“What do you think about it?” the detective insisted, “what impression does all this Fantômas business make on you?”
Ascott, rousing himself from a prolonged reverie, shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t care a fig about it,” he declared, “I am bored to death....”
The other feigned no little surprise.
“Well, that is just what struck me, my dear sir; you look tired, altered, you never go into society nowadays; have you had worries perhaps?”
Ascott nodded and was about to speak when the American broke in, making his question more definite:
“I’ve heard vaguely of some untoward adventure you were the hero of a while ago....”
“Rather say the victim,” put in Ascott.
The detective caught him up:
“The victim! come, that’s a big word; what did happen to you?”