"You lie. You know it now. Come, out with it!"
"I'll say it then—Oh! my throat!—the Countess Kamienszka."
"Did you hear it from him?"
"No, it is my own idea, for he wrote her a letter while about to fly and sent me to the post with it, that is what put them on his track, I should think."
"That is none of your business, where is the man now? Don't lie! I shall know if you do, and in that case I will make an end of you at once."
"He is safe enough now, Mr. Officer, I assure you. He escaped before daybreak, but I denounced him, and he was arrested at the house of his own father."
The stranger dashed the fellow's head furiously against the wall, then flung him on the floor and kicked him.
"You denounced him, eh? Oh! you detestable dog!"
"But what is the matter, sir? Why do you strike me again? Surely I did right? I had him arrested, and they locked him up. He is in the pillory already, I daresay. What harm have I done?"
The stranger made an effort to master his passion, and, controlling his rage, answered coldly,