“If General Markoff is still here I desire to see him immediately.”
The Captain saluted, backed out and withdrew.
I held my breath. This was, indeed, a misfortune. I had no wish that Markoff should know of the inquiries I was instituting.
“May I venture to make a request of Your Majesty?” I asked in a low, uncertain voice.
“What is it?” he asked with quick irritation.
“That General Markoff shall be allowed to remain in ignorance of Her Highness’s disappearance?”
“Why?” asked the Emperor, looking across at me in surprise.
“Because—well, because, for certain reasons, I believe secrecy at present to be the best course,” I replied somewhat lamely.
“Nonsense!” was his abrupt response. “Natalia is missing. You suspect that she has fallen victim to some conspiracy. Therefore Markoff must know, and our Secret Police must investigate. Markoff knows of every plot as soon as it is conceived. His organisation is marvellous. He will probably know something. Fortunately, he had only just left me on your arrival.”
His Excellency probably left the Emperor’s presence because he did not wish to meet me face to face.