He glared at the others, who now left the room rapidly. The count signaled the two lads to remain with him.
“You gentlemen,” he said after the others had gone, “shall remain as my guests. The freedom of the town and the house is yours. By the Kaiser! I am glad you have come. I was beginning to tire of waiting. Will you join me in a glass of wine?”
Frank was about to refuse, but Jack stayed him with a look.
“With pleasure, your Excellency,” the lad said quietly.
The Russian clapped his hands and a servant appeared. The count gave a command in Russian and the man disappeared, only to reappear a few moments later bearing a tray on which was wine and glasses. The count filled the glasses, and as each stood with his glass raised the count exclaimed:
“Confusion to Nicholas!”
As the count threw back his head and drained the glass, each lad was able to dispose of his wine in a jardinière which stood nearby.
“Your Excellency,” said Frank, “if you would be so kind as to put a room at our disposal, we would rest for a brief while. Your Excellency may never find it out, but a dungeon cell does not rest weary bones.”
“To be sure,” said the count with a laugh. “I had forgotten your recent hardship.”
He clapped his hands for his servants, then continued: “No, Count Stephan Blowinski shall never repose in a dungeon cell!”