"Do I understand, Count, that you have brought me all the way from my place in Hampstead to decide a bet ?" "Ah, but sir, it is a bet most important," said Ferruci, with a smile.
"This Mr.Denzil declares that he saw me in Pim--Pim--what ?" "In Pimlico," said Lucian, seeing that Ferruci could not pronounce the word.

"I say that the Count was in Pimlico on Christmas Eve." "You are wrong, sir," said Jorce, with a wave of his skinny hand.

"My friend, Count Ferruci, was in my house at Hampstead on that evening." "Was he ?" remarked Lucian, astonished at this confident assertion.

"And at what time did he leave ?" "He did not leave till next morning.

My friend the Count remained under my roof all night, and left at twelve o'clock on Christmas morning." "So you see," said Ferruci airily to Lucian, "that I could not have done what you think, as that was done--by what you said--between eleven and twelve on that night." "Was the Count with you at ten o'clock on that evening ?" asked Denzil.
"Certainly he was; so you have lost your bet, Mr.Denzil.Sorry to bring you such bad fortune, but truth is truth, you know." "Would you repeat this statement, if I wished ?" "Why not?
Call on me at any time.