“And that is?”
“Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment.”
Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the officer. Tradmos laughed.
“You are afraid of me.”
“No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I never make a mistake along that line.”
Tradmos bowed, pleased by the compliment.
“I shall aid you all I can with my advice, for I know you will not betray me; but at present I am powerless to give you material aid. Every subject of this realm is bound to the autocratic will of the king. It is impossible for any one to get from under his power.”
“Why?”
“The only outlet to the upper world is carefully guarded by men who would not be bribed.”
“Is there any chance for my friend?”