M. Perissard laughed.
"Ah! I put most of that on with my clothes every morning," he explained with a wink of elephantine slyness.
"Every morning! What on earth for?" demanded Laroque, blankly.
"Thin people do not inspire confidence," declared M. Perissard, impressively, but still smiling. "Fat people do!" Then he noticed the woman in the chair and evolved an elaborate bow, seconded by M. Merivel. "Madame!"
"My life's companion—for the last six months," said Laroque, with flippant irony and an introductory wave of his hand. The partners bowed once more in unison and the woman acknowledged the introduction with a perfunctory nod, the absinthe and cigarette immediately reclaiming her attention.
"Let me present M. Merivel," said Perissard, suavely. "Formerly a schoolmaster, but now my friend and associate!"
"Delighted!" exclaimed Laroque, squeezing a limp, mushy hand, "But, sit down! Sit down!"
All three took chairs, the visitors carefully placing their silk hats on the floor beside them.
"And first let me thank you," he went on addressing himself to the older man, "to begin with——"
"For the thousand francs I sent you?"