heavens! he is talking to himself. If he be not drunk or mad,
he is a mathematician."

This last surmise was suggested by the words that Bussy heard.

"488, 489, 490," murmured the man, "it must be near here." And
then he raised his bandage, and finding himself in front of a
house, examined it attentively.

"No, it is not this," he said. Then, putting back his bandage,
he recommenced his walk and his calculations. "491, 492, 493,
494; I must be close." And he raised his bandage again, and,
approaching the door next to that against which Bussy was standing,
began again to examine.

"Hum!" said he, "it might, but all these doors are so alike."

"The same reflection I have just made," thought Bussy.

However, the mathematician now advanced to the next door, and
going up to it, found himself face to face with Bussy.

"Oh!" cried he, stepping back.

"Oh!" cried Bussy.

"It is not possible."

"Yes; but it is extraordinary. You are the doctor?"