I produced the forged papers.
“I am an inspector attached to the Third Section, as you will see. I must inform you, however, that I am not here with the knowledge of my superiors.”
The German gave a glance at the papers, which were similar to others which he must have had presented to him from time to time.
“That is all satisfactory,” he said, as he returned them to me. “But you say that you have a message from M. Petrovitch?”
“He had no opportunity of giving me any but this,” I responded, producing the passport.
This time Finkelstein seemed really satisfied.
“It is clear that you know something about him, at least,” he remarked. “I will listen to what you have to say.”
“M. Petrovitch is confined in Schlüsselburg.”
The name of the dreaded fortress, the last home of so many political prisoners, caused Finkelstein a shock.