"It was a pardonable mistake. Let us hope the announcement was merely premature." He lifted his wine-glass with the air of one proposing a toast. "It becomes our duty to make that statement true. _Messieurs_, our success!"
When the three glasses had been set down, the Englishman questioned: "How did it occur?"
In the smooth manner of an after-dinner narrative, Jusseret explained the occurrences of the night when he had brought his plans to an almost successful termination. He told his story with charm of recital, verve and humor, and gave it withal a touch of vivid realism, so that even his auditors, long since graduated from the stage where a tale of adventurous undertaking thrilled them, yet listened with profound interest.
With the salad Jusseret sighed regretfully.
"I rather plume myself on one quality of my work, _Monsieur_ Martin. I rarely overlook an integral detail. I, however, find myself growing alarmingly faulty of judgment."
"Indeed!" The Englishman was not greatly engrossed in the autobiographical phases of Jusseret's diplomatic felonies.
"I regret to acknowledge it, but it is, alas, true. I reflected that the world would resent harsh treatment of a man like Von Ritz. He had committed no crime. We could not charge treason against a government not yet born. I opposed even exile. He immediately rejoined his fleeing King--and has since returned to Puntal, where one can only surmise what mischief he agitates. It may be as well to consider his future."
"And now," callously supplemented the Englishman, "our new King feels an uncertainty of tenure so long as the old King lives, and I am rushed after this refugee Monarch with brief instructions to dispose of him."
There was a certain eloquence in the shrug of Jusseret's shoulders. "_Messieurs_, we have wrecked Karyl's dynasty, but it still devolves upon us in workmanlike fashion to clear away the débris."
Martin leaned forward and put his query like an attorney cross-examining a witness.
"Where was this Queen when the King was taken?"
"That," replied Jusseret, "is a question to be put to Von Ritz or Karyl. It would appear that Von Ritz suspected the end and, wise as he is in the cards of diplomacy, resolved that should his King be taken, he would still hold his Queen in reserve. That Kingdom does not hold to the Salic Law--a Queen may reign! And so you see, my colleagues," he summarized, "we, representing the plans of Europe, find ourselves confronted with questions unanswered, and with matters yet to do."