"I must beg permission to communicate a few words to your Excellency in private."
"Very well."
Kokoshkin went towards the bay-window followed by the Inspector.
"What is it?"
The Inspector's indistinct whispers could be heard, and the General's loud interjections.
"H'm, yes! Well, what then? . . . . It is possible. . . . . They take care to come out dry. . . . . Anything more?"
"Nothing, sir."
The General came out of the bay-window, sat down at his desk, and began to read. He read the report in silence without showing any signs of uneasiness or suspicion, and then turning to the man who had been saved, asked in a loud voice:
"How comes it, my friend, that you got into the open places before the Palace?"
"Forgive me!"
"So! You were drunk?"
"Excuse me, I was not drunk, but only tipsy."
"Why did you get into the water?"
"I wanted to cut across the ice, lost my way, and got into the water."
"That means it was dark before your eyes."
"It was dark; it was dark all round, your Excellency."
