"And what procures me this pleasure?" asked Philip.
"The pleasure is a very doubtful one, Herr Schmidt. I have a warrant against you!"
The officer took a paper from his breast-pocket, and so held it that Philip could easily have read it by the lamp over the billiard-table; but Philip had taken up a ball, and was making a hazard.
"A warrant! How very strange! Look there! a double hazard too! Are you a billiard player, Herr Müller?"
"Occasionally, when I have time, which I seldom have--for instance, not at present. I must therefore beg of you to follow me without delay."
"And leave my guests? But, Herr Müller, just imagine--four hundred people, and no host! It is absolutely impossible!"
"It must be possible."
"But it is not necessary. You are my guest. Toilette at this hour is of no consequence; besides, you are got up regardless. Remain by my side, of course--a cousin who has just arrived--what you will! Your men, in plain clothes I take it for granted, can amuse themselves finely meanwhile with my people. Afterwards we can drive together in my carriage----"
"You are very kind, but a carriage is already provided, and now stands in the courtyard amongst a number of equipages, so that we need not again pass through the vestibule. You see, Herr Schmidt, I go to work with the greatest consideration; but I must now really beg that you will not put my patience to a longer test."
Philip rolled the ball which he held in his hand from him at random, and turned round.