The crime was of interest in itself, but that interest was as nothing to me compared to the inconceivable sequel, 

which afforded me the greatest shock and surprise of any event in my adventurous life.

请教老师，句中出现的as nothing可以去掉as吗？这里加了as如何理解? as nothing中，as词性和含义分别是什么？

麻烦老师讲解一下。

谢谢！