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Presently there came a knock at the door. Rogers
opened it and admitted Papadopoulos, who forthwith began to execute his
usual manoeuvres of salutation. Rogers stood staring and open-mouthed
at the apparition. It took all his professional training in
imperturbability to enable him to make a decent exit. This increased my
good humour. I grasped the dwarf's hand.
"My dear Professor, I am delighted to see you. Pray excuse my receiving
you in this unceremonious fashion, and sit down by the fire."
I hastily completed my toilette by stuffing my watch, letter-case, loose
change and handkerchief into my pockets, and took a seat opposite him.
"It is I," said he politely, "who must apologise for this untimely call.
I have wanted to pay my respects to you since I arrived in Algiers, but
till now I have had no opportunity."
"Allow me," said I, "to disembarrass you of your hat."
I took the high-crowned, flat-brimmed thing which he was nursing
somewhat nervously on his knees, and put it on the table. He murmured
that I was "_Sehr aimable_.


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