Gareth caught my arm nervously. "I heard angry voices in one of the rooms, Christabel--my father's and Kar--Gustav's. What does it mean?"
"All will be well now that you have seen the Duke, dearest. Stay here a minute until I come for you."
I believed it now and felt very happy as I kissed her and she kissed me in response.
"I owe it you, Christabel," she whispered. "I will wait."
I went out with the General and closed the door upon her.
"You must do all that may have to be done now," I said, weakly. "I have finished, and can do no more. Count Gustav is there with Colonel Katona and Count Karl. Will you fetch him?" and I pointed to the room from which the sounds of voices loud in anger were to be heard.
But even as I spoke, the door was flung open violently, and Colonel Katona and Gustav came out.
"No, by God, no, you are too great a villain," cried the Colonel fiercely, and then seeing who was with me, he stopped abruptly.
In the pause I glanced through into the room and saw Karl staring after the other two.
Our eyes met, and he flung up his hands with a gesture of consternation and despair.
Instantly I thought of Gareth and raised my hand, hoping to still the Colonel's angry, strident tone lest it should reach her.
"He is a villain," he repeated. "I care not now who hears me say it. He lured her from me, planned to make me do murder, and now would have me join in dishonouring my child. You must hear this, Miss von Dreschler, for you know much--and shall know the rest."
"For Gareth's sake, Colonel, she is in that room and may hear," I protested.
"Let her come and let her decide this," said Gustav.
"No. This is for me. I will tell all. I have kept my secret long enough--for your sake, as you know--and will keep it no longer. You came here," he said, turning to me, "to clear your father's memory of the charge brought against him. I can prove it false, and will. He was charged with having murdered the young Count Stephen. It was a lie. This scoundrel here knows it was a lie. Ask him if he dare deny that."
There was no need to ask the question; Count Gustav's face gave the answer, clear and unmistakable.
"You will ruin everything, Colonel Katona," he said. "Not me only, but the Duke, your master, and the great cause--everything."