On the second floor Gaston made a halt before a door upon which several names were painted.

They passed through into a large and lofty room.

The paper on the walls of this delectable chamber was torn and spotted, and a light railing ran along it, behind which sat two or three clerks, whose chief occupation appeared to be consuming the breakfast which they had brought with them to the office.

The heat of the stove, which was burning in one corner of the room, the general mouldiness of the atmosphere, and the smell of the coarse food, were sufficient to turn the stomach of any one coming in from the fresh air.
"Where is M.Verminet ?" asked Gaston authoritatively.
"Engaged," replied one of the clerks, without pausing to empty his mouth before he replied.
"Don't you talk to me like that.

What do I care whether he is engaged or not?
Tell him that Gaston de Gandelu desires to see him at once." The clerk was evidently impressed by his visitor's manner, and, taking the card which was handed to him, made his exit through a door at the other end of the room.
Gaston was delighted at this first victory, and glanced at Andre with a triumphant smile.
The clerk came back almost at once.