Without exchanging a bow or a hand-shake with any one, he descended to the pavement and walked to the boulevard, where he opened the door of a coups whose interior showed a complete ambulant library—a writing table with paper, ink, and lamp, pockets full of books and pamphlets.
Just as he was about to enter, a voice stopped him.
He turned; it was one of his old pupils, who had recently become a physician in the suburb of Gentilly.
"What is it?" asked Saniel.
"I want to ask you to come and assist me in a curious case of spasms, where your intervention may be decisive."
"Where?"
"At the Maison-Blanche, a poor woman. What day could you give me?"
"Is it urgent?"
"Yes."
"In that case I will go at once. Give the address to my coachman, and get in with me."