"Just to get some information as to the probable duration of certain works."
"You are not a reporter?"
"I am not a reporter. I am an advertising agent."
"Ah, that's different. The office you are looking for is number 43, the door opposite ... but there's nobody in now. However, you can wait."
Fandor crossed and entered room 43, where, after a moment, he discovered an occupant tucked away behind an enormous pile of books and manuscripts. This clerk was absorbed in a yellow-covered novel and greeted Fandor with evident ill-humor.
"What d'you want?"
"I would like to know, Monsieur, the probable duration of the repair work in operation at the Place de la Concorde."
"And why do you want to know that?"
"I am an advertising agent, and I may have a proposition to offer to the city."
"And at what point is this work in operation?"