“I will give you nothing, my lord; nothing. I have said that I will answer neither one way nor the other. The accusation is too absurd. Now, Madame, what is your pleasure in regard to my disposition?”
“You are to be locked up, Monsieur,” tartly. “You are too inquisitive to remain at large.”
“My confinement will be of short duration,” confidently.
“It rests with my pleasure alone.”
“Pardon me if I contradict your Highness. I returned here incidentally as a representative of the British ambassador in Vienna; I volunteered this office at the request of my own minister.”
A shade of consternation came into the faces of his audience.
“If nothing is heard of me within two days, an investigation will ensue. It is very droll, but I am here to inquire into the whereabouts of one Lord Fitzgerald, who has disappeared. Telegrams to the four ends of the world have brought no news of his present residence. The archbishop instituted the latter inquiries, because it was urgent and necessary he should know.”
Fitzgerald became enveloped in gloom.
“And your credentials, Monsieur?” said the duchess. “You have them, I presume?”
“I came as a private gentleman; a telegram to my minister in Vienna will bring indorsement.”