"Strange. Why should he conceal the matter?"
"He might think that he would be suspected."
"True, true. That is well spoken, Wratslav. But yet he knows a little too much, does he not?"
"A great deal too much, Excellency."
"There is no certainty that he does not know also who the lady is."
"He goes to see her, Excellency."
The ivory knife swayed delicately, rhythmically, in the mobile fingers, then was still. The Minister spoke deliberately.
"It would be well if he did not go again—did not speak to her again for that matter—" The heavy lids flickered for an instant as His Excellency flashed one look of keen intent towards his hearer as though to emphasize the portent of his words. Then the smooth voice continued, "if it could be arranged."
"It can be arranged, Excellency."
"I thought so." Again the keen look. Then the Minister leaned back in his chair, revolving it slightly that his arm might rest more comfortably on the desk.