"I know," said he, "that your time is precious, Monsieur Barbey, so I will come straight to the object of my call.... You must be aware of the profound impression caused by the double crimes recently committed on the persons of Madame de Vibray and the Princess Sonia Danidoff?"
"It is true, monsieur, that I have followed, in the papers, the account of the investigations regarding them: but, in what way?..."
"Does it concern you?" finished Fandor. "Good heavens, monsieur, is it not a fact that the Baroness de Vibray was your client? And were you not present at Monsieur Thomery's ball?"
"That is so, monsieur; but if you are hoping that I can supply you with further details than those already published, you will be disappointed. I myself have learned a good deal about these crimes only from reading your articles, monsieur."
"Can you confirm the statement that Madame de Vibray was ruined?"
"I do not think I am betraying a professional secret if I say that Madame de Vibray had had very heavy losses quite recently."
"And Princess Sonia Danidoff?"
"I do not think she is one of our clients."
"You do not think so?"
"But, monsieur, you cannot suppose that we know all our clients? Our business is a very extensive one, and neither Nanteuil, nor I, could possibly know the names of all those who do business with us."