It was therefore with small prospect of success that the Cossack began his search for Fischelowitz.
Only a man who has sought anxiously for another, all through the late evening, in a great city, knows how hopeless the attempt seems after the first hour.

The rapid motion through many dusky streets, the looking in, from time to time, upon some merry company assembled in a warm room under a brilliant light, the anxious search among the guests for the familiar figure, the disappointment, as each fancied resemblance shows, on near approach, a face unknown to the searcher, the hurried exit and the quick passage through the dark night air to the next halting-place--all these impressions, following hurriedly upon each other, confuse the mind and at last discourage hope.
Schmidt did not realise how late it was, when, abandoning his search for his employer, he turned towards the police-station in the hope of still rendering some assistance to his friend.

He could not gain admittance to the presence of the officer in charge, however, and was obliged to content himself with the assurance that the Count had been treated "with consideration," as the phrase was, and that there would be plenty of time for talking in the morning.

The policemen in the guard-room were sleepy and not disposed to enter into conversation.

Schmidt turned his steps in the direction of the tobacconist's house for the second time, in sheer despair.