Nothing escapes Pierre, and he is discreet, oh, yes, my friend, he is discreet.
He will not obtrude himself, but he will know all that your friend does, to whom he speaks, what he said to him, and sometimes even what he intends doing before he does it." "In that case he is just the man for me," I replied.

"I am exceedingly obliged to you for your considerate courtesy.

Some day I may be able to repay it." Within half-an-hour the estimable Lepallard had been made acquainted with his duties, and within an hour a ragged tatterdemalion of a man was selling matches on the opposite side of the road to that on which Hayle's apartments were situated.
I reached the restaurant at which we were to dine that evening punctual to the moment, only to find that Hayle had not yet arrived.

For a minute I was tempted to wonder whether he had given me the slip again, but while the thought was passing through my mind a cab drove up, and the gentleman himself alighted.
"I must beg your pardon for keeping you waiting," he said apologetically.

"As your host I should have been here first.