“By kidnapping Harold?” She paused in sheer horror, then laughed. “You mean that they hope to deceive me by leaving that poor little shrimp in his place? I think that is really rather far-fetched. At any rate, I promise you that Linton and I will keep a very wide-open eye on Janni and his nurse, and if any wiles can get the truth out of her, it shall come to light. Then you still think Prince Romanos is not to be trusted?”
“His whole manner was most unsatisfactory. Putting off and putting off, slipping out of things and drawing red herrings across the trail. Of course, if the story of the projected Scythian marriage is true, one can understand it——”
Zoe interrupted him. “I don’t think you need be afraid of that, Graham. Think how long the rumours have been going on. Besides—I can’t give you my authority, because it was told me in confidence—but I have every reason to believe that no such marriage can possibly take place.”
“Then the mystery is deeper than ever—unless he is coquetting with the idea in the hope of getting some good out of it. But in that case he ought to let us into the secret. What are you to do with a man who won’t play fair to his own side?”
“But suppose you disapproved of the secret? It seems to me that he is very wise—from his own point of view. But it is horribly tiresome, of course—not being able to trust him, I mean. Oh, Graham, what about Eirene’s girdle? Were you able to get it back?”
“No, unfortunately. Everything seemed all right and above-board. The wall might never have been disturbed since the day she hid the thing, but there was merely an empty hole. And one can’t help remembering, you know, that the Scythian Imperial family would do anything to lay their hands on the Girdle of Isidora. But then, according to you, there’s nothing in that idea——”
“Nothing at all, I firmly believe. But I think Prince Romanos is capable of a good deal in other ways—which makes me not at all anxious to have a tool of his in the house. So I shall watch pretty keenly to catch Kalliopé tripping.”
“Begging your pardon, ma’am, might I speak to you a minute?” said Linton on the threshold, and Zoe joined her. She had a heap of little clothes on her arm. “I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am, but I thought I should like you just to see these. They are what was just taken off of that little boy Johnny. That nurse of his is singing him to sleep now—a thing I never have allowed in my nursery, nor never will—and he as naughty as possible, a fine contrast to Master Harold; so I’ve put his bed in her room.”
“But the things look very nice, Linton—and very clean,” said Zoe, fingering them in some perplexity.
“That’s just it, ma’am. Look at the stuff—and the trimmings. And all English-made—leastways European, as they call it. It’s my belief, ma’am, that child has been stolen, and from a good home, too.”