Saniel mounted the stairs and rang the bell. A long time passed, or at least it seemed long to him, before there was an answer. At last he heard a slow and heavy step on the tiled floor and the door was opened, but held by a hand and a foot.
“What do you wish?”
“Monsieur Caffie.”
“I am he. Who are you?”
“Doctor Saniel.”
“I have not sent for a doctor.”
“It is not as doctor that I am here, but as client.”
“This is not the hour when I receive clients.”
“But you are at home.”
“That is a fact!”