Valenglay took out his watch and chuckled:
"I will give you ten minutes, my dear Lenormand!"
The chief took out his, and emphasizing each syllable, said calmly:
"That is four minutes more than I want, Monsieur le Président."
Valenglay looked at him in amazement.
"Four minutes more than you want? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, Monsieur le Président, that the ten minutes which you allow me are superfluous. I want six, and not one minute more."
"Oh, but look here, Lenormand . . . if you imagine that this is the time for joking . . ."
The chief detective went to the window and beckoned to two men who were walking round the courtyard.
Then he returned: