“That you are all descended from John Theophanis, lady,” said Danaë sullenly, “and that this child is his rightful heir.” But her hands were on Janni’s shoulders, though her defiant eyes wandered from little Harold’s face to that of the Princess.
“My dear Eirene!” said Zoe, laughing uncomfortably, for there was a sense of something electric in the atmosphere. “Is it really necessary to require a confession of the Theophanis faith from every wretched servant-girl who comes into the house? What does it signify whether she believes in our claims or not?”
“If you are inclined to belittle your child’s rights, Zoe, I am not,” said the Princess coldly. Evidently her husband felt the moment was not propitious for urging his wishes, for the matter dropped. But when Zoe and her husband were alone together, Wylie showed that he had not forgotten it.
“That girl has some closer association with the name of John Theophanis than merely her Prince’s descent, Zoe,” he said. “Find out all you can about her—without letting her see that you are cross-questioning her, if possible. I don’t know what to make of her.”
“But what is there suspicious about her, Graham? She seems devoted to the child.”
“Yes, but the whole thing is so queer. I had better tell you exactly what we know of her.” He related the story of their first meeting, and mentioned the points which had struck him at various times as suspicious, his wife listening with close attention.
“But I don’t see how it fits in,” she said at last. “If she is a spy, why hamper herself with the child?”
“That’s what Maurice said. And then it struck him afterwards—I don’t want to frighten you, Zoe—that there might be some design against Harold. But I don’t see it. Still, surely the very purposelessness of bringing a baby with her would tend to make her less likely to be suspected?”
“But what design could there be against Harold? Graham, what have you heard? You must tell me.”
“My dear girl, I have heard nothing. It is simply that there were the usual rumours in Therma that Romanos was trying to negociate a royal alliance, and I suppose it is possible that the interested parties might wish to get rid of any other aspirants to the throne.”