The man withdrew, and, a few minutes after, returned with a smiling face.
"The count is at home and begs the gentleman to come in," he said, throwing the door wide open and standing respectfully beside it.
Commissioner Kraus, smiling, stepped past him into the anteroom.

A door on the opposite side opened, and the tall figure of a man attired in the Austrian uniform appeared.
"Is it really you, my dear Kraus!" he cried.

"So you have returned already.
Come, come, I have longed to see you." Holding out his hand to the visitor, he drew him hastily into the next room.
"You have longed to see me, my dear count," said Kraus, laughing, "and yet I was within an ace of being turned from your door.

Since when have you lived in a barricaded apartment, count ?" "Since the spies of the French governor of Vienna, Count Andreossy, have watched my door and pursued my every step," replied the count, smiling.
"But now speak, my dear Kraus.

You went to Totis?
You talked with the Emperor Francis ?" "I went to Totis and talked with the Emperor Francis." "Good heavens! you say it with such a gloomy, solemn expression.