“Precisely. Counting upon your obligation to the Emperor, I have indeed fixed the interview for to-morrow.”
“The deuce you have. Isn’t that rather sharp work?”
“The matter does not admit of delay; but it is of course open to you to decline.”
“In which case?”
“I have not yet considered any alternative.”
His coolness staggered me. But he was keen enough to see that I rather enjoyed the prospect of the adventure.
“Now as to the risks?” I asked after a pause.
“I cannot even pretend to gauge them, M. Denver. I don’t think they should be considerable; but there is naturally the chance that the deception would be discovered. I don’t think it is probable. Those who are constantly with His Majesty would know you in a moment of course; but these people only see my master on public occasions, and, as you have had evidence, are quite ready to be deceived.”
“But the risk is there.”
“Unquestionably,” he assented. “The incident with the lady in the train which you described is, however, very promising. Still, as you say, the risk is there, and it is enough to make any ordinary man unwilling to run it.”