“You are shrewd enough to understand, Mr. Anstruther.”
“I will not discuss such a question.”
“If this matter against you is not pressed, will you leave Warsaw?”
“How can I? I have agreed to be examined to-morrow about the Bratinsk matter.”
He waved an impatient hand. “I can arrange that, of course.”
“I will go on condition that Madame Drakona is at once set at liberty and the evidence you are holding back is placed in my hands, and that Miss Volna Drakona is absolved from all responsibility for the affair at Bratinsk.”
I looked for an outburst of anger at this; but he listened closely and then sat thinking, a heavy frown on his dark face.
“What is behind that?” he asked after the pause.
“That Miss Drakona must be a free agent to become the wife of my friend if she will.”
“Free to go to Siberia?” he sneered; “or perhaps you mean to England?”