Part 57 (2/2)
Rolfe briefly explained the nature of his mission to the ex-President, and then, after a few minutes' chat, followed his host into the smaller room for a cigarette and chat. Eventually Rolfe, lying back in an easy-chair, said: ”Do you know, Sir Charles, a very curious thing has happened recently in London?”
”Oh, I see by the papers that lots of curious things have happened,” was the diplomat's reply, as he smiled upon his guest.
”Oh, yes; I know. But this is a serious matter. Doctor Petrovitch and his daughter Maud have disappeared.”
Sir Charles raised his eyebrows, and was in a moment serious.
”Disappeared! There's been nothing about it in the papers.”
”No; it is being kept dark. The police haven't been stirred about it.
It was only a sudden removal from Cromwell Road, but both father, daughter, and household furniture disappeared.”
”How? In what manner did the furniture disappear?”
Rolfe explained, while Sir Charles sat listening open-mouthed.
”Extraordinary!” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, when the younger man concluded. ”What can be the reason of it. Petrovitch is an old and dear friend of mine.
Why, I knew him years ago when I was attache here. He often wrote to me. The last letter I had was from London about four months ago.”
”And he's my friend also.”
”Yes; I know,” was the other's reply. ”It was whispered, Rolfe, that you were in love with the pretty Maud--eh?”
”I don't deny it?”
”Why should you, if you love her.”
”But she's disappeared--without a word.”
”And you are in search of her? Most natural. Well, I'll make inquiries and ascertain if she's been in Belgrade. I don't believe she has, or we should certainly have seen something of her. My wife is very fond of her, you know.”
”I fear there's been foul play?” Rolfe remarked.
The Minister shrugged his shoulders.
”It's curious, to say the least, isn't it?” he observed. There, in confidence, Charlie told the Minister of Marion's friends.h.i.+p with Maud, of the strange and mysterious confession on the night of the disappearance, and her steadfast refusal to betray the girl's secret.
Sir Charles paused and reflected.
”Political intrigue is at the bottom of this--depend upon it, Rolfe,” he said at last. ”Petrovitch has enemies here, unscrupulous enemies, who would not hesitate to attempt his life. They fear that if he returns to power as the King had invited him, they will find themselves prisoners in the fortress--and that means death, as you know. When the Doctor acts, he acts boldly for the benefit of his country. He would make a clean sweep of his enemies once and for all.”
”Then you think they've antic.i.p.ated this, and killed him in secret?”
cried Rolfe.
”It is, I fear, quite possible,” was the diplomat's reply.
”What causes you to believe this?”
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