But Detricand answered the Chevalier with a look of blank surprise and a shrug of the shoulder, which had the effect desired.
"Thank you, Chevalier," said he with quizzical humour.

"Now I know who I am, and if it isn't too soon to levy upon the kinship, I shall dine with you today, chevalier.

I paid my debts yesterday, and sous are scarce, but since we are distant cousins I may claim grist at the family mill, eh ?" The Chevalier sat, or rather dropped into his chair again.
"Then you are not the Comte de Tournay, monsieur," said he hopelessly.
"Then I shall not dine with you to-day," retorted Detricand gaily.
"You fit the tale," said de Mauprat dubiously, touching the letter with his finger.
"Let me see," rejoined Detricand.

"I've been a donkey farmer, a shipmaster's assistant, a tobacco pedlar, a quarryman, a wood merchant, an interpreter, a fisherman--that's very like the Comte de Tournay! On Monday night I supped with a smuggler; on Tuesday I breakfasted on soupe a la graisse with Manon Moignard the witch; on Wednesday I dined with Dormy Jamais and an avocat disbarred for writing lewd songs for a chocolate-house; on Thursday I went oyster-fishing with a native who has three wives, and a butcher who has been banished four times for not keeping holy the Sabbath Day; and I drank from eleven o'clock till sunrise this morning with three Scotch sergeants of the line--which is very like the Comte de Tournay, as you were saying, Chevalier! I am five feet eleven, and the Comte de Tournay was five feet ten--which is no lie," he added under his breath.

"I have a scar, but it's over my left shoulder and not over my right--which is also no lie," he added under his breath.