He had mistaken the directions I had given him about the room into which Karl's brother was to be shown; and the next instant, Count Gustav entered and was staring at us all in amazement.
James was a shrewd fellow, and having recognized his blunder did the best thing to cover it. He shut the door behind Count Gustav and thus made his retreat impossible.
"I am afraid you have mistaken the house, Count," I said, drily. "This is not General von Erlanger's. But pray sit down."
He was bitterly chagrined, and shot at me such a glance of hate that I knew he understood I had outwitted him. Then his devil-may-care nature reasserted itself, and he sat down and laughed.
"Yes and no. My servant has mistaken the room into which you were to be shown--that is all. I meant to see you alone first. There will probably be some money to be returned to you--unless he has made another mistake as to that. I told him to be careful to insist upon part payment for his treachery in advance. I'll ring for him."
"What's this, Gustav?" asked Karl, as I crossed to the bell.
"Nothing to do with you," was the surly reply.
"Good morning, Count Gustav," put in Colonel Katona, "Miss von Dreschler, may I not now go and admire your garden?"
"No, Colonel, not yet if you please." At the answer, his face clouded ominously. He glanced from me swiftly to Count Gustav, and back to me with dark suggestiveness.
"Did Count Gustav give you any money this morning, James?"
"Give it to me." He handed me a bundle of notes and went out. I passed them on to Count Gustav. "You have made a mistake, Count. American servants are not to be found on the bargain counter."
"There is something here to be explained," said Colonel Katona, abruptly.
"Count Gustav was to have come to me at General von Erlanger's at twelve o'clock to-day; perhaps it might explain matters if he told us why he preferred to come here." I spoke very coldly.
He dropped his eyes to the ground, declining the challenge, and sat swinging his legs moodily in silence.
"What is it all, Christabel?" asked Karl.
"Trouble perhaps for us all, and probably very serious trouble. If Count Gustav will not explain, I will."
"Your brother and Colonel Katona do not."
"Hadn't we better speak together alone first?"