tom of
the stairs. On the top step, about to descend from the festive place,
the form of Prince Galltch appeared. Koupriane received the sight like a
blow stopping him short in his ascent. Galitch had an exultant air which
Koupriane did not mistake. Evidently he had arrived too late. He felt
the certainty of it in profound discouragement. And this appearance of
the prince on the Barque explained convincingly enough the reason for
Katharina's flight here.

If the Bohemian had filched the papers or the portfolio from the dead,
it was the prince now who had them in his pocket.

Koupriane, as he saw the prince about to pass him, trembled. The prince
saluted him and ironically amused himself by inquiring:

"Well, well, how do you do, my dear Monsieur Koupriane. Your Excellency
has risen in good time this morning, it seems to me. Or else it is I who
start for bed too late."

"Prince," said Koupriane, "my men are in pursuit of a little Bohemian
named Katharina, well known in the restaurants where she sings. We have
seen her go into the Barque. Have you met her by any chance?"

"Good Lord, Monsieur Koupriane, I am not the concierge of the Barque,
and I have not noticed anything at all, and nobody. Besides, I am
naturally a little sleepy. Pardon me."

"Prince, it is not possible that you have not seen Katharina."

"Oh, Monsieur the Prefect of Police, if I had seen her I would not tell
you about it, since you are pursuing her. Do you take me for one of your
bloodhounds? They say you have them in all classes, but I insist that I
haven't enlisted yet. You have made a mistake, Monsieur Koupriane."

The prince saluted again. But Koupriane still stood in his way.

"Prince, consider that this matter is very serious. Michael
Nikolaievitch, General Trebassof's orderly, is dead, and this little
girl has stolen his papers from his body. All persons who have spoken
with Katharina will be under suspicion. This is an affair of State,
monsieur, which may reach very far. Can you swear to me that you have
not seen, that you have not spoken to Katharina?"

The prince looked at Koupriane so insolently that the Prefect turned
pale with rage. Ah, if he were able--if he only dared!--but such men as
this were beyond him. Galitch walked past him without a word of answer,
and ordered the schwitzar to call him a carriage.

"Very well," said Koupriane, "I will make my report to the Tsar."

Galitch turned. He was as pale as Koupriane.

"In t