When Platoff reported the left-handed man's words to the Emperor, the
latter instantly exclaimed with joy: "I knew that my Russian people
had not betrayed me!" and he ordered a melkoscope to be brought on a
cushion.
The melkoscope was brought that very minute, and the Emperor took the
flea, and placed it under the glass, first with its back, then with its
side, then with its belly upward,--in short, he turned it on all sides,
but nothing was to be seen. But even then the Emperor did not lose
faith, and said merely: "Bring hither instantly that gunsmith who is
downstairs."
Platoff announced: "His clothing must be changed. I took him just as he
was, and now he is in very evil plight."