“A gentleman would like to see the Herr First Lieutenant!”
“What is his name? I told you always to get the name first.”
The man left the room, but immediately returned.
“He will not give me his name, but he says he must speak with the Herr First Lieutenant in any event.”
“Then ask him in!”
A moment later a man stepped in, carrying a large wallet under his arm, and introduced himself,—“Bailiff Krause.”
“Begging the Herr First Lieutenant’s pardon in case I should disturb him, but I have a mandate from the court. Please, here it is!”
And he took from his wallet a voluminous envelope and handed it to Borgert, who, however, did not lose his presence of mind, and answered in a pleasant tone:
“Ah, I know. Has already been settled yesterday; for I presume it is for that small amount which I owe to my tailor.”
“As far as I know, Herr First Lieutenant, it is about the matter of the firm of Froehlich & Co., the sum demanded, on bills of exchange signed by you, being four thousand marks, for furniture sold and delivered.”