"You in vain to play the skeptics, messieurs; the Count of Monte Fato exists, as surely as the ears of Glorfindeau."
"After delivering you, did he not make you sign a document in fiery letters, yielding your soul and mulberry wine to this mysterious vampire?" sallied De Brie.
"Mock as you will, messieurs!" cried Réginard, a little piqued. "When I see our Annuminasians heading to the bistro or promenading down the Champs-Valinorées, and think of that man, it seems to me that we are not of the same species."
"I flatter myself that this is so!" said Château-Renard.
"Your Count of Monte Fato is doubtless an excellent personage, leaving aside his little arrangement with the vanditti," added Boyen-Xènes-Baguines.
"There are no vanditti," said De Brie.
"No cravats of Balrogues," added Boyen-Xènes-Baguines.
"No Count of Monte Fato!" concluded De Brie. "Now shall we have nuncheon? It is precisely thirteen minutes past ten."
