At the hour appointed, I was ushered into Rallenstein’s presence. He received me with a smile which might almost be called genial, and apologized for having had to ask me to postpone my audience.
“You have been in the country, Herr Tyrrell, nicht wahr? You are looking well. Englishmen thrive best away from town life.” I wondered if there was a covert meaning in that. “Now,” he added pleasantly, “how can I have the pleasure of serving you?”
“I have come from Herr von Lindheim.”
“Ah, yes?” There was simply polite interest in his look and tone. The heavy face gave no evil sign as I spoke the name.
“Not as an ambassador from him, but entirely on my own initiative.”
“Yes?” The tone was still polite, now almost verging towards boredom.
“Von Lindheim,” I said, “is in fear of his life.”
The thick eyebrows rose incredulously. “In fear of his life?”
I felt the man’s power of will and character, and determined to stand up against it. “And with reason,” I continued. “Your Excellency will, I am sure, not blame him for such a fancy when I tell you that within the last few days two colleagues of his have been secretly assassinated, and his own life has been attempted.”
The face I was watching gave an incredulous frown. “My dear Herr Tyrrell, this is an extraordinary and astounding statement of yours. Two of Herr von Lindheim’s colleagues assassinated and his life attempted! You can scarcely expect me to credit that.”