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"This matter," said Jusseret dubiously, "might cost you your life. Possibly I should not tell you. As a politician I can have nothing to do with it, but as a man, I wish I were myself free to act." "Who has offended the Countess?" demanded Lapas hotly. "Offended, my young friend! This is not an offense. It is the gravest indignity that can be shown a woman.
Von Ritz distrusts France. Let the suggestion come from Portugal, a friend who can speak persuasively and convincingly. Let him see the inevitable result unless he consents. Let all which we have done be denounced. Lead him to believe that he holds as steward" Jusseret raised his hands as he concluded "for Karyl's heir, if there should be one. These things are mere details."
France suggests that the Governor-General should be a Galavian, and points to the one man conspicuously capable who happens to be," he added with an amused laugh, "my particular enemy." "You mean Von Ritz?" The question came from Italy's delegate. Jusseret bowed his head. "Von Ritz," he affirmed. Don Alphonso Rodriguez laughed with a note of incredulity.
"These men have gradually and quietly reorganized the army, the bureaucracy, the very palace Guard. We have undermined the government's power, until when the word is passed to strike the blow, a honey-combed system will crumble under its own weight. When Karyl calls on his troops, not one man will respond. Well " Jusseret smiled dryly "perhaps I overstate the case. Possibly one man will.
The atmosphere was thick with the smoke from cigars and cigarettes, and through the veneering amenities of much courtesy the gentlemen of Europe's Cabinets Noirs wrangled with insistence. Finally Monsieur Jusseret took the floor, and the others dropped respectfully into an attitude of listening. "It is hardly necessary," he began, "to discuss what has been done in Galavia.
She had searched his eyes with her own just long enough to make him feel that in the give-and-take of glances hers did not drop or evade, and he, trained in the niceties of diplomatic warfare, had caught the message. So the Countess had been fired with ardent dreams and later, when the time seemed ripe, it was to her that Jusseret went, and with her that he made his secret alliance.
The Countess had laughed with the melodious zylophone note that caressed the ear, and had flashed on Jusseret her smile which was a magic thing of ivory and flesh and sudden sunshine. She had held up the slender fingers of the hand he had flattered, possibly a trace pleased with the effect of the Duke's latest gift, a huge emerald set about with small but remarkably pure brilliants.
"She can take several ladies-in-waiting and you can accompany her to the yacht and explain to Benton. Direct him to cruise within wireless call and to avoid cities where the Queen might be in danger of recognition. She must remain until we gain some hint as to when and where the crater is apt to break into eruption." Jusseret was busy. His agencies were at work over the peninsula.
Jusseret looked his former ally over with scarcely concealed contempt. Martin sustained the stare and returned it with one coolly audacious. "I daresay," he began, with something of insolence in his drawl, "it's hardly necessary to explain why I'm here.
The niceties of his dress were Parisian, punctilious, perfect. In his right lapel was the unostentatious button of the Legion d'Honneur. The Englishman spoke. "Much of your story, Monsieur Jusseret, is familiar to me. It will, however, prove interesting in toto, I daresay, to our friend Abdul Said Bey, whom Allah preserve."
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