पृष्ठ 841 / 1294

"What? Why, then you were the surprise? But how could it happen?

Upon my word!"

"I saw that the porters did not want to do what I said," began

the man; "for it's too late, said they, and maybe he'll be angry

that we did not come at the time. I was vexed and I lost my

sleep, and I began making inquiries. And finding out yesterday

where to go, I went to-day. The first time I went he wasn't

there, when I came an hour later he couldn't see me. I went the

third time, and they showed me in. I informed him of everything,

just as it happened, and he began skipping about the room and

punching himself on the chest. 'What do you scoundrels mean by

it? If I'd known about it I should have arrested him!' Then he

ran out, called somebody and began talking to him in the corner,

then he turned to me, scolding and questioning me. He scolded me

a great deal; and I told him everything, and I told him that you

didn't dare to say a word in answer to me yesterday and that you

didn't recognise me.