“On matters closely connected with my object here in Lisbon.” This was, of course, my real object—Miralda—but it was not necessary to split hairs or trouble with too much explanation.
“Whom have you seen here?”
“The Contesse Inglesia and the woman who gave me the revolver.”
“No one else?”
“I should not identify any one else.” This was very close to a direct lie; and as I had no intention of either telling what I knew or of committing myself to a direct denial, until I was certain about the nature of the whole proceedings, I added: “I have said that I am an Englishman. I have given you my name and have told you I am a friend of M. Volheno, amongst others. You do not believe what I say, and I claim my right as a British subject to communicate with my country’s representatives here in the capital. Let me send to them or yourselves send to M. Volheno. I shall not answer any more questions.”
“Tell me at once where to find the rest of your companions,” he said very sternly.
“I know no more than yourself. I have no other answer to give.” I spoke very firmly and half expected that my experience of the former test would be repeated and that the men would be satisfied.
But nothing of the kind followed. After a pause the light was suddenly put out, a whispered command was given, and I was hurried out of the room and then out of the house, dragged with no little violence into a carriage and driven away.
This might still be part of a drastic test, of course; so I held my tongue and let them take me where they would. As I left the house I glanced about me in the hope of catching sight of Bryant; and was considerably troubled when I could not see him.
But I was soon to learn that it was no mere test. The carriage pulled up before a gloomy building and I was half led, half dragged inside, where I was confronted by a number of men in police uniform. I was searched and everything taken from me; my name was entered; and without more ado I was led away to be thrust into an unmistakable prison cell with other equally unmistakable prisoners.