And then as she made no reply,
"So you see why I have acted quickly. Monsieur Rowland is clever, but the Gods serve the righteous. I brought you with me, Princess, because it was impossible to do otherwise. The judgment of a woman is not always to be relied upon. You are out of harm's way. I shall save you from mischief and from others who might do you and the cause I serve incalculable harm. I pray that you will do me the justice of believing in the honesty of my motives."
Under her robe her fingers clutched the dossier of Gregory Hochwald.
"Honesty is as honesty does. The passports, Monsieur--to me they can mean but one thing."
"Two things, Princess," he said with a laugh. "I am either a spy of Germany in Russia or a spy of Russia in Germany. Can you choose?"
His impudence amazed her.
"A spy--of Russia!"
It was time that she moved carefully, for the slightest slip might betray her. "Oh," she said carelessly, "I had not thought of that."
"I am not without friends in Germany," he went on--"in Prussia. I was educated in a German university. If I have used my connections in Russia's services, how can you blame me?"
She made no reply.