"'Hey! you there! Close the street door! There is more draft here than in a windmill!' And he remained grumbling until his order had been executed. "Then, resuming his seat, he proceeded: "'Please give me that article.' "I handed him the watch, which he began to turn about, examining and turning the winder, opening the case and the chain swivel. "'Yes,' he said gravely, 'it is indeed a watch, there is no denying.' "Saying which, he deposited the watch in the depths of a very large safe, closing its three locks. "I looked with astonishment, and he resumed: "'And where did you find this valuable article?' "'Boulevard Saint Michel, at the corner of Rue Monsieur-le-Prince.' "On the ground?' asked the commissaire; 'on the sidewalk?' "I answered in the affirmative. "'It is very extraordinary,' he then said with a suspicious look at me; 'the sidewalk is not the usual place to leave a watch.' "I remarked smilingly: "'If I may call your attention--' "Dryly the commissaire said: "'That will do! You may omit all remarks. I know my business.' "I stopped talking and smiling. "He resumed: 'In the first place, who are you?' "I gave my name. "'Where do you live?' "'I have already said that I live at the Place Blanche, 26, second floor.' "'What are your means of living?' "I explained that I had an income of twelve thousand francs. "'At what time, as near as you can tell, did you find the watch?' "'Three o'clock A. M.' "'Was not it later?' he remarked ironically. "'I don't think it was,' I said candidly. "'Well, I congratulate you,' he said ironically. 'It seems to me that you are leading a somewhat singular existence.' "As I was taking exception on my right to live according to my fancy: "'Admitted!' said the commissaire. 'But I have a right to know what the deuce you could be doing at that hour on the Boulevard Saint Michel, corner of Rue Monsieur-le-Prince, you who _say_ that you are living at the Place Blanche?' "'What do you mean by that, I _say_?' "'Yes, you say so.' "'If I say so, it is a fact.' "'That is what we must have proved. Meanwhile, please do not divert from the conversation, and answer courteously to all the questions that I feel duty bound to put to you. I am asking what were you doing at that unearthly hour in a neighborhood that was not your own?' "I explained (as it was true) that I was coming from the house of a lady friend. "'What does she do, your lady friend?' "'She is a married woman. "'Married. To whom?' "'To a druggist.' "'What is his name?' "'That is none of your business,' I answered, impatiently. "'Is it to me that you are talking like that?' hallooed the commissaire. "'Of course.' "The commissaire's face became purple. "'But, my boy! you will have to alter your tune; that strain of yours does not suit me. And--I fancy that I recollect your features.' "'Oh, bosh!' "'Yes--I do have a recollection--' "There was a moment of silence. Then: