"Go and call him, Akulina," said Fischelowitz, "since the gentleman wishes to see him."
"Go yourself," retorted his wife.
"Go together, and be quick about it!" said the Consul, who was tired of waiting.
"And please to say that I wait his convenience," added the lawyer.
Dumnoff moved to Schmidt's side and whispered into his ear.
"Do you think they have come about the Gigerl?" he inquired anxiously. "Do you think they will arrest us again?"
"Durak!" laughed the Cossack. "How can two Russian gentlemen arrest you in Munich? This is something connected with the Count's friends. It is my belief that they have come at last. See—here he is."
The Count now entered from the back shop, calm and collected, as though not expecting anything extraordinary. The Russian Consul took off his hat and bowed with great politeness and the Count returned the salutation with equal civility. Fischelowitz and Akulina stood in the background anxiously watching events.
The lawyer also bowed and then, turning his face to the light, held his hand out.
"You have not forgotten me, Count Skariatine?" he said, in a tone of inquiry.