“I especially regret that this should have happened to you, Mr. Caruth,” he said apologetically. “You must already have a very poor opinion of Russia, I fear, after your unfortunate experience in the Sea Spume.”
A qualm came to Caruth as he realized that he was known, but it quickly passed. After all, the knowledge merely anticipated the story he was about to tell.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Such things happen everywhere, Monsieur,” he replied. “Don’t trouble about it.”
The Baron smiled. “Certain inquiries must be made,” he answered. “Can you give me a description of the person who robbed you?”
The young man hesitated. Lying did not come easily to him.
“Not very well,” he said reluctantly. “I had no reason for noticing him. Generally speaking, he was tall and broad and had a thick beard.”
“We found the beard in the railway carriage. He carried off your overcoat and hat, you say?”
“Probably.”
“Then he could not have been very stout. You are too slender for your clothing to fit a very large man. Is it not so?”
Caruth put his hand painfully to his head. “I guess I’d have thought of that myself if my head had been clear,” he evaded. “A crack like that isn’t conducive to lucidity.”