“Signor Ghelardi, you will, I tell you, say nothing of to-night’s incident to a single soul.”
The elder man laughed openly in the diplomat’s face.
“No, Signor Waldron,” he said, “I quite understand you have no desire that the truth should become common property; but His Majesty will say nothing to others.”
“His Majesty will not know!” Waldron said decisively and very quietly. There was a hard look upon his dark handsome face.
“Madonna mia! I may surely make what report I like to my King, to whom I am directly responsible.”
“In this instance, Signor Ghelardi, though you discern in it an excellent opportunity of showing your remarkable powers of inquiry, you will remain strictly silent. No word of it shall pass your lips.”
“Oh, and pray why, my dear signore?” asked the other opening his eyes.
“Because I forbid it.”
“You forbid!” he echoed. “I tell you that I shall act just as I deem proper.”
“Then I, too, shall also act, Signor Ghelardi—and much against your interests, I assure you.”