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"It is not thought that the Captain has already left, but all efforts to find him have failed," said the man, and then at a sign from Lord Cloverton he withdrew. "I believe we are allies at heart, Countess; it is a pity we have no power to act." "Perhaps you exaggerate the danger." "I fear not," he answered, as he stepped from the carriage. "I foresee evil days for Sturatzberg.
"You will help me by doing so," said Cloverton. "In Sturatzberg, my lord," said De Froilette. "Do you imagine he will return to the very centre of his danger? I am inclined to think he has crossed the hills and taken the quickest way out of Wallaria." "You do not know the man, and you forget he is an Englishman," said De Froilette. "They are desperate fellows, these English adventurers.
He looked helplessly at the Queen like a man who has received a blow which has dazed him for the time being. The Ambassador's knowledge startled the Queen, too, but she did not shrink before his steady scrutiny. She was the first to break the silence. "I gave no such token," she said. Lord Cloverton started slightly at being given the lie so directly. What subterfuge was a woman not capable of?
"You can understand that under the circumstances I have run some risk in having you brought to the Embassy," Lord Cloverton went on. "It is quite impossible for you to remain here, and to go into the streets of the city would be to go to your death." "Still, I must go, Lord Cloverton. You do not understand." "Perhaps not; but I have myself to think of as well as you.
But for all that, I shall find my work in Sturatzberg easier when I know you two rebels are safely over the frontier." Dr. Goldberg came in, and with him Captain Ward. "I owe you much," said Ellerey, grasping the latter's hand. "Thank you." "It is but repaying the debt I incurred on the night of the duel, Captain Ellerey." "The carriage is waiting," said Lord Cloverton.
"You are welcome," Ellerey said. "I began to think some circumstance had intervened." "We have only just escaped such a calamity," was the answer. "By some means Lord Cloverton had received information of our plans. In the presence of the King, immediately after your departure, he accused her Majesty of trafficking with the brigands in the hills, and challenged her to show the bracelet.
Her profound knowledge of current politics would have startled Lord Cloverton, and her capacity for intrigue and scheming would have astonished even Monsieur De Froilette into admiration. There were few clubs and societies in Sturatzberg, where discontent was fostered and secret plans discussed, which were not known to Frina Mavrodin.
Ellerey did so, and for the space of thirty seconds the two men gazed into each other's eyes. "No, I do not believe it." "To what do you refer?" Ellerey asked. "To that card scandal of yours. I believe you are an innocent man. Why don't you prove it?" Ellerey took up the letter which he had thrown on the table when Lord Cloverton entered.
"I spoke generally, but perhaps I was thinking of women," was the answer. "Of one man, however, beware. There is a little, ferret-eyed devil at Court who can spy out secrets almost before they are conceived the English Ambassador, Lord Cloverton. He is a great man, and I hate him."
"Have I quite pardoned you for mistaking me for another woman that night in the Altstrasse?" she said gayly. "I hope so; indeed, I thought so." "I am sorry. I ought to have reserved some of my displeasure." "Why?" "So that I might demand a favor." "You have but to demand, Countess." "Then stay with me and keep me near Lord Cloverton," she said. "What! Has he incurred your displeasure, too?"
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