“No address. ‘Boulevard Malesherbes ... avenue de Messine ... double pourboire.’ That is all.”
But, during this time, Mon. Gerbois had leaped into the first passing carriage.
“To the Concorde station, Metropolitan,” he said to the driver.
He left the underground at the Place du Palais-Royal, ran to another carriage and ordered it to go to the Place de la Bourse. Then a second journey by the underground to the Avenue de Villiers, followed by a third carriage drive to number 25 rue Clapeyron.
Number 25 rue Clapeyron is separated from the Boulevard des Batignolles by the house which occupies the angle formed by the two streets. He ascended to the first floor and rang. A gentleman opened the door.
“Does Monsieur Detinan live here?”
“Yes, that is my name. Are you Monsieur Gerbois?”
“Yes.”
“I was expecting you. Step in.”
As Mon. Gerbois entered the lawyer’s office, the clock struck three. He said: