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 impede or obstruct us; we represent the law of this country.”

“Have I done so, M. le Juge?” answered the General, with the utmost courtesy, as he threw away his half-burned cigarette.

“No, no.  I do not imply that in the least.  I only entreat you, as a good and gallant gentleman, to meet us in a proper spirit and give us your best help.”