Cyril accepted the invitation unsuspiciously; but when he arrived at Prince Mirkovics’s rooms he was surprised to find that there were other guests beside himself. The War Minister was there, and Constantinovics, the general who had compelled the surrender of Tatarjé, and several members of the Government who belonged to the party of the Nobles, of which Prince Mirkovics was the acknowledged head. The moment that Cyril perceived this he paused on the threshold, but his host took him by the arm and drew him into the room.
“Come in, Count,” he said; “you are the man we want. We have for some time been dissatisfied with the conduct of affairs, and this Tatarjé business has brought things to a head. Do you honestly think it is all right?”
“Really, Prince, you cannot expect me, a member of M. Drakovics’s Ministry, to enter into a mutiny against him.”
“The army will mutiny if this sort of thing goes on,” growled Constantinovics, a sturdy old soldier who had taken a prominent part in establishing King Otto Georg on the throne. “There are widespread rumours that a job has been perpetrated, and we want to know whether it is true.”
“It is quite impossible for me to accuse M. Drakovics on the authority of a rumour for which I can produce no proof,” said Cyril.
“Proof!” cried the General. “The suspicion of foul play is enough. The whole thing ought to be inquired into.”
“No one could object to that, of course; but you must see, General, the extreme impropriety of my suggesting such an inquiry into the doings of my own chief.”
“Count Mortimer is right,” said Prince Mirkovics suddenly. “It is important for him to remain in the Ministry, for he is the only man who can cope with Drakovics, and we must not risk his being obliged to resign. But remember, Count, when you make a stand as you did to-day, that we are with you. Our object, like yours, is to save the honour of Drakovics and Thracia. The Premier must be above suspicion. If he is warned by to-day’s experience, it will be well; but if not, then Thracia is to be considered before Drakovics.”
“It may interest you if I remark,” said Cyril carelessly, as he stood at the window, “that you have all been watched here. I recognise two or three of Drakovics’s spies on the other side of the street. I am afraid you have let me in for trouble, Prince. My presence will show that this is a political gathering.”
“You shall not suffer, Count,” said Prince Mirkovics. “Be sure that we will stand by you. We cannot spare you at this crisis.”