"Why, sir, did you take Princess Zara d'Echeveria to the house of Prince Michael?" continued the czar.
"Because I believed him to be an honorable man who would stand ready to protect her good name, and who would conceal from all the world, even from your majesty, the fact that she was there. Because he had told me that he loved her, and I was innocent enough to believe that his love was unselfish; and further, because I regarded him as my friend. There are three reasons, your majesty, any one of which seems to me to be sufficient."
"But why was it necessary to take her anywhere?"
"That, your majesty, is a question which I must answer to you alone."
"Do you mean that you will not tell the prince?"
"I mean that it was my intention to tell the prince as soon as I arrived at the palace, but that now I deem it unnecessary. He has taught me a lesson in hospitality that is as new as it is unique."
"Perhaps she will explain the strange affair herself."
"I have no doubt that she will, your majesty."
"I have sent for her. She will remain here in the palace as long as danger threatens her. She should be here by now."
"May I inquire of your majesty whom you sent?"
I looked at my watch, replaced it in my pocket, and then said calmly:
"Captain Durnief will not return with the princess, your majesty."
Then I saw the heavy frown of rising anger. I knew my man, for kings and emperors are less than men of the world when it comes to studying them. Their own opportunities for observing others are so much more limited. The czar angry, was a much easier man to influence than the czar satirical.
"What do you mean?" he demanded. "Why will Durnief fail to carry out my personal orders? Dare the princess refuse to accompany him?"
"She most certainly would not have the bad taste to refuse, and if she did so, the captain would doubtless bring her by force; but Captain Durnief has the misfortune to be, by now, a prisoner."
"Durnief a prisoner! The captain of my personal staff arrested! By your order, sir?"
"I would dare to arrest the prince, or your own son, if I found either of them inimical to your majesty's interests, and I beg you, sir, to understand that I gave the order before I knew that your majesty had sent him on the errand so treacherously suggested by Prince Michael." I was angry at the prince for involving my affairs so meanly. I could not withhold the thrust.