"By whom?"

"Two men of science who arrive next week. One is a great man. Madame
Brossard is pleased that he is coming to Les Trois Pigeons, but I tell
her it is only natural. He comes now for the first time because he likes
the quiet, but he will come again, like monsieur, because he has been
here before. That is what I always say: 'Any one who has been here must
come again.' The problem is only to get them to come the first time.
Truly!"

"Who is the great man, Amedee?"

"Ah! A distinguished professor of science. Truly."

"What science?"

"I do not know. But he is a member of the Institute. Monsieur must have
heard of that great Professor Keredec?"

"The name is known. Who is the other?"

"A friend of his. I do not know. All the upper floor of the east wing
they have taken--the Grande Suite--those two and their valet-de-chambre.
That is truly the way in modern times--the philosophers are rich men."

"Yes," I sighed. "Only the painters are poor nowadays."

"Ha, ha, monsieur!" Amedee laughed cunningly.