"I stoop so much because my age weighs me down.... When you grow old."...
Bobinette burst into peals of laughter.
"You don't think, do you, Vagualame, that I take you for an old man? Ha, ha! I know you are disguised; made up admirably, I dare say, but you are a young man.... I am quite, quite sure of it!"
Juve was saying to himself:
"This grows better and better!"
Juve's conviction was that this old Vagualame, secret agent of the Second Bureau, murderer of Captain Brocq, the Vagualame he had encountered at Fandor's flat, could only be a young man in the flower of his age—could be none other than Fantômas.
Juve was about to put more questions to Bobinette, but two figures came into view, and they were nearing the avenue Rachel.
"Make off with you!" cried Bobinette. "There they are coming back!"
Juve did not wish de Loubersac to catch a glimpse of him: he would be surprised, suspicious, and would question him about the missed rendezvous. Juve had not gained sufficient information, however.
"I must see you again, Bobinette." His tone was pressing, insistent.