“Then I will tell you,” Rollmar returned, as though not unwilling to have vent for his spleen. “The man you sought was in that building; there were three of you, and you let him escape. All the wit shown in the business he may fairly claim. You should have sent one of your men round and cut off his escape on this side.”
“That I did, Excellency. I sent Forli round,” Ompertz assured him promptly. “It was hardly my fault that in creeping along the narrow parapet he slipped and fell into the water, thereby losing time.”
The boat touched the landing-stage. Without troubling to continue the discussion, Rollmar stepped ashore and walked off quickly, followed by the discountenanced but still jaunty Captain.
On reaching home Rollmar sent for his son. “Udo,” he said, “you see much of the Court doings. I must find out who the man is for whom the Princess has taken this foolish fancy. Have you any idea?”
The young man threw himself on a couch with a moody head-shake.
“I have seen nothing of it, father. She always seems cold and distant to every one alike.”
“And yet there is a—lover.”
Udo winced. The idea stung him as with the flick of a whip.
“You are sure of that?” he asked, hoping for a doubt.
“Quite. I nearly had the fellow caught last night.”