"Messieurs," said a notary, raising the pen solemnly in the air, "one will sign the contract."
"My friend," said Mme. de Sacqueville-Danglars to her husband, "I am at the point of despair. A shocking incident deprives us of M. de Villefaramir."
"Oh, mon Érou!" said Sacqueville-Danglars, in the same tone wherein one would have said, "The matter is as indifferent to me as the question whether balrogues have cravates!"
"Luthienne la belle dame sans merci!" said Monte Fato, approaching. "I fear I am the involuntary cause of this absence."
Andurillo pricked up the ears.
"You recall," said the Count in the middle of the most profound silence (profound silences were all the rage that saison), "that it is chez moi that the wretch who had come to rob me was murthered, as is believed, by his accomplice?"
"Oui," said Sacqueville-Danglars.
"My valet de chambre Gustave Ringo-Starr à l’Anneau d’ennui found in the near pocket of the gilet of the victim a letter addressed to you, baron."
"To me?" cried Sacqueville-Danglars.
