"Villefranche, Rhône. What date?"
"The fourteenth of October, 1859."
"The fourteenth of October, 1859. Good. Died at Ahaggar,
the fifth of January, 1897.... There, that is done. A thousand thanks, sir, for your kindness."
"You are welcome."
I left M. Le Mesge.
My mind, thenceforth, was well made up; and, as I said, I was perfectly calm. Nevertheless, when I had taken leave of M. Le Mesge, I felt the need of waiting a few minutes before executing my decision.
First I wandered through the corridors; then, finding myself near my room, I went to it. It was still intolerably hot. I sat down on my divan and began to think.
The dagger in my pocket bothered me. I took it out and laid it on the floor.
It was a good dagger, with a diamond-shaped blade, and with a collar of orange leather between the blade and the handle.