“What makes you think that?”
“Men would not plot to put Alexander upon the throne unless they had first gained his consent; they would require his signature as a guarantee for their future safety.”
“You’re right. Alexander’s name heads the list.”
“’Tis his death-warrant; and let him die! We want no reforming Czars. And, as a man’s foes are those of his own household, I warrant that the second signature is that of the Grand Duke Constantine.”
“Correct. He follows his brother. Here is his name in Greek characters.”
“Grandmother Catharine hoped that he would one day be King of Greece,” said Arcadius. “That day will never come now. Whose is the next signature?”
“Count Pahlen’s.”
A savage joy mantled the face of Arcadius.
“Good! A powerful rival swept from my path. I may yet live to be Dictator of Russia. And the next?”