“Probably the latter was the case,” declared Lord Hastings. “The count has been a powerful man and must have made friends. It is probable that the officer who had charge of him became temporarily blind, purposely.”
“If I were sure——” said the Czar, and he banged his fist on the table angrily.
“The first thing,” said Lord Hastings, “if I may make so bold, your Majesty, is to recapture Count Blowinski before he can do any more damage.”
“No small job,” said the Czar.
“Perhaps not,” agreed Lord Hastings. “Still it can be done.”
“What would you suggest. My Lord?”
“My plan is a very simple one,” said Lord Hastings, “and yet it means lots of work.”
“Let’s have it,” said the Czar eagerly.
“Scour the city,” said Lord Hastings. “Put every available man to work and search the town, every nook and corner of it. Eventually you are bound to catch him. He must be in the city still and it will be only a question of time until some of your men come upon him.”
“It’s a big job,” said the Czar meditatively.