With another effort he wrote me the necessary authority.
“Now, excuse me, I am not well;” he sighed heavily, and his head fell forward on his hands. “Please ring that bell for me,” he murmured.
I touched it and went out, leaving him still in that pose of abject broken weakness.
Chapter XXVII—A LAST MOVE
MY interview had been so successful and the Prince’s submission so complete that it never occurred to me to look for still further treachery from him.
I had carried everything before me so triumphantly; had secured Helga’s freedom, and was on my way to take her the good news; she and I would leave the country; Siegel would be cleared from all trouble; and on every point I had forced from the Prince just those conditions which I chose to impose.
So overcome was my opponent, so prostrated, that only with a great effort had he been able to keep up to the end. And if I was inclined to be conceited over my victory it must be remembered that I had been pitted against a man of wide influence, drastic power, and very high position.
It did occur to me, indeed, as I was driving to the prison, that the Prince had not given me the order for Helga’s release, and that he had worded his phrase peculiarly.