The Prince frowned. At the moment, the light caprices of women did not appeal to him.
“You are talking nonsense, my dear Inez. Let us come to the point.”
The Spanish woman came to the point at once, with an angry glitter in her eyes. What a pity that Zouroff was not a little more gentle in his dealings with women!
“Our little secret evening parties have been discovered, that is all. It may give you and me food for reflection.”
The Prince drew a deep breath. “Discovered! It is impossible. Who dares to suspect us?”
“It does not matter who suspects us. It is enough that we are suspected. I suppose the Secret Police have been at work.”
Zouroff thought a few moments, and then a sudden light came to him. He crossed over and grasped the beautiful young woman by the arm.
“Tell me the truth and don’t palter with me,” he thundered in his harsh, raucous tones. “Where have you this information? But I can answer the question myself. It is from that white-livered Italian, Corsini. He is a spy in the pay of Golitzine.”
Madame Quéro endeavoured to utter a faltering negative, but Zouroff, always fond of brutal methods, tightened his grasp on the delicate flesh.