PARIS 9
transparent and as smooth as brown satin. The
hot blood of the tropics mantled in his cheeks, while
his eyes flashed at times in a way suggestive of an
unlimited reserve of potential energy.
Yussuif strode along with an assured air. He
held in his hand a map of the quarter, and referred
once or twice to a small compass attached to his
watch-chain. It was evident that his course had
been the subject of previous study, and he had all
the appearance of a man accustomed to master
topography rapidly. He soon found himself com¬
fortably seated before a breakfast such as can
only be had in one of the most noted Paris
restaurants,
Yussuff leaned back in his chair and looked
around with a vast contentment. After many hard¬
ships, there is a sense of intense physical comfort in
luxurious surroundings. While he gave himself up
to thinking how pleasant this sort of life was, a very
long man stalked rather than walked towards the
table at which he sat. A waiter came forward with
empressement and placed a chair, with a manner
suggesting that the new-comer was an habitue being
assigned his accustomed place. The stranger sat
down, bowing stiffly and saying, ' Bonjour, monsieur,'
with an unmistakable foreign accent.
* Bonjour, monsieur,'' said Yussuff; and then,
breaking into English: ' I speak not the French
well, but I understand a little; il faut I'usage, il faut
Vhabitude.'
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