"I have a complete answer, which happily I can support with ample proof. Until less than two months ago, I had never exchanged a word with a Nihilist..."
"He is a liar," burst out the Grand Duke, vehemently.
A hot answer rose to my lips, but I checked it.
"Then, Sire, a band of them set upon me in the street and would have assassinated me, had I not beaten them off with my sword. One of them I took prisoner to my rooms, and from him I learnt that I was supposed to have...."
"Supposed!" exclaimed the Grand Duke.
"Supposed to have incurred their wrath. They had sentenced me to death, it appeared, and that was the first attempt at my execution. I then took a course which I am well aware will seem peculiar. I went to a meeting at which the death of Christian Tueski was resolved, and I was selected to kill him."
"You confess this?" cried the Emperor, harshly. "You, my officer?"
"Sire, I beg your patience. I did this because I did not think I should be in Russia many hours; and because I thought I could gain the time I needed by pretending to be at the head of the conspiracy. Not for a moment did I intend to lay a finger on him. I am no assassin."
"But he was assassinated by you Nihilists," cried the Emperor, with bitter indignation. "The whole land has rung with the news."
"The man is a madman, or takes us for fools," said the Grand Duke.