“Yes! I knew that the female thief had escaped, but I should have thought——”
“That our police, usually so active, when there is a little rough-and-tumble work to do, would not fail in overtaking and capturing her. That would have been done, no doubt, but for a very important reason, which is this: the officer in command, once having recognised the woman, knew that he could lay hands on her at any moment. She lives in Vienna, and haunts every cabaret and third-rate hotel, her favourite resort being the ‘Kaiser Franz.’ He therefore intends to lull her into false security, with a view—by keeping a constant watch on her movements—of discovering and bringing to justice a gang of receivers of stolen goods, who, so far, have completely baffled our vigilance, and whose tool we believe her to be.”
“You think, then, that the woman brought those candlesticks to Vienna with her?”
“We know she did, for she was seen in Vienna this very morning, and is being closely watched.”
“Surely your Excellency will give immediate orders to have her rooms searched this very evening?” said Iván imploringly.
“I have no objection to doing that,” said Baron de Hermansthal urbanely, “as I am anxious to prove to his Eminence how willing I am to serve him.”
“Your Excellency will allow me to accompany the police?” asked Volenski eagerly.
“To identify the candlesticks,” he added, seeing that Baron de Hermansthal shook his head in emphatic refusal; “there may be others there.”
“On one condition then, that you do not interfere with our men in the discharge of their duty, merely pointing out the articles you claim as your property, and that you allow the officer on duty to bring them here, to my office, without opposition.”
“To your office?” said Iván.