"And that motive?"
"The safety of the Empire."
"Austria! But not complicity in this dastardly——"
At a warning sound from Renwick she paused. Herr Windt was regarding her gravely.
"I regret that I do not comprehend the Countess Strahni's meaning," he said with a bow. "It would be a source of great unhappiness to me, if in doing my duty, I had done you a harm. I am not an enemy, Countess, but a loyal compatriot. I may add that I am prepared to do what I can to protect you from the results of your unfortunate connection with a dangerous political situation."
"Protect! You!" Marishka smiled bitterly and glanced ironically around the walls of the cabin.
"I beg to assure you that I am not jesting. Herr Renwick will recall that he was attacked one night upon the streets of Vienna. He was also shot at by some person unknown. The inspiration for those assaults did not emanate from my employers."
"I suspected as much," muttered Renwick.
Marishka was examining Renwick wide-eyed.
"Shot at!" she murmured.