My good friend Saupiquet is attached to a circus at present stationed in Toulon.

He came over, at my request, to see me--on affairs of the deepest importance"-- he waved the bundle of papers--"the very deepest importance.

_Nicht wahr_, Saupiquet ?" "_Bien sur_," murmured Saupiquet, who evidently did not count loquacity among his vices.
I wondered whether these important affairs concerned the whereabouts of Captain Vauvenarde; but the dwarf's air of mystery forbade my asking for his confidence.

Besides, what should a groom in a circus know of retired Captains of Chasseurs?
I said: "You're a very busy man, Monsieur le Professeur." He tapped his domelike forehead.

"I am never idle.