"Only an English peasant, Excellency, who has stolen the missing star," Josef insinuated.
"Are you sure? Are you sure?" persisted the Colonel, who was struggling with a grave doubt, which was now inclining his judgment in favor of the captives.
Josef, comprehending the nature of the perplexity and fearing he might lose a partisan, advanced an argument whose significance did not then appeal to Carter.
"A medal, Excellency, even that medal may pass easily from one person to another without ownership having any special value. Papers, valuable papers, would be guarded faithfully from father to son because they alone would be incontestable proof. We know what we have already found. Look at this uncouth fellow," said Josef, indicating Carrick with a sneer. "Remember, he is a servant, and judge if there be any chance that his possession of the star should cause you any doubts? Was it with such as he the Line was maintained?"
That he had stilled any uneasiness in the minds of the Counselors caused by the display of the medal, Josef was now satisfied. He paused for a final effort.
Sobieska spoke quickly to Carrick in an unintelligible language to be met with a look of honest mystification.
Josef smiled ironically.
"Your Lordship surely did not expect to catch such clever rogues by so innocent a ruse? They hardly would confess to a familiarity with Russian. Such an admission would convict them. Indulge them in French. One of the pair has that much linguistic ability. Besides, we have so far conducted our investigations in that diplomatic language."
"You are presumptuous, sir," said Trusia sharply. "You have no part in the conduct of this matter. You are simply a witness." Josef bowed low in meekness.
Without deigning a reply to the old fellow, Sobieska spoke next in fairly good English to the Cockney.