I knew by this that there was something more important than Hagar behind. He would always put the less important consideration in front. "No. It’s the other affair; about the----" I broke off, and his eyes fastened on mine as if to read in them the rest of the sentence. "But it’s no affair of mine," I added with a shrug. "Why should I bother myself? But don’t forget my warning."
"Do you mean we have been betrayed? That there is a spy among us?"
I turned grave for an instant. "I name no names, Ziegler; but some one gave you away the other day when you failed."
The effect of this second shot was startling. "God of my fathers, if I thought it was von Felsen I would----." He clenched his hands in rage.
I was almost as excited as he was, but I took care he should not see it. Von Felsen was mixed up in these Polish schemes; and if I could get at the truth, I should have him in the hollow of my hand. "It wasn’t von Felsen," I said to reassure him. "He’s too deep in, and too much in your power to chatter. You know that. And I shan’t give you away. I have too much sympathy with your cause. But it wasn’t von Felsen. I assure you that, although I bear him no good-will."
I had succeeded in convincing him that I knew a lot; and he had not a suspicion that I had been merely guessing on the strength of the hints he himself had dropped. He sat a long time thinking, and was greatly disturbed.
"You have startled me, Herr Bastable; but I know you sympathize with the cause. I know that from what you have written in your paper. But why do you bear ill-will to Hugo?"
"Hugo," eh? He spoke or thought of him by his Christian name. The inference was easy. Von Felsen was playing a double matrimonial game. "When may one offer congratulations, Ziegler?" I asked with a smile. I could afford to smile, for I was winning, hands down.
"It is Hagar’s wish. She loves him; and she will be a countess, too."
"Two excellent reasons. And meanwhile you find him useful to get----" Again I broke off the sentence and finished with a knowing smile.
"You are the devil, Herr Bastable," he replied with a laugh.
"Well, it is at least useful to be able to get inside information when very important papers are in the hands of an Imperial messenger, eh?"