"Nothing important. You know that I have to mark the labels for the red marble hall...."
I walked toward the table.
"Well, I forgot to ask M. Morhange, at the beginning, the date and place of his birth. After that, I had no chance. I did not see him again. So I am forced to turn to you. Perhaps you can tell me?"
"I can," I said very calmly.
He took a large white card from a box which contained several and dipped his pen.
"Number 54 ... Captain?"
"Captain Jean-Marie-François Morhange."
While I dictated, one hand resting on the table, I noticed on my cuff a stain, a little stain, reddish brown.
"Morhange," repeated M. Le Mesge, finishing the lettering of my friend's name. "Born at...?"
"Villefranche."