"Those people are splendid liars," he remarked as though he had been expecting just such a story—"of course she spoke about me. I can almost imagine what she said."
"It was a very great surprise to me," Alban rejoined, and with so simple an air that any immediate reply seemed impossible. For five minutes they ate and drank in silence. Then Count Sergius, excusing himself, stood up and went to the window.
"Is she to come to this hotel?" he asked anon.
"She would be very foolish to do so, Count."
"Foolish, my dear fellow, whatever do you mean?"
"I mean what I say—that she would be mad to put herself into your power."
The Count bit his lip. It had been many years since so direct an insult had been offered to him, and yet he did not know how to answer it.
"I see that these people have been lying to you as I thought," he rejoined sharply, "is it not indiscreet to accept the word of such a person?"
"You know perfectly well that it is not, Count. You brought me to Warsaw to help you to arrest Lois Boriskoff. Well, I am not going to do so and that is all."
"Are you prepared to say the same to your friend in London—will you cable that news to Mr. Gessner?"