"A sudden development of scruples, under the circumstances," he sneered.
"A proper development of caution I prefer to call it, seeing that I am acting as the only real representative of the Countess Minna, and am dealing with those who have tricked her so abominably."
I spoke with all the warmth I felt.
"You wish to pose as my enemy?"
"I am quite indifferent. I know already the whereabouts of the countess from a source independent of you, and I have taken means to insure her safety."
This was not strictly accurate, but it was indirectly true, for I knew that so long as the Duke Marx remained in my hands Minna was safe enough.
He paused to think.
"Do you mean you wish to break away from the arrangement we made this morning?"
"Not so far as the renunciation of the throne is concerned; but the arrangement as to my cousin's freedom is to be considered as forced from you, not made in complicity with you. I do not wish you to tell me anything because you think I am acting with you. I am not."
"So long as you do what you've agreed, I ask no more," he answered, with a shrug of the shoulders, as though he considered the matter not worth discussing.