"Let me finish. Perhaps I can make my purposes clearer to you. You believe that I have stolen this money, for some personal or political object. That is not true. It goes to a place of safety, where you as well as I will have some say in its disposition in international affairs. You chose to be suspicious of me and to take into your confidence this mad American, but he did not foresee, nor did you, that there were other forces at work which threatened the Society of Nemi--Ah! You are interested! It is the truth."
"Max Liederman!"
He nodded. "And you know what that meant?"
"Zoya Rochal."
"Exactly! You are clever, Princess Tatyana. Herr Liederman would have wasted no time. I know. I have evidence. He was prepared for the death of Kirylo Ivanitch. He meant that the bank notes should fall into no other hands but his."
"But Herr Liederman, whatever his deficiencies, is at least honest in his convictions and in his allegiance."
Khodkine laughed lightly.
"The convictions, the allegiances of a dotard who is in love with a dangerous woman are no more to be relied upon than the woman herself. Zoya Rochal has owned many men and used their fortunes. She is without an occupation. Herr Liederman is not prepossessing, but in her eyes twenty-five million of francs would beautify Pluto himself. And Herr Liederman----"
He shrugged expressively and finished with a smile.
"Herr Liederman would never have carried out his good intentions."