Part 21 (1/2)
”But he is Her Highness's enemy.”
”Yes, Excellency--and yours also.”
”Tell me all that you know,” I urged, adopting a more conciliatory tone.
”It is outrageous that this oppressor of Russia should conspire to kill an innocent member of the Imperial Family.”
”I know nothing of the circ.u.mstances. Excellency,” he said, feigning entire ignorance.
”But he gave you orders to throw that bomb,” I said. ”What were your exact orders?”
”I am not likely to betray my employer,” he laughed. ”If you do not answer these questions, then I shall carry out my threat of exposure,”
Hartwig said in a hard, determined voice.
”Well,” said the informer hesitatingly, ”my orders were not to throw the bomb unless the Grand d.u.c.h.ess Natalia was in the carriage.”
”Then the plot was to kill her--but unfortunately her father fell the victim of the dastardly outrage!” I cried.
”Yes,” the man replied. ”It was to kill her--and you, Excellency.”
”But why?”
He shrugged his shoulders, and exhibited his palms in a gesture of complete ignorance.
”And your present intention is to effect in Brighton what you failed to do in Petersburg--eh?”
”I have no orders, and it certainly is not my intention,” responded the man, whom I remembered at that moment had deliberately killed the girl Garine in order to preserve his secret.
I turned from him in loathing and disgust.
”But you tell me that General Markoff intends that we both shall come to an untimely end,” I said a few moments later.
”He does, Excellency, and the ingenuity of the plot against you both is certainly one which betrays his devilish cunning,” was the fellow's reply. ”I have, I a.s.sure you, no love for a man who holds my life in the hollow of his hand, and whose word I am compelled to obey on pain of exposure and death.”
”You mean Markoff,” I exclaimed. ”Tell me something of this plot against me--so that I may be on my guard,” I urged.
”I know nothing concerning it. For that very reason I went to Brighton yesterday, to try and discover something,” he said.
”And what did you discover?”
”A very remarkable fact. At present it is only suspicion. I have yet to substantiate it.”
”Cannot you tell me your suspicion?”
”Not until I have had an opportunity of proving it,” was his quiet reply. ”But I a.s.sure you that the observation I kept upon Her Imperial Highness and yourself was with no evil intent.”
I smiled incredulously. It was hard indeed to believe a man of his subtle and unscrupulous character. All that Tack had told me crowded through my brain. As the catspaw of Markoff, it was not likely that he would tell me the truth.
Hartwig was leaning easily against the wooden mantelshelf, watching us keenly. Of a sudden an idea occurred to me, and addressing the informer, I said:
”I believe you are acquainted with my friend Madame de Rosen and her daughter. Tell me what you know concerning them.”