Victor started in alarm, and stammered:

“I!⁠ ⁠… I!⁠ ⁠… no, no.⁠ ⁠… I swear to you.⁠ ⁠…”

“You will swear what? That you are not yourself? The servant of the countess?”

“What servant? My name is Dufour. Ask the proprietor.”

“Yes, Anatole Dufour to the proprietor of this restaurant, but Victor Danègre to the officers of the law.”

“That’s not true! Someone has lied to you.”

The newcomer took a card from his pocket and handed it to Victor, who read on it: “Grimaudan, ex-inspector of the detective force. Private business transacted.” Victor shuddered as he said:

“You are connected with the police?”