"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."
"Indeed, I am quite ready.
If there has been any unpleasantness, it has surely not been of my making, but rather of that little man there." The General pointed to M. Flocon rather contemptuously, and nearly started a fresh disturbance.
"Well, well, let us say no more of that, and proceed to business.
I understand," said the Judge, after fingering a few pages of the dispositions in front of him, "that you are a friend of the Contessa di Castagneto? Indeed, she has told us so herself."
"It was very good of her to call me her friend.
I am proud to hear she so considers me."
"How long have you known her?"
"Four or five months.
Since the beginning of the last winter season in Rome."
"Did you frequent her house?"
"If you mean, was I permitted to call on her on friendly terms, yes."
"Did you know all her friends?"
"How can I answer that?
I know whom I met there from time to time."
"Exactly.
Did you often meet among them a Signor—Quadling?"
"Quadling—Quadling? I cannot say that I have.
The name is familiar somehow, but I cannot recall the man."
"Have you never heard of the Roman bankers, Correse & Quadling?"
"Ah, of course.
Although I have had no dealing with them. Certainly I have never met Mr. Quadling."
"Not at the Countess's?"
"Never—of that I am quite sure."
"And yet we have had positive evidence that he was a constant visitor there."
"It is perfectly incomprehensible to me.