As his mind had grown clearer, the wisdom of his decision became more 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.
"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?"
"I am sorry if it is necessary. I do not know."
"I am a wanderer. I wished to see the world."
"A wish that has almost proved fatal. You have no business?"
"I beg that you will take this matter seriously, Herr Langer."
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?"
"The assassination of the Archduke," replied the magistrate sternly.
"In the street, perhaps--or in a house. I don't remember."
"I beg that you make the effort to remember."
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?"
Fräulein 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?"
"I would remind you that this is the man who was found dead beside you."
"What are your recollections of the evening I have mentioned?"
"You remember having an altercation with someone?"
"But before your dreams, when you were conscious?"
"Szarvas was stabbed. Did you see him attacked?"
The magistrate got up frowning, and paced up and down the room, his hands behind his back.