"
Ganimard smiled, and accepted the proffered seat. Then the
prisoner continued:
"Mon Dieu, how pleased I am to see the face of an honest man. I
am so tired of those devils of spies who come here ten times a day
to ransack my pockets and my cell to satisfy themselves that I am
not preparing to escape. The government is very solicitous on my
account."
"It is quite right."
"Why so? I should be quite contented if they would allow me to
live in my own quiet way."
"On other people's money."
"Quite so. That would be so simple. But here, I am joking, and
you are, no doubt, in a hurry. So let us come to business,
Ganimard. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?
"The Cahorn affair," declared Ganimard, frankly.
"Ah! Wait, one moment. You see I have had so many affairs!
First, let me fix in my mind the circumstances of this particular
case....Ah! yes, now I have it. The Cahorn affair, Malaquis
castle, Seine-Inferieure....Two Rubens, a Watteau, and a few
trifling articles."
"Trifling!"
"Oh! ma foi, all that is of slight importance. But it suffices to
know that the affair interests you. How can I serve you,
Ganimard?"
"Must I explain to you what steps the authorities have taken in
the matter?"
"Not at all.
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