"
I blew two or three puffs of my cigarette, and met my guest's eager
gaze.
"I shall be happy to put myself at your disposal," said I. "May I ask,
without indiscretion--?"
"No, no," he interrupted, "don't ask. Secrecy is part of the gigantic
combination. _En galant homme_, I require of you--confidence."
With an irresistible touch of mockery I said: "Professor Papadopoulos,
I will be happy to follow you blindfold to the lair of whatever
fire-breathing dragon you may want me to help you destroy."
He rose and grasped his hat and made me a profound bow.
"You will not find me wanting in courage, Monsieur. There is
another small favour I would ask of you. Will you bring some of your
visiting-cards?"
"With pleasure," said I.
At that moment the gong clanged loudly through the hotel.
"It is your dinner-hour," said the dwarf. "I depart. Our rendezvous--"
"Let us have no rendezvous, my dear Professor," I interposed. "What more
simple than that you should do me the pleasure of dining with me here?
We can thus fortify ourselves with food and drink for our adventure, and
we can start on it comfortably together whenever it seems good to you.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221