Monleard.'--These are of no importance, and there's nothing else. Can it be that our young capitalist has been unlucky in speculation, and has vamosed, as they say?--It's very possible. Well! I shall know all about it before long; at least ten minutes must have passed. Let's take a drink of kirsch. That little scamp of a Narcisse has nicked my switch all up. Children are very nice--when they're well brought up.--I can't keep my eyes off that letter. Time never dragged so with me! Suppose I ask for my bill--that's a good idea.--Waiter!" "Did monsieur call?" "Yes; bring me my check. Add three more kirsches--I shall drink them before I go--and, when you come back, tell me what time it is." "Yes, monsieur." The waiter returned with the bill, which he handed to Cherami, saying: "It's a quarter past two, monsieur." "Only a quarter! Sacrebleu! you make a mistake; it isn't possible that it's only a quarter past!" "I give you my word, monsieur, that that's all it is by the clock in the hall. If you will come and look for yourself----" "All right! Let's see the footing! seventeen francs fifty. Here, change this note for me, and, when you bring back the change, look at the clock a little more carefully." "Why, monsieur, I can't look at it any different way from----" "Go, boy, and don't argue. I don't like arguers."