His companions looked at the speaker suspiciously. Was he growing reactionary in his views? was the question that came into their minds.
“Don’t mistake me,” he continued, noting their look of consternation. “I am as good a republican as walks the earth, but I don’t think a surface view of this country will have an influence upon the crown prince tending toward a great renunciation on his part. He will return to Rexania more determined than he is at present to rule. I tell you, my brothers, the prince must be destroyed, if he won’t be converted.”
There was silence for a time. Finally, Posnovitch beckoned to a waiter and ordered brandy for the quartette.
“Posadowski, what do you propose?” asked Rukacs, smiling as he glanced confidingly at the real leader of the group.
The clear-eyed Rexanian gazed thoughtfully at his companions. “Our steps must be guided by circumstances,” he remarked, guardedly. “The Wiendam is due here on the 7th. It is now the 5th. One of us must make it his duty to shadow the prince and keep informed of his every movement.”
“You’re the man to do it, Posadowski,” exclaimed Posnovitch, with conviction. “You have become more Americanized than the rest of us, and won’t create suspicion. Will you accept the responsibility?”
Posadowski sat silent for a time, puffing cigarette smoke thoughtfully and looking at his companions, who were watching him eagerly.
“Perhaps you are right, Posnovitch. I see no reason why I should not take the prince in tow. But let me impress several things upon you all. Listen. We must arrange a plan whereby I can summon you here at an hour’s notice. I have in mind a scheme that will require firmness on our part, but is not attended with any great danger. Not that any of you fear that. We all got used to it in the revolutionary days, ten years ago. Rexania was not a bed of roses at that time, was it, Rukacs? But to the point. That brandy has made me sentimental, and I’m tempted to dwell on the past rather than the future. Now, my brothers, if you really wish to leave this matter to me for the time being, I will do my best to satisfy you all. Our aim is simply this: to keep the crown prince in this country—which means, of course, within our immediate vicinity—until the king dies. An interregnum of even one day would be fatal to monarchy in Rexania. To-morrow night I will tell you all the details of my plan. Meanwhile, let us be seen together as little as possible. Posnovitch, come to me in the morning. I have a journey that I want you to make into Westchester County. And be careful of the brandy to-night. You must have a clear head to-morrow to carry out your part of the plan. Do you understand me?”
“Well enough to keep sober,” answered the elderly giant, good-naturedly.
“And so good-night, my brothers,” said Posadowski, as he arose to leave the room. To each of them he gave his hand, and before he turned to go bent down to them and in solemn tones cried, feelingly, “God bless Rexania and make her free!”