"But an hour
ago, the secretary of Lord Vernon was in conference with the father of
those young ladies. He approached him in the smoking-room; he introduced
himself; he sat down; he began a conversation. I should have overheard
everything, but that, unfortunately, he was more clever than I thought.
He suspected me. They went together to Monsieur Rushford's apartment--I
followed, I listened at the keyhole; but they went on into an inner
room, and the outer door was locked, so I could not--"
The Prince, who had listened to all this with blazing eyes, suddenly
raised his arm with a furious gesture.
"Glueck!" he shouted.
That faithful servitor appeared on the instant, his face alight with
anticipation.
"But if there should be a plot!" protested Tellier, hesitating, even
yet, on the threshold.
"If there is a plot," said the Prince, sternly, "someone shall suffer
for it, depend upon that! But against gentlemen, the proof must be
conclusive. Glueck, show him out," and he shut the door upon the unhappy
spy.
"It would have been well," observed Glueck, calmly, coming back after a
moment, "to have thrown him out in the first place."
"I agree with you," said his master. "You may do so whenever you find
him here again, my friend," and for an instant Glueck almost smiled.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97