s there; you can make tests, and, if you are satisfied, I shall be
very happy to oblige your excellency."

Prince Shadursky immediately finished dressing, ordered his carriage,
and went out with the supposititious Valyajnikoff. They drove to a
shabby hotel and went to a dingy room.

"This is my poor abode. I am only here on the wing, so to speak. I
humbly request you to be seated," Mr. Escrocevitch said obsequiously.
"Not to lose precious time, perhaps your excellency would like to look
at my wares? Here they are--and I am most willing to show them."

And he dragged from under the bed a big trunk, in which were five
canvas bags of various sizes, packed full and tied tightly.

"Here, here it is! This is our Siberian dust," he said, smiling and
bowing, indicating the trunk with a wave of his hand, as if
introducing it to Prince Shadursky.

"Would not your excellency be so good as to choose one of these bags
to make a test? It will be much better if you see yourself that the
business is above board, with no swindle about it. Choose whichever
you wish!"

Shadursky lifted one of the bags from the trunk, and when Mr.
Escrocevitch untied it before the young prince's eyes appeared a mass
of metallic grains, at which he gazed not without inward pleasure.

"How are you going to make a test?" he asked. "We have no blow-pipes
nor test-tubes here?"

"Make your mind easy, your excellency! We shall find everything we
require--blow-pipes and test-tubes and nitric acid, and even a decimal
weighing machine. In our business we arrange matters in such a way
that we need not disturb outsiders. Only charcoal we haven't got, but
we can easily send for some."

And going to the door, he gave the servant in the passage an order,
and a few minutes later the latter returned with a dish of charcoal.

"First class! Now everything is ready," cried Mr. Escrocevitch,
rubbing his hands; and for greater security he turned the key in the
door.

"Take whichever piece of charcoal you please, your excellency; but,
not to soil your hands, you had better let me take it myself, and you
sprinkle some of the dust on it," and he humbled himself before the
prince. "Forgive me for asking you to do it all yourself, since it is
not from any lack of politeness on my part, but simply in order that
your excellency should be fully convinced that there is no deception."
Saying this, he got his implements ready and lit the lamp.

The blow-pipe came into actio