25
"'Then I play mechanically, and in a humdrum kind of way.'
"'Can you guess whom your listener was this evening?' added Briancourt, smiling sardonically, and then with a leer at me.
"'One of the many beautiful ladies of course,' quoth Odillot, 'you are a lucky fellow.'
"'Yes,' said another, 'I wish I were your neighbour at that table d'hôte, so that you might pass me the dish after you have helped yourself.'
"'Was it some beautiful girl?' said Courtois questioningly. Teleny looked deep into my eyes, smiled faintly, and replied:
"'Perhaps.'
"'Do you think you will ever know your listener?' enquired Briancourt.
"Teleny again fixed his eyes on mine, and added faintly:
"'Perhaps.'
"'But what clue have you to lead to this discovery?' asked Odillot.
"'His visions must coincide with mine.'
"'I know what my vision would be if I had any,' quoth Odillot.
