Chapter VIII—DEEPER IN
BORESKI’S letter ran thus:—
“I have just heard very disturbing news, and hasten to send it you, while I go to make inquiries. Drexel and I had a somewhat serious quarrel after leaving your house last night; very hot words passed between us on the subject of M. Denver’s visit, and we parted after some vague threats on his side, to which I paid no very great heed. But this morning I learn from Vattel—whose information is, as you know, generally reliable—that Drexel saw Vastic and some of those with him, and has told them who M. Denver really is. You will understand what is likely to happen at any moment, therefore, if your visitor is not protected. I trust in God that all is well up to now. All sorts of consequences are possible, and you should act at once. It would be absolutely fatal to all concerned if anything were to happen at your house; and my advice to you is either to let M. Denver return home the instant you receive this or to leave the villa with him and go secretly to Brabinsk. Precautions can be much more easily taken there, and, more over, no one will then know where to look for you. But for God’s sake act promptly.
“The enclosed is from the just issued Journal, and shows how the Court people are covering M. Denver’s absence.
“I shall seek you as soon as I have definite news; but unfortunately there is little room to doubt the gravity of things.”
“L. B.”
“This means?” I asked when I had read it.
“The Nihilists, monsieur.” Helga’s tone was firm and deliberate. “Vastic is the name of one of the leaders of the extremists.”