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He was unusually pale, and there were deep lines engraven about his mouth. One hand was resting upon the table, and I fancied that his fingers were shaking. "The Prince of Malors," he said at last, and his voice lacked altogether its usual ring of cool assurance, "is of Royal blood. He is not even in touch with the political powers of France to-day.
She nodded, but asked me no questions. "I think," she said abruptly, "that they are all coming down here in a few days. I heard from my father this morning." I sighed. "I have been very unfortunate, Lady Angela," I said. "Your father is displeased with me. I think that but for Colonel Ray I should have been dismissed yesterday." "Is it about the Prince of Malors?" she asked in a low tone.
But I am afraid that you are a blunderer." I faced him with white face. "I seem to have found my way into a strange place," I answered. "I have neither wit nor cunning enough to know true men from false. I would trust you, but you are a murderer. I would have trusted the Prince of Malors, but he has proved himself a common adventurer. So I have made up my mind that all shall be alike.
Lord Chelsford never removed his eyes from my face, the Duke had still the appearance of a tolerant but slightly bored listener. "Who?" Lord Chelsford asked. "The Prince of Malors," I answered. There was a moment's silence. Lord Cheisford turned again to his notes. Then he looked up at me. "Your reasons?" he asked. I told them the story carefully and circumstantially.
It occurs to me that you will probably tell him of your fancied disturbance of those papers in the safe, and of your little adventure with the Prince of Malors." I looked at him in surprise. "Have they not all been told of this?" I asked. "No." There was a moment's dead silence. I was a little staggered. The Duke remained imperturbable. "They have not been told," he repeated.
When I had finished Colonel Ray left his seat and whispered something in Lord Chelsford's ear. The Duke interposed. "I wish," he said, "to add a brief remark to the story which you have just heard. I have known Malors since he was a boy, my father knew his father, and, as you may know, our families have been frequently connected in marriage.
I am compelled to take the evidence of my eyes and ears as final." Blenavon sucked at his cigarette fiercely for a minute, threw it away, and commenced to roll another. "It's all rot!" he exclaimed. "Malors wouldn't do a mean action, and, besides, what on earth has he to gain? He is a fanatical Royalist. He is not even on speaking terms with the Government of France to-day."
If you should have further cause to suspect the Prince of Malors or anybody else, communicate with me or with Ray. The Duke is, of course, a man of ability and an honourable man, but he is prejudiced in favour of his friends. Some of us others have had to learn our lessons of life, and men, in a sharper school. You understand me, Mr. Ducaine, I am sure." "I perfectly understand, sir," I answered.
He took me by the arm. "I have been waiting for you, Ducaine," he said. "I was afraid that I might miss you, or I should have come down." "I am on my way to the Duke," I said, "and my business is urgent." "So is mine," he said grimly. "I want to know exactly what has passed between you and the Prince of Malors." "I am not at all sure, Colonel Ray," I answered, "that I am at liberty to tell you.
It is very possible that you and I may be of service to one another, and I may add that those who have been of service to the Prince of Malors have seldom had cause to regret it." "This conversation," I interposed, "seems to me to be beside the point. I have no desire to be of service to you. My inclinations are rather the other way."
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