“My Lord and Mr. Templeton,” said the Czar, “I see that you have recognized our friend in the corner there.”
Lord Hastings and Jack nodded and the Czar continued:
“We were fortunate enough to come upon him almost at once; and I’ll wager, My Lord, that you have no idea where we found him.”
The Czar paused, apparently awaiting an answer. Lord Hastings shook his head.
“No, your Majesty, I haven’t the slightest idea,” he returned.
“Well,” said the Czar, “what will you say when I tell you that the good count was caught in the act of trying to break into the palace?”
“Into the palace!” repeated Lord Hastings in the greatest surprise.
“Exactly,” returned the Czar with a smile. “It seems that he had still further designs on my life. Am I not right, my dear Count?”
He turned to Count Blowinski with a pleasant smile on his features.
The count glowered at him angrily.