"That is an idea," said the ambassador, hardly able to repress a grim smile. "I will send word to his excellency at once. I have no doubt but that he will do it."
"But it was not my fault"—began the kaváss again.
"I am not sure of that," answered the diplomatist. "If you find him, you will be excused."
"I think the man is not to be blamed," remarked Paul, who had not forgotten the anxiety the kaváss had shown in trying to find Alexander. "It is my belief that my brother's disappearance did not occur in any ordinary way."
"I think so, too," replied the count. "You may go," he said to the soldier, who at once left the room. A short silence followed his departure.
"Monsieur Patoff," resumed the elder man presently, "you are in a very dangerous and distressing position."
"Distressing," said Paul. "Not dangerous, so far as I can see."
"Let us be frank," answered the other. "Alexander Patoff is your elder brother. You feel that he had too large a share of your father's fortune. You have never liked him. He came here without an invitation, and made himself very disagreeable to you. You had a violent quarrel yesterday afternoon, and you were justly provoked,—quite justly, I have no doubt. You go to Stamboul at night with only one man to attend you. You come back without your rich, overbearing, intolerable brother. What will the world say to all that?"
In spite of his pallor, the blood rushed violently to Paul's face, and he sprang from his chair in the wildest excitement.
"You have no right—you do not mean to say it—Great God! How can you think of such a"——