Zabern, standing without, kept the door slightly open in order that he might not lose sight of Ravenna's movements.
Gabor the trooper here put a very pertinent question.
"Marshal, since the Pope and his cardinals know the princess's secret, what do we gain by killing the archbishop?"
"We stop his mouth from proclaiming the secret to-morrow," replied Zabern.
"True. But afterwards—?"
"Afterwards, my good Gabor, no one shall be able to say that our princess is not Natalie Lilieska. Was the real Natalie marked with a mole upon her right shoulder? A friendly physician can soon produce that disfigurement for us upon the fair skin of our princess."
Nikita laughed aloud.
"Is there any one living who can defeat the marshal?" he cried.
"There is one here who will make the attempt," said a voice.
At this the trio stared curiously at one another, for the words came from the oratory, and had plainly been uttered by none other than the cardinal. Recovering from his momentary surprise, Zabern, with sudden misgiving at his heart, flung wide the door.