"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?"