Dutocq. “That IS queer!”
Bixiou. “Try Isidore Baudoyer.”
Colleville [mysteriously]. “I sha’n’t tell the other anagrams to any one but Thuillier.”
Bixiou. “I’ll bet you a breakfast that I can tell that one myself.”
Colleville. “And I’ll pay if you find it out.”
Bixiou. “Then I shall breakfast at your expense; but you won’t be angry, will you? Two such geniuses as you and I need never conflict. ‘Isidore Baudoyer’ anagrams into ‘Ris d’aboyeur d’oie.’”
Colleville [petrified with amazement]. “You stole it from me!”
Bixiou [with dignity]. “Monsieur Colleville, do me the honor to believe that I am rich enough in absurdity not to steal my neighbor’s nonsense.”
Baudoyer [entering with a bundle of papers in his hand]. “Gentlemen, I request you to shout a little louder; you bring this office into such high repute with the administration. My worthy coadjutor, Monsieur Clergeot, did me the honor just now to come and ask a question, and he heard the noise you are making” [passes into Monsieur Godard’s room].
Bixiou [in a low voice]. “The watch-dog is very tame this morning; there’ll be a change of weather before night.”