Drost replaced the cutting upon the table, and both men burst into hilarious laughter.
“Really, in the light of present events, those printed words must cause our dear friends, the English, considerable chagrin,” declared Ortmann.
“Yes. They now see how cleverly we have tricked them,” said Drost with a grin. “That interview gave us an increased six years for preparation. Truly, our Emperor is great. He is invincible!”
And both men raised their tall Bohemian glasses in honour of the Arch-Murderer of Europe.
That little incident at table was significant of the feelings and intentions of the conspirators.
“Your girl Ella is still very active, and that fellow Kennedy seems ever-watchful,” Ortmann remarked presently in a decidedly apprehensive tone. “I know, of course, that your daughter would do nothing to harm you personally; but remember that Kennedy is a British naval officer, and that he might—from patriotic motives—well—”
“Kill his prospective father-in-law—eh?” chimed in the Dutch pastor, with a light laugh.
The Count hesitated for a second. Then he said:
“Well, perhaps not exactly kill you, but he might make things decidedly unpleasant for us both, if he got hold of anything tangible.”
“Bah! Rest assured that he’ll never get hold of anything,” declared Drost. “I’ve had him out to Barnes to dinner once or twice lately, but he’s quite in the dark.”