“No. I’m an obstinate brute. Sixty thousand goes.”
The girl sighed. “By the way we have a new neighbour, such a fine looking old man, a Professor Durand.”
“The dickens! I know him quite well. He’s a little touched. Thinks he has an invincible system that’s going to bust up the Casino.”
“Yes, the concierge told me. He has books and books of figures and diagrams. He works over them night and day.”
“Seems to me the concierge takes too much interest in his locataires. I don’t like that man. I wish you would talk to him as little as possible.”
“Very well. I don’t like him myself, he ... he tried to make love to me.”
“The dog! I’ll smash him.”
“No, please don’t make a fuss. I stopped him pretty quick. It doesn’t do to make enemies of those people.”
The following day Hugh met Professor Durand on the stairway. The old man was bronzed and hale-looking.
“Ha! my young friend!” he said. “Yes, I’ve been in the mountains, the pines, preparing for the battle. I want all the strength that is left in me to accomplish my mission.”