It was impossible for me to doubt that it was the Kaiser whom this villain had insulted by offering to have me assassinated. I thanked Wilhelm II. silently for his chivalrous behavior. M. Petrovitch could have known little of the proud Hohenzollern whom he tempted.
At the same time, it was a source of serious concern for me to know that, just as I had learned that my real opponent was my friend the Kaiser, so he in turn had acquired the knowledge that he had me against him.
It had become a struggle, no longer in the dark, between the most resourceful of Continental sovereigns and myself, and that being so, I realized that I could not afford to rest long on my oars.
From the deep breathing of the Princess, I surmised that she was choking down the rage she must have felt at the other’s cynical depravity. For Sophia, though capable of committing a murder out of jealousy perhaps, was yet incapable of killing for reward.
“Well,” I heard Petrovitch say in the tone of one who is taking his leave, “I must send some one ’round to remove our friend.”
“Do not trouble, if you please. I will see to the funeral,” came in icy tones from the Princess.
“What, still sentimental! Be careful, my good Sophia Y——, you will lose your value to us if you give way to such weaknesses.”
I heard his steps move across the carpeted floor, and then with startling suddenness, the words came out:
“Curse me if I can believe he is dead!”