Lights shewed then, and I heard people moving about. But I did not want the house to be lighted up, for fear of its attracting too much notice outside; and I therefore called to my men to make haste with their dressing.
When they came I led the way upstairs to find the servants huddled together looking very scared; the two men in front of them armed. At the sight of so many of us in uniform they uttered cries of surprise and alarm.
“Put those guns down,” I said, in a tone of command. “We are too strong for you to resist; and if you make any attempt, it will only lead to trouble. Do as I say, and no harm will come to you.”
The two men hesitated. “What do you want?” asked one of them.
“Cover them,” I said, stepping to one side, and up went my men’s guns to their shoulders.
One of the women screamed and they all huddled back, while the men laid their weapons on the ground with discreet speed. At a sign from me the muskets were lowered.
“Put out most of those lights,” I said next; and the order was obeyed with a celerity that spoke volumes for the impression we had created. “Where is your mistress, the Princess Gatrina?”
“In her rooms, sir,” said one of the women servants.
“Tell her to dress at once. She is to come with us. Impress upon her that only her safety is being considered. Strange things are doing in the city, and she cannot remain here. She must be ready to go with us in five minutes.”
The girl sped away up the broad stairs and I turned to Karasch to tell him my plan.