"You had best go at once. If you do not, I shall take you by the
nape of your Bleibergian neck and kick you down the stairs. I
have every assurance of my privileges. The law here, unless it
has changed within the past hour, requires inspection at the
frontier, and at the capital; but your jurisdiction does not
extend beyond the stations. Bon jour, Monsieur the Spectacles;
bon jour!"
"O, Monsieur!"
"Good day!"
"Monsieur, it is my duty; I must!"
"Good day! How will you go, by the stairs or by the window? I--
but wait!" an idea coming to him which caused him to reflect on
the possible outcome of violence done to a government official,
who, perhaps, was discharging his peculiar duty at the orders of
superiors. He walked swiftly to the door and slid the bolt, to
the terror of the inspector, on whose brow drops of perspiration
began to gather. "Now," opening the hat box and taking out a
silk hat, "this is a hat, purchased in Paris at Cook's. There is
nothing in the lining but felt. Look into the box; nothing. Take
out your book and follow me closely," he continued, dividing the
traveling bag into halves, and he began to enumerate the
contents.
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