Phellion. “Du Bruel always seemed to be attached to Monsieur Rabourdin.”
Poiret [returning]. “I have had a world of trouble to get back my key. That boy is crying still, and Monsieur Rabourdin has disappeared.” [Dutocq and Bixiou enter.]
Bixiou. “Ha, gentlemen! strange things are going on in your bureau. Du Bruel! I want you.” [Looks into the adjoining room.] “Gone?”
Thuillier. “Full speed.”
Bixiou. “What about Rabourdin?”
Fleury. “Distilled, evaporated, melted! Such a man, the king of men, that he—”
Poiret [to Dutocq]. “That little Sebastien, in his trouble, said that you, Monsieur Dutocq, had taken the paper from him ten days ago.”
Bixiou [looking at Dutocq]. “You must clear yourself of /that/, my good friend.” [All the clerks look fixedly at Dutocq.]
Dutocq. “Where’s the little viper who copied it?”
Bixiou. “Copied it? How did you know he copied it? Ha! ha! it is only the diamond that cuts the diamond.” [Dutocq leaves the room.]