Mortimer cleared his throat uneasily.
“Our host is silent,” said Mrs. Malplaquet, “what does Mr. Bellward think about it?”
Desmond spoke up promptly.
“I think it would be very interesting to hear something further about this mission of Mortimer’s,” he observed:
Mortimer cast him a glance of bitter malice.
“Well,” he said, after a pause, “you force my hand. I shall tell you of this mission of mine and I shall show you the evidence, because it seems essential in the interests of our organization. But I assure you I shall not forget this want of confidence you have shown in me; and I shall see that you don’t forget it, either!”
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Desmond through his glasses.
“Let’s hear about the precious mission,” jeered Behrend, “let’s see the evidence. The threats’ll keep!”
Then Mortimer told them of how the Star of Poland came into Nur-el-Din’s possession, and of the Crown Prince’s embarrassment when the German authorities claimed it for the regalia of the new Kingdom of Poland.
“The Crown Prince,” he said, “summoned me to him in person and gave me the order to make my way to England immediately and recover the gem at all costs and by any means. Did I whine or snivel about being sent to my death as some of you were doing just now? No! That is not the way of the Prussian Guard...”