CHAPTER XII.
"I thought you were dead!" gasped the Cossack in dismay.
There was no answer.

The Count did not appear to hear Schmidt's voice nor to see his figure.

He acted like a man walking in his sleep, and it was by no means certain to the friend who watched him that his eyes were always open.

As though nothing unusual had happened, the Count calmly undressed himself and got into bed.

Three minutes later he was sound asleep and breathing regularly.
For a long time Johann Schmidt stood transfixed with wonder in his place at the open window.