The officer smiled and perpetrated an official jest.
"Herr Dumnoff has given evidence of great strength, but owing to his peculiar situation at the present time, I cannot trust to the strength of his evidence." The policemen laughed respectfully.
"Have you no one else ?" asked the officer.
"Herr Fischelowitz will willingly vouch for what I say." "At this hour, Herr Fischelowitz is doubtless asleep, and would certainly be justified in refusing to come here out of mere complaisance.

I am afraid, Count Skariatine, that I must have the honour of being your host until morning." "It is impossible to describe our relative positions with greater courtesy," answered the Count, gravely, and not taking the least notice of the officer's ironical tone.

The latter looked at the speaker curiously and then suddenly changed his manner.

He was convinced that he was speaking with a gentleman.
"I regret that I am obliged to put you to such inconvenience," he said, politely.

"Treat the gentleman with every consideration," he added, addressing the policemen in a tone of authority, "and let me have no complaints of unnecessary rudeness either." "I thank you, Herr Hauptmann," said the Count, simply.
Thus was the Count deprived of his liberty on the very eve of his return to all the brilliant advantages of wealth and social station.