n which case
Monsieur--Block? thank you--would no doubt render valuable assistance."

This speech restored confidence, and a few minutes later the two
detectives, already excellent friends from the freemasonry of a common
craft, left the station in a closed cab.

CHAPTER IX

"What next?" asked the Judge.

"That pestilent English officer, if you please, M. le Juge," said the
detective. "That fire-eating, swashbuckling soldier, with his blustering
barrack-room ways. I long to come to close quarters with him. He
ridiculed me, taunted me, said I knew nothing--we will see, we will
see."

"In fact, you wish to interrogate him yourself. Very well. Let us have
him in."

When Sir Charles Collingham entered, he included the three officials in
one cold, stiff bow, waited a moment, and then, finding he was not
offered a chair, said with studied politeness:

"I presume I may sit down?"

"Pardon. Of course; pray be seated," said the Judge, hastily, and
evidently a little ashamed of himself.

"Ah! thanks. Do you object?" went on the General, taking out a silver
cigarette-case. "May I offer one?" He handed round the box affably.

"We do not smoke on duty," answered the Chief, rudely. "Nor is smoking
permitted in a court of justice."

"Come, come, I wish to show no disrespect. But I cannot recognize this
as a court of justice, and I think, if you will forgive me, that I shall
take three whiffs. It may help me keep my temper."

He was evidently making game of them. There was no symptom remaining of
the recent effervescence when he was acting as the Countess's champion,
and he was perfectly--nay, insolently calm and self-possessed.

"You call yourself General Collingham?" went on the Chief.

"I do not call myself. I am General Sir Charles Collingham, of the
British Army."

"Retired?"

"No, I am still on the active list."

"These points will have to be verified."

"With all my heart. You have already sent to the British Embassy?"

"Yes, but no one has come," answered the detective, contemptuously.

"If you disbelieve me, why do you question me?"

"It is our duty to question you, and yours to answer. If not, we have
means to make you. You are suspected, inculpated in a terrible crime,
and your whole attitude is--is--objectionable--unworthy--disgr--"

"Gently, gently, my dear colleague," interposed the Judge. "If you will
permit me, I will take up this. And you, M. le General, I am sure you
cannot wish to imped