"What would this guide of mine think if he knew that for a good many years I have had to cross the machine-room of La Capitale every evening, and consequently have been able to see and admire printing machines of a very different quality of perfection to this one he has praised so emphatically?"
Fandor-Vinson played up.
"It seems to me a marvellous machine! I should like to see it working!"
The red-bearded young man smiled.
"Come here some afternoon, and I will show you the machine in full work!... Come soon!"
He led Fandor to another part of the printing-room.
"Do you know anything about linotypes?"
Again Fandor-Vinson played the admirer's part, though he knew these machines were out-of-date.
"What is his game?" was our journalist's mental query.
The answer soon came. His guide led him to a strange-looking object concealed by some grey material. It might well be a cabinet for storing odds and ends, but Fandor felt sure the grey stuff covered something metallic.