“Volna can do nothing,” declared Katinka.
“I regret, madame, that I have no power to permit that.”
“Can you tell us nothing about the reasons for this?” asked Paul.
“Nothing whatever. I know no more than yourself. I wish indeed that the unpleasant duty had been given to some one else to perform.”
“I do not blame you, sir,” said Madame Drakona, very graciously, despite her agitation. “I will get ready.”
“I must ask you not to be longer than five minutes.”
He held the door open for her to leave. Katinka went with her and at a sign from the leader, one of the men followed them up the stairs and remained at the door of the room into which they went. The leader stayed with the rest in the hall.
“What can this mean?” asked Ladislas, aghast.
“A good thing that no one else is on the list,” said Paul.
“You must find that a great consolation,” I could not help saying. Paul turned on me angrily, and Ladislas held up his hand.