“How he proposes to attempt such a robbery I can’t 226 imagine. I don’t want to denounce him to General Chanzy or Aurelles de Palladine, because the conspiracy is too widely spread and too dangerous to be defeated by the capture of one man, even though he be the head of it.
“What I want is to entrap the entire band; and that can only be done by watching Buckhurst, not arresting him.
“Therefore, madame, I have written and despatched a telegram to General Aurelles de Palladine, offering my services and the services of Mr. Speed to the Republic without compensation. In the event of acceptance, I shall send to London for two men who will do what is to be done, leaving me free to amuse the public with my lions. Meanwhile, as long as we stay in Paradise we both are your devoted servants, and we beg the privilege of serving you.”
During all this time the young Countess had never moved her eyes from my face—perhaps I was flattered—perhaps for that reason I talked on and on, pouring out wisdom from a somewhat attenuated supply.
And I now rose to take my leave, bowing my very best bow; but she sat still, looking up quietly at me.
“You ask the privilege of serving me,” she said. “You could serve me best by giving me your friendship.”
“You have my devotion, madame,” I said.
“I did not ask it. I asked your friendship—in all frankness and equality.”
“Do you desire the friendship of a circus performer?” I asked, smiling.
“I desire it, not only for what you are, but for what you have been—have always been, let them say what they will!”