‘A gentleman of that name has opened an account with us, certainly,’ he answered cautiously. ‘But he brought the very best introductions. In fact I could not have asked for better.’ ‘Have you any objection to tell me the character of those introductions?’ ‘I don’t mind telling you that one was from a well-known citizen, a man in a very responsible position.’ ‘In short, Judge ----?’ The manager started. ‘How did you know that?’ he demanded. ‘I have been on Colonel Sigersen’s track for a long time,’ I answered evasively. ‘I venture to think that if you make inquiries, you will find that his Honour, Judge ---- knows very little about him really, and nothing at all about his financial standing.’ ‘I will communicate with his Honour, and let you know the result.’ ‘Do so, by all means. In the meanwhile, perhaps, you may be willing to tell me how this man’s credit is supplied?’ The manager hesitated. ‘I hardly know whether I ought to betray his affairs until I have something more to go upon.’ ‘Perhaps you will let me ask you if Sigersen has yet made a large payment in rouble notes?’ ‘I can answer that--no.’ ‘Then I think you may be safe for the present,’ I said. ‘When he does, I advise you to pass them on to your Russian correspondents as quickly as possible.’ This shot told. The manager became very uneasy. By degrees I worked on his fears till he invited me to examine his ledger. I did so, and found that Marloff had brought a heavy credit from a Petersburg bank, and, what was more to my purpose, had drawn several heavy cheques to the order of Judge ----. ‘So far you seem to be on the safe side,’ I commented as I finished my inspection. ‘But I have two pieces of advice to give you. On no account let this man overdraw his ascertained credit, and do not honour any cheques drawn against rouble notes till you hear from me again.’ [Illustration: “‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said.”] The manager thanked me, and allowed me to depart. I had now to consider the best way in which to approach the judge, who was not likely to prove easily gullible, as it was fairly certain that Marloff and he were in each other’s confidence. But I had underrated the Russian’s resources. On re-entering my hotel I was accosted by a man in the uniform of the Norwegian police, who informed me that he held a warrant for my arrest. ‘On what charge?’ I demanded, as soon as I had recovered from my first surprise. ‘On a charge of conspiracy against the Government of Norway,’ was the answer. ‘I arrived in Norway only yesterday,’ I exclaimed. ‘All that you can tell to the judge,’ retorted the police officer. ‘Let me see your warrant,’ I said. The man produced the paper, while the hotel manager, who had arrived on the scene, looked on astonished, as he well might. The warrant bore the signature of Judge ----. ‘Take me to the judge instantly, if you will be so good,’ I said. ‘I am going to,’ the officer returned.