“Of course that is against the regulations, but if your Excellency authorises it?” said the other, hesitating.
“Certainly, I authorise it. By the way, I see a name here of a man whom I used to know something about—Karl Josef. You have put him in No. 79. Is that a fairly comfortable room?”
“It is one of the best in the prison. Now you mention it, I remember I was struck by something distinguished in the air of that prisoner, and that was why I gave it to him.”
“It was a proof of your discrimination. Let him have a respectable companion, if you can find one.”
“Oh, I think I shall be able to dispose of the rest without using his room, if your Excellency takes an interest in him.”
Herr Moritz frowned.
“Certainly not. I am not interested in any man who has broken the law. Let him be treated exactly like the rest.”
The governor hastened to murmur an apology, and the work of taking the prisoners’ names and distributing them among the cells was resumed.
The Minister stood idly looking on till a prisoner entered, in the custody of an officer, who appeared to be unconnected with the rest, and who gave his name as Hans Trübner. Then Herr Moritz bent over and whispered in the governor’s ear—
“He looks a better class of man. Suppose you send him to No. 79.”