The voice of the one they called Excellency was speaking.
"_Herr Gott_, Goritz! Austria's mad archdukes! The telegraph also closed! It is unbelievable. I must send a message in code to Berlin."
"It would be delayed," said Goritz dryly.
"Excellency, this is a desperate game. I thought perhaps we should arrive in time to get a message through. But Herr Windt has wasted no time. We must suit our actions to the emergency----"
"Not you, Excellency. I shall go. A railroad book, Graf Mendel, if you please. Today is the twenty-sixth. The Archduke goes by way of Budapest. We can save several hours, I think, by way of Gratz and Agram--if there is a train tonight."
"Your Excellency may well see her usefulness merely in telling what has happened in her efforts to reach the ear of the Duchess of Hohenberg. No word from you to Archduke Franz could be more convincing----"
"And you cannot--of that I am convinced."
"A train at eight--Excellency--by way of Oedenburg and Brück--reaching Marburg in the morning----"
"And from there," added Goritz, "by automobile along the new military road through Brod. We might reach Sarajevo tomorrow night--surely by Sunday morning."
"You will make proper preparations to leave at once--secretly--you understand. I will secure the necessary papers."
Without waiting to hear the conclusion of the interview Marishka moved away from the window to the further end of the room, and when Goritz came some moments later she stood looking out upon the traffic of the street. Fortunately dissimulation was not difficult, as the growing darkness of the room hid her face.
"We are too late," said Captain Goritz. "The Archduke's train has gone."
"Are you prepared to go on, Countess Strahni?"
She realized that she was repeating his words like a parrot, but she seemed to be speaking, moving as in a dream. Captain Goritz came closer and examined her face in the dim light of the window.
"I am sorry. I wish I could spare you further trouble."
"Countess Strahni, we leave at eight by the night train. I shall make arrangements for your comfort, a sleeping compartment. In the meanwhile you may go upstairs to a guest room of the Embassy and rest. If you will write a note asking for a valise with necessary articles of apparel, I will see that it is brought to you. A dark suit and heavy veil."