"Excellency. I am Councilor of the Order of Nemi."
"Max Liederman," cut in the sharp voice. "Socialist-Democrat. Owns property in Stuttgart which may be desired by the Government. Accepted money from the discredited Baron von Weiler in the case of----"
"Excellency, enough!" said Liederman chokingly.
"How do you vote?" thundered Von Stromberg.
"For--Excellency," muttered Liederman.
"Quite right. You see how the wind blows?" And then, with a smile, "Zoya Rochal!"
Madame Rochal approached and her eyes and Rowland's met. The look in his compelled her and she faced the General with desperate coolness.
"Ah, Madame. And you----?"
"I vote No----" she said firmly, her lips compressed, her eyes closed.
"One moment, Madame, in case you should feel any uncertainty--you are a Russian by birth, the daughter of Alexiev Manuilov, a dealer in hides in Odessa. You were a very beautiful child. At the age of seventeen, you ran away from home with an English gambler named----"