“In order that the people might take my side, in the belief that the reports of military risings in Mecklenburg were true. And then thinking that this was wrong I crossed out the word.”
“Which means that you rejoiced to hear of these risings?”
The Tsarevitch did not reply.
“And if you were glad,” continued Peter, as though he had heard an answer, “you intended to join the revolutionists?”
“If they had sent for me I would have joined them. I expected a summons after your death, because——”
He stopped, grew yet more pale, and finished with obvious difficulty:—
“Because they wished to assassinate you, but I did not think that there was any design for depriving you of the empire during your lifetime.”
“But if there had been such a design?” asked Peter quietly, with a side glance at his son.
“If I had had the people with me in sufficient force, even during your lifetime I should have laid claim to the empire,” answered Alexis in the same low tone.
“Declare all you know,” ordered Peter, turning to Afrossinia.