"Well," said Delapine, "and did our friend wake up?"
"Precisely on the stroke of ten," they all replied together.
"And did he say anything to you, Marcel?"
"Oh, he shook me by the hand and said he was delighted to meet me again."
"Did he refer in any way to his fight with you?"
"Not one word on the subject, professor. I am perfectly convinced that he has not the slightest idea that he ever had a quarrel with me."
"This is perfectly incomprehensible," said Riche. "'Pon my word, Delapine, you make me afraid of you."
A moment later Payot, looking none the worse for his enforced sleep, entered the room.
"Hullo, here you all are," he cried. "I have just been looking for you. And pray, where is madame?" he continued, as he sat down, while Villebois handed him a liqueur.
"My wife had a bad headache and retired to bed," said Villebois, "and Céleste went to look after her with a plentiful supply of vinaigre and smelling salts."