"Ganimard is a lunatic," I muttered.
He protested:
"Not a bit of it, not a bit of it! Ganimard is shrewd enough ... sometimes he's even quick-witted."
"Quick-witted!"
"Yes, yes. For instance, this interview is a masterstroke. First, he announces the coming of his English rival, so as to put me on my guard and make Shears's task more difficult. Secondly, he specifies the exact point to which he has carried the case, so that Shears may enjoy only the benefit of his own discoveries. That's fair fighting."
"Still you have two adversaries to deal with now; and such adversaries!"
"Oh, one of them doesn't count."
"And the other?"
"Shears? Oh, I admit that he's more of a match for me; but that's just what I love and why you see me in such good spirits. To begin with, there's the question of my vanity: they consider that I'm worth asking the famous Englishman to meet. Next, think of the pleasure which a fighter like myself must take in the prospect of a duel with Holmlock Shears. Well, I shall have to exert myself to the utmost. For I know the fellow: he won't retreat a step."
"He's a clever man."