His clever old servant, Susanne, of whom 'twas said she would, did she but choose, make as clever a detective as her master (she had served him for more than forty years), brought us coffee so quickly that it would almost seem as if she had been aware that we should reach the house at that particular moment.
"We have plenty of time to spare," said my host.

"In the meantime it will be necessary for us to find out what they are doing.

If you will wait I will despatch a messenger, who will procure us the information." He wrote something on a half-sheet of note-paper, rang the bell, and handed it to Susanne.
"Give that to Leon," he said, "and tell him to be off with it at once." The woman disappeared, and when she had gone we resumed our conversation.

Had he not had the good fortune to be such a great success in his own profession, what an admirable actor the man would have made! His power of facial contortion was extraordinary, and I believe that on demand he could have imitated almost any face that struck his fancy.
"And now with regard to our little excursion," he said.

"What would you like to be?
As you are aware, I can offer you a varied selection.