"Precisely. The duke hesitates at nothing to conceal his treason."
"What proof have you of his complicity in this affair?"
"Actual proof—none, else would the headsman be now putting edge to his axe. But here are matters that have a suspicious aspect. Not till yester-morn did the duke learn that Russakoff was a prisoner in the Citadel, and that Trevisa was occupied with the document found on the spy. I did my best to keep the affair a secret, but our premier, unthinkingly, revealed it; and, according to him, the duke, on hearing of Russakoff's imprisonment, looked ill at ease. Why, unless the matter concerned him? Subsequently the duke paid a visit to the Citadel—in his official capacity, of course; but, mark the result! Two hours afterwards Russakoff's cell was found empty. How? Great is the power of the rouble-note!"
"Why, then, send the duke to the Citadel, since the itching palm that opened the gate for Russakoff may do the like for Bora?"
"I have thought of that, and therefore I have appointed some of my own troopers—fellows whom I can trust—to be the duke's jailers. But to return to the cipher letter," continued Zabern, in a tone of profound dejection. "It still keeps its secret. And Trevisa had just hit on the clue! Did he speak of the matter at all on the way to Slavowitz? Did he give you any hint?"
"None."
But scarcely had Paul given this reply than he started, as he suddenly recalled Trevisa's dying utterance.
"Marshal, I believe he tried to make a communication to me in his last moment. His words were 'Remember the furies!'"
"Passing strange! what meaning can there be in that?"
The two men puzzled themselves to no purpose over the singular saying.