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. I have read the newspapers and I will frankly state
that you have made very little progress."

"And that is the reason I have come to see you."