“Let your men fire if he resists,” said the relentless old man.
Drougoff gave the necessary orders, and for a tense moment I looked along the barrels of three levelled revolvers.
“Come, monsieur,” said Drougoff.
I burst into a laugh.
“Yes, I will. I have no firearms;” and I pulled my empty hand from my pocket.
Then at last came the proof that I had not blustered in vain.
Harold Marvyn came hurrying in, accompanied by a man I recognized as the officer whom I had seen the previous day in the ante-room of the Emperor.
“I am glad to see your Highness is so far recovered,” said Marvyn; “but what does this mean?”
“That two dangerous Nihilists are on their way to prison, monsieur,” came the reply, sharp and stern.
Marvyn’s indignation at the tone showed in his face.