"It is not that ... it is not that ... it is not that!"
"What, then, is it?" I exclaimed.
"The Théâtre-Français had offered you five thousand francs premium!"
"Me?"
"I know it."
"Me, five thousand francs premium?"
"I tell you I know it, and in proof ..." He drew five one-thousand franc notes from his pocket.
"The proof lies here in the five thousand francs I bring you." And he held out the five notes to me.
I took one of them.