He held out both his hands to Louis.
"Dear Louis," he exclaimed, "it is good to see you!" Louis drew him to one side, and they talked for a few moments in a rapid undertone.

More than once the manager of the restaurant, for such I imagined him to be, glanced towards me, and I was fairly certain that I formed the subject of their conversation.

When it was finished Louis beckoned, and we all three turned towards the door together, Louis in the centre.
"This," he said to me, "is Monsieur Carvin, the manager of the Cafe des Deux Epingles.

He has been explaining to me how difficult it is to find even a corner in his restaurant, but there will be a small table for us." Monsieur Carvin bowed.
"For any friend of Louis," he said, "one would do much.

But indeed, monsieur, people seem to find my little restaurant interesting, and it is, alas, so very small." We entered the room almost as he spoke.