The eyes of the other two men met with a puzzled expression. “But if you suspect the officials here,” suggested M. Stefanovics, “why not despatch a telegram from some point outside the city?”
“Because the danger does not arise merely from treachery here. That would scarcely explain the delay in this telegram, and certainly not the confusion and omissions which have puzzled me in others. No; I believe that the conspirators are in the habit of tapping the wires between this and Bellaviste, and so reading, and occasionally altering, the telegrams which pass between the Premier and myself.”
“Then, you consider, Count, that to telegraph for assistance would simply defeat all our hopes of catching the miscreants unawares?”
“Exactly. Whatever is to be done must be done from this end.”
“You would perhaps suggest that their Majesties should cross the frontier, and take refuge in Dardanian territory?”
“No. I had thought of that at first; but besides producing an extremely unfortunate impression abroad, the attempt would be useless, for the Prince and Princess have left their country residence, and returned to Bashi Konak for the opening of the Legislature.”
“But still, would it not be advisable for their Majesties, under the pretext of a simple drive, to cross into Dardania, and then to make all speed for Bashi Konak?”
“It might be, except that everybody in the Villa and the town knows that no one belonging to the Court will drive to-day. You cannot surely have forgotten that the Queen is commemorating the late King’s birthday in retirement in her own apartments? If orders were given to prepare a carriage, it would instantly be surmised that something alarming had occurred, and a small band of resolute men could easily stop us at a dozen points between this and the Dardanian frontier. Moreover, we must not forget that the relations between the Scythian and Dardanian Courts are very close, and to my mind the message brought by this man Sergeivics to his fellow-conspirators here points to some knowledge of the plot on the part of Baron Natarin, if not of a more exalted individual behind him. It might even be a portion of the design to drive her Majesty into seeking refuge in Dardania.”
“One must hope,” said M. Stefanovics, with some pique, “that you have some plan of your own to propose for securing the safety of their Majesties, Count, since you see so many flaws in all that I can suggest.”
“Exactly; I have a plan—but I know that you will see innumerable flaws in it, although it is the only one that seems to me to offer a hope of success.”