“And yet,” I rejoined boldly, “your Excellency should know these facts better than I.”
At last a great gust swept over the mobile face. “What do you mean, sir?” he demanded, with a show of restrained displeasure.
“Only, that as both these gentlemen, these victims, had the honour to be attached to your Excellency’s Bureau, you should be better informed of their fate than I.”
“I am, naturally, well aware,” he replied, “that Herr d’Urban was accidentally drowned the other day while boating, but,” he added with a smile, “it can hardly be pretended that our service, advantageous as I venture to claim it is, confers immortality.”
I returned his smile. “Rather the reverse just now, Herr Chancellor. The Secretary Szalay also has died suddenly.”
“From natural causes?”
“I wish I could think so.”
“You suggest foul play?”
“I fear I must.”
He laughed indulgently.