Part 43 (1/2)
The German looked incredulous.
”But they were hand in glove. The Princess was his best agent.”
”True. Unfortunately there is always one source of danger where a woman is concerned--she cannot control her affections. It appears that M. Petrovitch ordered her to remove a certain Englishman, a spy of some kind, who was giving trouble, and Madame Y---- was attached to the fellow. She carried out her orders, but M. Petrovitch fears that she has taken revenge on him.”
Finkelstein gave a superior smile.
”I can dispose of that suspicion,” he said confidently. ”The Princess did _not_ carry out her orders. The man you speak of--who is the most dangerous and unprincipled scoundrel in the world--has escaped, and we have lost all trace of him.”
It was my turn to show surprise and alarm.
”What you tell me is appalling! I ought to see the Princess as soon as possible. If what she says is true, it must be the Englishman who has brought about Petrovitch's arrest.”
”He is no Englishman,” the Superintendent returned. ”He is an American, a Pole, a Frenchman, whatever you please. That man has been at the bottom of all the troubles in Europe for the last twenty years. I have employed him myself, sometimes, so I ought to know something about him.”
I listened with an interest that was not feigned to this character of myself. It was, all the same, a lie that Finkelstein had ever employed me; on the contrary, I had been called in by his imperial master to check his work.
”Then what is to be done?” I asked, as the German finished speaking.
”M. Petrovitch sent me here to warn you against the Princess, and to demand your influence to secure his release.”
”That will be a difficult matter. I shall have to consult the Minister. In the meantime, where can I find you?”
I mentioned the name of a hotel.
”And the Princess Y----? Where can I see her?”
”I expect that she has left for Kiel,” said the Superintendent. ”She has volunteered to carry out the plan originally proposed by Petrovitch.”
”Then in that case you will not require my services?” I said, with an air of being disappointed. ”M. Petrovitch thought you might find me useful in his place.”
”I must consult others before I can say anything as to that,” was the cautious reply.
He added rather grudgingly,
”I did not know M. Petrovitch myself, you see. It was thought better that he should not come to Berlin.”
This statement relieved me of a great anxiety. I now saw my way to take a bolder line.
”So I understood, sir. But I did not venture to approach his majesty except through you.”
Finkelstein started again, and gave me a new look of curiosity.
”Who authorized you to mention the Emperor?”
I tried to play the part of a man who has made an unintentional slip.
”I spoke too quickly. Petrovitch informed me--that is to say, I supposed--” I broke down in feigned confusion.