“Yes, many,” he rapped out drily.
“Well, here goes for one, then,” and I lit mine deliberately. “Now I suppose we are going to have a little chat together. I think you’ll be interested in an account of my adventures since—yes, since the night before last at—seven o’clock. You know them up to then.”
“It is unusual for me to grant an interview to a man charged with murder.”
“Then I’d better go straight to his Majesty.”
“You will not see his Majesty.”
“I think I can persuade you that I shall, Prince. As you said just now, I am very confident.”
“If you desire to lay any mitigating facts before me, I will listen to you in my apartments. I am wishful to deal with you leniently.”
“Mitigating facts, that’s a pretty phrase. I like it. I am also ready to go anywhere you please—gaol if you like; and I can understand that you would prefer me to be a little farther removed from the Czar than we are at the present moment.”
“I shall send you there under guard, monsieur.”
“No, decidedly no,” I said firmly. “If you send me anywhere under guard, it will be to a prison, and then—well, things will happen, and you’ll be sorry. I am enjoying this interview, and am quite willing to continue it where and when you please; but you are vastly mistaken if you think that I am only bluffing you now. I am really dangerous, Prince. You know the jargon of poker—well, it’s up to you to see me—if you think it safe.”