"Vagualame! You spoke just now of Brocq's mistress: if, as you seem to think, Nichoune had no such relation with the captain, where are we to look for his mistress?"
"Hah!... Look in another direction ... among his friends ... in the great world ... the diplomatic set, for preference ... Think of those in the de Naarboveck circle"....
"Look out, Vagualame!" exclaimed de Loubersac. "Weigh your words well!"
"Do not be afraid, lieu ... pardon—Monsieur Henri!"
"Perhaps you think it is Bobinette?" queried de Loubersac.
"No."
"Who then?"
Juve shot his answer at the lieutenant, like a stone from a catapult.
"Wilhelmine de Naarboveck!"
A shout of indignant protest burst from de Loubersac. He could not contain his fury: he kicked the supposed Vagualame with such force that he sent him rolling in the greasy mud of the Seine bank.