"Too late, too late!" murmured the colonel, passively following, while his heart bled for the treacherous woman whom he would have died to save.
"Countess Arabella Baillou," said one of the figures, "I arrest you in the name of the emperor."
She looked defiance at him. "Who are you that dare arrest me?"
He took off his hat and bowed derisively. "I am the director of police, countess, very much at your service. Here is my authority for your arrest."
He would have shown her the emperor's signature, but she dashed away the paper, and fastening her angry eyes upon Szekuly, who was leaning against a marble pillar, she said:
"That is your dear friend, is it? You have been playing the detective, have you? Inducing me to fly, that my flight might expose me to suspicion!"
The colonel cried out as though he had been wounded. "By all that is sacred in heaven, I would have saved you!" sobbed he.
"And for your attempt I am obliged to detain you also, my poor, unhappy friend," said the director of the police. "But you will soon be able to prove your innocence. Let one of these men accompany you home and there remain under arrest until you hear from me. Now, madame, follow me, if you please."
"Allow me first to speak a word of consolation to my generous protector," said the countess.
"Certainly, madame."