“That is what the prisoner says,” he replied drily. “But what do you know of this matter?”
“Your prisoner,” said Lord Hastings, “is one of the lads I presented to you this morning, my own first officer.”
“By Jove!” said the Czar in perfect English, “I thought his face looked familiar. So it is he, eh? Well, if he did not try to kill me how does it come that he was seen with the bomb in his hand?”
Frank stepped forward.
“I can explain that, if your majesty will give me permission,” he said quietly.
The Czar looked at him.
“And you,” he said, “are Lord Hastings’ second officer, are you not?”
“I am, your majesty.”
“Then tell me what you know of this attempted assassination, if anything.”
As briefly as possible Frank reconstructed the scene for the Czar. As he progressed with his tale, the Czar became more and more interested.