“Take your places gentlemen,” shouted the conductor, opening the door. “Take your places! We are three-quarters of an hour late.”
“One moment, conductor, one moment,” Said the architect; “we are consulting.”
“About what?”
“Close the door, conductor, and come over here.”
“Drink a glass of wine with us, conductor.”
“With pleasure, gentlemen; a glass of wine is never to be refused.”
The conductor held out his glass, and the three travellers touched it; but just as he was lifting it to his lips the doctor stopped his arm.
“Come, conductor, frankly, is it true?”
“What?”
“What this gentleman says?” And he pointed to the Genevese.