"He hallooed to them:
"'Hey! you there! Close the street door! There is more draft here than in a windmill!' And he remained grumbling until his order had been executed.
"Then, resuming his seat, he proceeded:
"'Please give me that article.'
"I handed him the watch, which he began to turn about, examining and turning the winder, opening the case and the chain swivel.
"'Yes,' he said gravely, 'it is indeed a watch, there is no denying.'
"Saying which, he deposited the watch in the depths of a very large safe, closing its three locks.
"I looked with astonishment, and he resumed:
"'And where did you find this valuable article?'
"'Boulevard Saint Michel, at the corner of Rue Monsieur-le-Prince.'