‘And what inference do you draw from the man’s act, Colonel?’
‘What inference! Why, can there be any doubt that he is a Nihilist spy?’
‘Where is he now?’
‘In the fortress of Peter and Paul.’
‘What will be his punishment?’
‘As a soldier on duty he has been guilty of treason—for it has been declared treason for any unauthorized person to make drawings or tracings of any part of a royal residence—he will therefore be summarily tried, and, if proved guilty, will be instantly shot.’
‘And you think he will be proved guilty?’
‘There is not a doubt about it. He was discovered making drawings of the palace without orders. When questioned, he declined to give any explanation, and his endeavours to destroy the plans showed that his motives were not innocent ones. Of course we shall try, before he is executed, to get information from him.’
‘Which you will fail to do.’
‘Why?’