I extended my hand.

He took it after the manner of a provincial mayor receiving royalty.
"_Couvrez-vous, Monsieur, je vous en prie_," said I.
He covered his head.

"Monsieur," said he, "I beseech you to be seated, and do me the honour of joining me in the coffee and excellent cognac of this establishment." "Willingly," said I, mindful of Lola's tale of the long knife which he carried concealed about his person.
"Permit me to present my friend Monsieur Achille Saupiquet--Monsieur de Gex, a great English statesman and a friend of that _gnadigsten Engel_, Madame Lola Brandt." Monsieur Saupiquet and I saluted each other formally.

I took a seat.
Professor Anastasius Papadopoulos moved a bundle of papers tied up with pink ribbon from in front of me, and ordered coffee and cognac.
"Monsieur Saupiquet also knows Madame Brandt," he explained.
"_Bien sur_," said Monsieur Saupiquet.

"She owes me fifteen sous." Papadopoulos turned on his sharply.