apparent. If a magistrate came, he would be obliged to see him, but he
knew that his period of illness could cover a multitude of remembrances.

The magistrate came with a clerk, and questioned with an air of
importance. Renwick realized that if he refused to answer, he might make
himself an object of suspicion, and endanger the chances of his release
upon recovery, and so, as he was not under oath, he invented skillfully.

"What is your name?"

"Peter Langer."

"What nationality?"

"Austrian, if you like. I am a citizen of the world."

The magistrate examined him over his glasses.

"The world is large. From what part of Austria did you come?"

"Vienna."

"Your parents are Viennese?"

"They were in Vienna when I was young."

"Were they born there?"

"I do not know."

"It is necessary that you should."

"I am sorry if it is necessary. I do not know."

"What brought you to Sarajevo?"

"I am a wanderer. I wished to see the world."

"A wish that has almost proved fatal. You have no business?"

"Merely the business of wandering."

The magistrate frowned.

"I beg that you will take this matter seriously, Herr Langer."

"I do. It is not in the least amusing."

The man consulted his notes for a moment.

"Where were you on the night of June twenty-eight?"

"I have been ill for a month. Dates mean nothing to me. My memory is
bad."

"Ah! Well, then, where were you on the night of the assassination?"

"What assassination----?"

"The assassination of the Archduke," replied the magistrate sternly.

"In Sarajevo, I should say."

"_Natuerlich._ But in what place?"

"In the street, perhaps--or in a house. I don't remember."

"I beg that you make the effort to remember."

"I cannot," said Renwick after a pause.

"You must."

"My mind is clouded."

The magistrate exchanged a glance with the nurse, who stood at the head
of the bed, and spoke to her. "This man talks to you quite rationally?"

Fraeulein Roth hesitated and then said: "Yes. But he has been very ill. I
should suggest that you excuse him where possible."

"H--m! This is a matter of great seriousness. A police officer has been
murdered by a person or persons unknown. This man was found near his
body, both of them left for dead. It is not possible that he can have
forgotten the circumstances--the fight, the shooting which preceded his
unconsciousness." And then to Renwick--"You knew Nicholas Szarvas?"

"No."

"I would remind yo