"Professor, we are waiting for you," said Riche, giving him a gentle slap on the back, but suddenly started back declaring that he had received something like an electric shock.
They looked at one another in astonishment.
"What on earth is the matter with him?" they asked. "Is he ill, or in a trance, or what?"
Villebois drew Riche on one side, and they held a short consultation in hurried whispers.
"Don't be alarmed, Riche," said Villebois. "What would be very serious in the case of ordinary people is not so with Delapine. I know him well, and whenever he goes into this state he is sure to do something surprising and far beyond the powers of common mortals like ourselves. My advice is to slip away quietly and return to the ladies. Whatever you do, don't wake him, but let him come round by himself."
So saying he withdrew on tip-toe, the others following him silently out of the room.
They returned to the breakfast table, and Riche with great forethought saw that breakfast was kept hot for Delapine when he should come down.
"What an extraordinary man," said Violette to Marcel who was sitting next to her.
"Yes, you would have had reason to say so if you had been in his room just now when Riche touched him and actually received a shock. It reminded me of an electric eel."