"These men have gradually and quietly reorganized the army, the bureaucracy, the very palace Guard. We have undermined the government's power, until when the word is passed to strike the blow, a honey-combed system will crumble under its own weight. When Karyl calls on his troops, not one man will respond. Well--" Jusseret smiled dryly--"perhaps I overstate the case. Possibly one man will. I think we will hardly convert Von Ritz."
"Ah, that is good news, Monsieur." The Countess breathed the words with a tremor of enthusiasm.
"It is, however, all useless, Madame--since His Grace is unavailable. In captivity he is absolutely valueless."
"In captivity he has a stronger claim upon our loyalty than in power!"
The dark-room diplomat regarded her with a disappointed smile.
"For a clever woman, _Comptesse_, who has heretofore played the game so brilliantly, you have grown singularly unobservant. I am not a crusader, liberating captive Christian knights. I am France's servant, playing a somewhat guileful game which is as ancient as Ulysses, and subject to certain definite rules."
"But, my dear lady, this revolution I have planted--nourished and cultivated to ripeness--I cannot harvest it. Outside Europe must not appear interested in this matter. If the Galavian people led by a member of the Galavian Royal House revolts! _Bien!_ More than _bien_--excellent!" Jusseret spread his palms. "But unless there is a leader, there can be no revolution. No, no, Louis should have kept out of custody."
The Countess leaned forward with sudden eagerness.
The Frenchman turned quickly from contemplation of the landscape to her face.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Once more you are yourself; the cleverest woman in Europe, as, always, you are the most charming!"
"Do you know where Monsieur Martin may be found?"
"I supposed he was here, consulting with you. I sent him to you with a letter--recommending him as a useful instrument."
"He was in Algiers, but I sent him away." The Countess laughed. "He wanted money, always money, until I wearied of furnishing his purse."
"Even if he were available he could hardly go to Puntal, Madame," demurred Jusseret. "Von Ritz knows him."
"True." The Countess sat for a time in deep thought.