"What's the matter? . . . Why, what's the matter?" asked Steinweg.
M. Lenormand interposed:
"I see, sir, that you know nothing about certain events that have taken place recently. Have you been long travelling?"
"Yes, three months. . . . I had been up to the Rand. Then I went back to Capetown and wrote to Rudolf from there. But, on my way home by the East Coast route, I accepted some work at Port Said. Rudolf has had my letter, I suppose?"
"He is away. I will explain the reason of his absence. But, first, there is a point on which we should be glad of some information. It has to do with a person whom you knew and to whom you used to refer, in your intercourse with Mr. Kesselbach, by the name of Pierre Leduc."
"Pierre Leduc! What! Who told you?"
The old man was utterly taken aback.
He spluttered out again:
"Who told you? Who disclosed to you . . . ?"
"Mr. Kesselbach."