“O-ho!” laughed the big Russian. “They deny it. O-ho!”
Frank also deemed it best to keep up the pretense.
“I assure you, your Excellency,” he said, “that you are mistaken in us. We are French gentlemen.”
Frank purposely threw a slight German accent into his voice and the big Russian noticed it immediately.
“French! and with an accent like that?” he demanded. “Come! where are the papers you carry?”
“Papers?” echoed Jack, in well simulated surprise.
“Yes, papers. I said papers and I mean papers,” declared the count. “Where are they?”
“Do you think we are fools, that we carry papers with us?” demanded Jack somewhat angrily, it seemed to Count Blowinski.
This answer rather pleased the count, for it gave him the idea that he had two shrewd young men before him. He lowered his voice suddenly.
“Come,” he said. “It is all right. I am Count Blowinski. It is for me the papers you carry are intended.”