"Nothing—only—"
"Only what?"
"Well, sir, you have a tremendous squeeze, I must say. Your fingers felt as if they were made of steel."
Esperance looked at his hands in some surprise.
"Yes," he said, in a dreamy voice, "I am strong, I believe."
"Strong! I should say you were."
"I did not hurt you, I trust?" and Esperance still gazed at his hands in a troubled sort of way.
"Where will you breakfast, sir?" asked Coucon.
"In the gallery, I think."
"And alone?"