“Yes, you are quite correct,” interrupted I; “that is my name. May I beg to know, in return, for what purpose you make the inquiry?”
“Thomas Burke, sir?” continued he, inattentive to my observation, and apparently about to write the name on the paper before him.
I nodded, and he wrote down the words.
“That saves a deal of trouble to all of us, sir,” said he, as he finished writing. “This is a warrant for your arrest; but the major is quite satisfied if you can give bail for your appearance.”
“Arrest!” repeated I; “on what charge am I arrested?”
“You'll hear in the morning, I suppose,” said he, quietly. “What shall we say about the bail? Have you any acquaintance or friend in town?”
“Neither; I am a perfect stranger here. But if you are authorized to arrest me, I here surrender myself at once.”
By this time, several persons of the coffee-room had approached the table, and among the rest the gentleman who so politely made way for me in the crowd to reach the door.
“What is it, Roche?” said he, addressing the man at the table; “a warrant?”
“Yes, sir; for this gentleman here. But we can take bail, if he has it.”