Quietly and without another word Lord Hastings unbuttoned his coat and from his inside pocket took a small packet, which he placed in the outstretched hand of the Czar. Then he sat back and eyed the Czar keenly.
The Czar broke the tape that bound the package with nervous fingers, shook out the papers as nervously and cast his eyes upon the words they contained. For long minutes he pored over the several documents, his brow becoming blacker and blacker; and at last he raised his head and said:
“You are right, my lord. Nothing further than these papers are needed to convince me of Count Blowinski’s treachery.”
Lord Hastings bowed quietly, and the Czar, again glancing at the papers, became lost in his thoughts.
“So,” he muttered to himself, “you are a traitor, eh? You, whom I have treated like a brother and whom I have showered with honors. You would betray me to the Germans. Well, you should know how we deal with traitors.” He turned to Lord Hastings. “I have to thank you, my lord,” he said. “I shall deal with this traitor at once.”
“Sire!” exclaimed Lord Hastings, “if I may be permitted to say a word.”
“Speak,” said the Czar briefly.
“Then, sire, I would suggest that you do not act hastily in this matter.”
“And why?” demanded the Russian ruler.
“Because, sire, the Count Blowinski undoubtedly has a strong following. He will not be deposed so easily as you imagine. If you execute him summarily, there is no telling what may result—revolution, anarchy—no man can tell. Let the man convict himself in the eyes of the people—or in his own eyes and put an end to himself.”