“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-Inférieure.⁠ ⁠… 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.”

“I am entirely at your service.”