"Perhaps----" he broke in quickly. "I don't minimize the danger of my position. In Germany my life hangs by a thread. It is the penalty of my zeal in the cause we both represent."
Contempt and surprise that he should have thought her so dull were what she felt, but she managed to meet his glance calmly, for she had much to gain but still more to lose.
"We need not go into that. We stand or fall together. Tonight we shall protect each other--but tomorrow--we part company."
"As you please," he said slowly. "I will do as you wish. You have suffered much because of me, Princess Samarov, and I because of you----"
"We are enemies--political--personal---- Let there be no misunderstanding."
"But you do misunderstand. You have misjudged me from the first----"
"Enough----"
"Will you hear me out? I will not be long. You do not believe me when I say that the money of Nemi was as safe in my hands as it would have been in yours. I mistrusted Herr Rowland--you did not. I knew that in Germany where I had power and influence, I could safely bring the money through to Russia--with you--and I should have succeeded had it not been for this cursed American who has spoiled all my plans and betrayed me to the Wilhelmstrasse, where my future usefulness in Russia's service is now at an end."
His impudence amazed her but she smiled at him coolly. "And you imprisoned me at Starnberg, subjected me to nameless indignities, swore falsely against me in the committee----"
"To save you from yourself," he broke in. "You are a woman, unwise, impressionable----"