“Why did you go? Why did you follow Her Imperial Highness and Mr Trewinnard?”
“I followed them because I had an object in so doing.”
“A sinister object?”
“No. There you are mistaken. My object was not a sinister one. It was to watch and endeavour to make clear a certain point which is a mystery to me.”
“A point concerning what?”
“Concerning Her Imperial Highness,” was his reply.
“How does Her Highness concern you?” I asked. “You tried to kill her once. Therefore your intentions must be evil.”
“I deny that,” he protested quickly. “I tell you that I went to Brighton without thought of any evil intent, and without the orders, or even knowledge, of General Markoff.”
“But he is Her Highness’s enemy.”
“Yes, Excellency—and yours also.”