He said this very genially, almost banteringly, but the man’s good-humoured tone and laugh were obviously a mask; behind his easy manner and glib talk there was the suggestion of a sinister purpose; it was a personality which in any case would have kept me on my guard.
CHAPTER VII
SUPPER AT THE BARONESS’S
The Baroness asked us to supper at her house after the play, and would take no refusal.
“I did not stand out,” Von Lindheim said afterwards, “as it will be a good opportunity of giving the Count a hint about this wretched duel. He is a sort of confidential aide of the Chancellor’s.”
“Not quite as easy-going as he looks,” I suggested.
“No; Furello is not exactly a man to trifle with. He would be the last man for Rallenstein’s purpose if he were. But I have always got on very well with him.”
Some other men came into the box and we left; the Baroness making us renew our promise to sup with her. “I shall slip out after the Trial Scene,” Von Lindheim said, as we returned to our stalls, “and report progress to Szalay. Poor fellow! I expect he is having an uncomfortable time. But I have hope yet of stopping this absurd affair. If I cannot get back here by the end of the play, we will meet at the Baroness’s, Wiener Platz, No. 1, the large house at the corner.”
We met there later on, for he did not return to the theatre.