Many Stones in La Rochelle

Gaius and Margaret are in La Rochelle. They have passed under the Grosse Horloge. It is a big clock on a fourteenth century archway.

 But where to go next?

Margaret notices a man standing nearby, with a book in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. She nudges Gaius.

Look Gaius, she says. That man has a copy of La Princesse de Babylone, and our instructions for Baby Pierre!

She approaches the man.

Excusez-moi, monsieur, says Margaret.

Oui? says the man.

Do you speak English? says Margaret. May I ask where you got that book, and the piece of paper you're holding?

I do not know, says the man. It was in with my lunch.

Was there also a little stone in your lunch? asks Margaret? Name of Baby Pierre?

Certainly not, says the man. I should have noticed.

He is tiny, says Margaret hopefully. Have you still got the bag?

No, I have thrown it away, says the man. Your stone, what does it look like?

He is round, says Margaret. And stone-coloured. With the mark of a tulip on his head.

It's the mark of the lobster claw, says Gaius, to Margaret. He is most particular about that.

Sacre Bleu! says the man

You know him? says Gaius

No, says the man. I can't help you. But here is his book. And this paper was inside it.

These are our instructions to find our apartment, says Margaret. And we can't understand them. What does this mean, head of city streets?

Perhaps I can help you, says the man. He looks at the paper.

Rue Chef de Ville, he says immediately. Just over there.

Thank you so much, says Margaret.

Thank you, says Gaius.

And thank you for returning the book, adds Margaret.

Don't mention it, says the man. Enjoy your stay in La Rochelle. You will find there are many stones here.