Renwick leaned against the mantel, his arms folded, and went on steadily.
"The thing is not impossible, Countess Strahni. The danger to Franz Ferdinand is very real—a danger that no army of Austrian soldiers can minimize. He goes to a hostile neighborhood. He is not loved in Sarajevo. Should not this be sufficient?"
"You trouble me," she muttered, passing a hand before her eyes. "But I must know more. An Archduke must have enemies——"
"But this Archduke! Can you conceive of no reason why Franz Ferdinand should be in danger?" he asked meaningly.
She searched his face quickly, in her eyes the truth dawning.
"You mean——?"
He shrugged.
"You should know what I mean."
"I cannot believe——" she halted again.
"Countess Strahni," he went on quickly, "were I still a member of the staff of the British Embassy, I should not speak. I do not even now accuse any group or political party of participation in this plot. The Emperor at least is guiltless. Death has already done its worst to him. The matter is out of his hands. But I do know that such a plot exists. Franz Ferdinand will not return alive from Sarajevo and if the Duchess of Hohenberg accompanies him, she, too——"