‘I do not believe a word you have said,’ he declared. ‘Show me your papers.’
I produced the passport and credentials from the Russian police with which I had been careful to provide myself. They were, of course, forged.
‘I will retain these and ascertain if they are genuine,’ the judge observed.
‘Your Honour means that you will submit them to the suspected man,’ I returned boldly.
‘How dare you say that? How dare you call’—he hesitated for a second—‘Colonel Sigersen a suspected man? You know perfectly well who he is.’
‘I know him to be the most skilful forger in Russia,’ I answered, not quite untruthfully.
Judge —— glared at me as if he would like to have struck me.
‘What nonsense! You know his real name.’
‘What difference does that make, your Honour?’
‘You know he is a man in high position, in the confidence of his Government.’