“I have never been charged, and, as I say, was with Prince Kalkov yesterday when my wife was released.”
“It is a very extraordinary complication. What is behind it?”
“There is a good deal behind, of course; but the Prince himself can best explain it, when he is well enough. At present I am only concerned to know whether you wish to put us under lock and key. We are quite ready.”
He was manifestly perplexed what to do.
“I cannot release you, monsieur; you will see that?”
“It’s only for an hour or two at the worst,” and I went back to the tea-table.
“I will send and inquire how the Prince is.”
“It’s a question whether he recovers in time to stop the interview with the Czar,” said Helga to me.
“No, he can’t stop it now.”
After a few minutes the messenger returned, and M. Drougoff crossed to us.