Part 17 (2/2)
”To be so, your Majesty, wasfor this interview
I humbly protest, however, that I make no accusation in the ordinary sense of the word Her Majesty's conception of her country's welfare is, I venture to think, an erroneous one, although I iine her desire is only to help forward a policy which she believes is near to your heart”
”Enough, Lord Cloverton, let us get to the root of the matter quickly
Our absence will be re spoke irritably, and the Ambassador felt the delicacy and difficulty of the position He was not quite sure of his ground He was rather in the position of one who draws a bow at a venture, and yet he had a shrewd suspicion in which direction the er; and he felt justified in taking any risk for the purpose of preventing trouble
”To-night the Queen has given a special audience to a countryman of mine, a Captain Desmond Ellerey in your Majesty's service,” said the A quietly and concisely ”This Captain Ellerey is a e and resource, in a way an adventurer, prepared for any hazardous enterprise if he is once convinced that it is in the service of his adopted country I believe the Queen intends to send hinorant of the fact, will ainst your peaceful policy”
”An accusation of treason!” exclaio too far, my lord”
”I make no such accusation; I only fear an act which may lead to treason in others, and seek to prevent it”
”Why not question Captain Ellerey?”
”I have done so, but to no purpose”
”I will question hi ”Why not question her Majesty?”
Lord Cloverton suggested ”Captain Ellerey is with her at this o with”Since you have such suspicions it is no tis Her Majesty shall hear your accusation and shall answer it”
The A's decision pleased hi's suspicion, he had raised his anger, which would serve the same purpose, and Lord Cloverton still held the trump card in his hand
The lanced hastily around the room She slipped the box she had shown him underneath some papers in her drawer, and then with a s paper toward her, she rapidly began to write a note to Frina Mavrodin
She rose quickly with a little gesture of surprise when the King and the English Aer still in his face, but Lord Cloverton came to a halt near the door
”Your Majesty is welcome,” said the Queen, ”but you look troubled I fear I spend too little ti to share your Majesty's difficulties”
”To defeat intrigues is ues, or whispers of them, which call for special treatment; they are not to be met by counterplot, but by open speech and outspoken denial”
”Am I accused?” the Queen asked
”Lord Cloverton has seen fit to warntoward the A hesitated for a h he wished Lord Cloverton would speak ”To-night you have received Captain Ellerey in private audience,” he said after a moment's pause
”I have”
”May I know for what purpose?”