“Not even the owner of this uniform.”
He appeared to find this difficult to believe; and it began to look as if I had done Nikolitch a bad turn.
“It is very extraordinary.”
“I have told you the truth, major. I give you my word of honour as an American citizen.”
“Now then as to your object. What was that?”
“I wished to prevent the Princess Gatrina being arrested by the army, and to place her in safety until the passions of this night’s doings in the city had cooled sufficiently for the officers to have time to consider their course in regard to her.”
“I am loath to take that answer, Mr. Bergwyn—it only makes your case worse.”
“I can’t help that, major. It is the truth.”
“You interfered deliberately to oppose the plans of the army?”
“I interfered to prevent at least one deed of blood being done in the frenzy of to-night’s passion.”