opher, calming down, and looking
perfectly resigned to his fate. "A visitor who may become my pupil, and
aid me in making my grand discovery, which has, through your
interference, been so long delayed."

"Any one who desires to become your pupil must be a remarkably silly
fellow," observed the dwarf. "If he is there, let him show himself.
Come out, whoever you are, and I'll know how you ventured into this
house without leave."

The Count, on hearing this, stepped forth from his hiding-place.
"Honest man, pray understand, in the first place, that I have no desire
to become the pupil of this philosophical gentleman, that I most
unintentionally entered the house, and shall be extremely obliged to you
if you will let me out as soon as possible," he said; and he briefly
explained how he had happened to get into the loft.

"That being the case, as soon as I have secured this poor old man for
the night, I will show you out into the street," answered the dwarf; and
taking hold of the lamp with one hand and with the other grasping the
arm of the philosopher, who moved on as meekly as a lamb, he led the way
up the steps, the Count following close behind. After proceeding along
several passages he reached a door, when, producing a key from his
pocket, he opened it.

"Go in," he said to the philosopher, "and wait till I come back." The
latter obeyed, and the dwarf locked him in.

"Now, Mynheer," he said, "having disposed of that poor old fellow for
the present, I will show you the way out into the street; but take care
you do not fall into the canal. You will not find any hotel in this
part of the town fit for a gentleman of your rank; but if you go on
straight before you and then turn to the right, then to the left, then
to the right again, you may possibly meet with your friend whom you
desire to find; if not, a watchman will take charge of you, should he
not lock you up, and will help you to find an hotel."

This was not altogether satisfactory, for the Count doubted very much
whether he should be able to follow the directions he had received; but
he wanted to get into the open air, and he hoped that he should somehow
or other find his way. He was not in the best possible mood, and had
little expectation of finding the Baron; he was desperately hungry, and
was afraid that his portmanteau was lost, which would certainly be the
case if the sloop had gone to the bottom. However, finding himself in
the open air, he wen