“Ah,” returned the New York banker, “you are very good indeed, Count, and I am going to hold you to your word. Lieutenant O’Hara and I have come for something this evening—something we want very much, and something I feel sure you can give us.”
The Chancellor bowed and stretched forth his hands with palms upturned and open, in signal of his willingness to give.
“What we desire,” continued Nicholas Van Tuyl, smiling his recognition, “is information. There are many sensational reports abroad, as you probably know; but we men of finance are in the habit of discounting unverified rumours. We are not credulous. We want facts with an authority to back them up. We want confirmation or denial.”
Von Ritter’s geniality was still fervent.
“You wish to know, for instance—” he invited.
“We wish to know, Count, whether there is any basis for the story that His Royal Highness, Prince Maximilian, is being restrained of his liberty.”
The Chancellor smiled a little patronisingly.
“That is the least they say,” Van Tuyl returned.
For a moment Count von Ritter hesitated.