He rang sharply the bell which stood on the table, and Paschics burst open the door and rushed in, followed by two or three servants, and pausing in astonishment when he saw the tranquil condition of affairs.
“I must have this man searched,” said Cyril. “I suspect him of being in possession of the cigarette-case presented to me by the Emperor of Pannonia, and bearing his Majesty’s cipher in brilliants. It is possible that you may find other stolen property upon him as well. I missed one of my revolvers the day before yesterday.”
In an instant Sergeivics was seized and held by two footmen while Paschics searched his pockets. The cigarette-case and a revolver were produced almost immediately, and laid in triumph on the table; but nothing else was revealed by the search. Cyril nodded pleasantly.
“I thought so,” he said. “Well, it is quite out of the question that I should postpone my journey on account of this, and therefore the man had better be taken to Bellaviste to-night by the train in which I shall travel. Instruct the police to provide a proper guard, M. Paschics, and report to me when you have made arrangements.”
CHAPTER X.
A NEW RELATIONSHIP.
Left to himself, Cyril rose from his chair, and began to walk rapidly up and down the room, maturing some plan in his mind as he walked. Once or twice his meditations were interrupted by the entrance of a servant with a letter or a message; but he disposed quickly of these stray pieces of business, and returned to the consideration of his more important scheme. When Paschics came back, he sent him to summon M. Stefanovics, and then unfolded to the two men the tale of the conspiracy which he had forced from the wretched Sergeivics.
“But this is fearful!” cried M. Stefanovics. “Surely you have taken some steps, Count? Their Majesties ought to have left the town already.”
“The railway-station is watched, and even if it was too early to oppose the departure of the Court by force, nothing could be easier than to wreck the train,” said Cyril curtly.
“But why not telegraph for help to Bellaviste—or to Feodoratz, if M. Drakovics is too far off to be of any assistance?”
“Because I have for some time past suspected that some one was tampering with our telegrams, and now I am sure of it. I have just received a telegram which ought to have reached me three days ago, but which the operator says must have been delayed in transmission. It is from M. Drakovics, begging me not to leave Tatarjé until I have heard again from him, and if it had arrived in proper time it would have delayed my journey. Now, of course, it is too late.”