“I have been doing some thinking—ah—apropos of what you said. Is there not some man intimate with the secrets of the Government who may have record of Borodin?”
“Like whom?”
“Well, say like our host. I merely use him for an illustration. He seems to be informed on every detail of what the Government does.”
The countess’s quick mind decided that if this idea interested him, it would be well to lure him on through that interest. “Yes,” she returned, nodding her head. “I think you may be right. And as for the prince, he may be the very man. It is entirely possible he may know where Borodin is.”
She leaned nearer, and her manner was excitedly joyous. “Since you have been doing this thinking, that means you are at heart already one of us!”
“I am not saying yet, countess,” he smiled.
The voices of Prince Berloff and Mr. Howard sounded without.
“Come—you will be with us!” she said quickly, appealingly.
“Perhaps.” And then, half ashamed of his enforced reticence, he whispered: “Who knows? I may do all you ask—some day.”
Her eyes glowed into his. “Ah—thank you!” she breathed as the others entered.