Monsieur Dupont took a letter from his pocket, and unfolded it.
"Monsieur, I beg you to read this letter. It is from the French Embassy, and begs assistance to me in an investigation that I am making."
Doctor Lessing read the letter, and returned it.
"I shall be happy to assist you in any way I can," he said, courteously. "Please sit down."
Monsieur Dupont sat down by the open windows and drank in the fragrance of the garden.
"Doctor Lessing," he began, "I believe it is for a long time that you have lived in this beautiful place?"
"For forty-five years," the old doctor smiled contentedly. "But I am by no means one of its oldest inhabitants. Lives are long in the country. To what period do you wish to refer?"
"A period," Monsieur Dupont replied, "nearly forty years ago. I do not know exactly."
"A long stretch," said Doctor Lessing ruefully. "But my memory shall do its best for you. That is all I can promise."
"I am engaged," said Monsieur Dupont, "on an extraordinary quest. I do not think that any human being has ever been engaged on a more extraordinary quest."