"No whispering allowed here," interposed the assessor. "Do not dare hatch any new plots in my presence. Once again, your names? Will you answer me?"
"And so you take us for conspirators?" said the young man, drawing himself up and gazing contemptuously down upon his accuser.
"And for traitors also," added Hubert.
"And for traitors also? Yes, the two vocations are usually united."
The assessor was dumbfounded at such insolence. "I command you for the last time to give me your names and to hand me your papers," he said. "Do you dare refuse?"
The younger visitor sat down in a very unconcerned manner upon the arm of his companion's chair, and said, coolly,--
"Yes, we dare!"
"Sir, I believe you presume to make sport of me," shrieked the assessor, his face glowing with anger. "Do you not know that this will make your case all the more serious? The police department of L----"
"Must be in a very deplorable condition to choose you for its representative," added the young man, with entire composure.
This was more than mortal man could bear. The insulted official was beside himself with rage.