I added with an assumed air of mysterious consequence, “The Inspector of Police also left the train at Tomsk. It is asserted that he is going to make an important arrest.”
Colonel Menken laughed. Then turning to the beautiful woman who sat facing him across the small table, he said smilingly,
“It is lucky the inspector did not arrest you, my dear.”
“Why, what do you mean?” she demanded.
“Simply that this officer, according to his own account, was charged to watch over and protect your devoted servant, and in the exercise of his functions he was good enough to hint to me that you were a suspicious character, of whom I should do well to be on my guard.”
“Infamous! The wretch! Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I promised the fellow not to. He was afraid of getting into trouble, and as he had only blundered out of zeal, I let him off.”
“And he has left the train. Why, I wonder?”
“I ordered him to.”
The Princess Y—— looked less and less pleased. A minute later, I caught her stealthily glancing in my direction, and realized that her keen wits were already at work, connecting my appearance on the scene with the disappearance of the inspector.