The judge bit his lip. He clearly did not know how to proceed. I, of course, could see that it was not his game to bring me to a public trial. ‘It seems to me, sir, that it is a mistake for us to quarrel,’ I said after giving him a minute for reflection. ‘If I have annoyed Count Marloff by recognising him, that is not an offence against the law of Norway, I presume. On the other hand, if I am right in my conjectures, or rather my _instructions_, the Count himself should be the last man to provoke a public inquiry into his business here. Your Honour knows the law better than I, but I should have thought there might be something in the business transacted between you and the Count which would not look well----’ He interrupted me. ‘I want to know why you are here. If you are a friend, of course there is no need to quarrel. If not’--he shrugged his shoulders. ‘I came as a friend,’ I replied. ‘I came prepared to co-operate with you, to assist you, in fact. But I must first know how you stand with regard to Marloff. Is he your personal friend, or are the relations between you exclusively political?’ ‘I have no personal feeling for him,’ was the guarded answer. ‘Very good. In that case your Honour shall see my real credentials. I must tell you frankly that Count Marloff has ceased to enjoy the implicit confidence of his and my Government.’ I put my hand into an inner pocket, and produced a slip of paper in the forged handwriting of the Russian Foreign Minister. ‘Does your Honour recognise that writing?’ I asked, with a confident air. Judge ---- was completely deceived. He glanced at the few lines, which were in French, with an air of the greatest respect. Then he looked at me. ‘I must apologise, Prince ----’ he began, when I raised a warning finger. ‘Hush! Not my real name, please.’ I took back the paper with an air as if my life depended on its preservation, and restored it to my pocket. ‘I am exceedingly sorry to have had to show you this,’ I said gravely. ‘I have, in fact, exceeded my instructions, which were simply to watch Count Marloff and report on the progress he was making. His own violent action has forced me to go further than I wished. I am sorry to say it confirms the suspicion entertained in the Foreign Office that he is playing a double game. He is a _protégé_ of M. de Witte’s, but M. de Witte is not infallible. ‘Now I am afraid I must ask your Honour to take me into your confidence. I trust you have not put yourself into Marloff’s power? I know that he has paid you considerable sums.’ Judge ---- looked decidedly nervous. ‘I have given him nothing in writing, I believe,’ he answered, glancing at the same time at an iron safe let into the wall of the room. ‘So far, so good. It is writing that counts in these affairs. Have you any objection to my seeing the memoranda you have made of your conversations with him?’ The judge stared at me as if I had been a wizard.