“But when he demands his prisoner in the morning—what then?”
“Why, then, it will be advisable for you, the Governor of the Citadel, to take upon yourself to affirm that the prisoner died during the night.”
De Vaucluse, being a diplomat, had no more scruple in suggesting a lie to Baranoff than Baranoff, in other circumstances, would have had in adopting it.
“It seems to me, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur,” said the Count loftily, “that you are neglecting the safest way out of the difficulty.”
“And that is——?”
“To surrender the person of Lord Courtenay to be taken to the Petropaulovski Fortress in accordance with the Czar’s wish.”
“I should be most happy to meet your suggestion, dear Count, were it not for one little circumstance.”
“Ah!”
“I have pledged my word of honour to Lord Courtenay that I would not surrender him.”
The Ambassador’s manner plainly showed that he meant what he said, and that further arguments directed against his decision would be so much wasted breath.