Say--will you not?"
With a malediction at his heart, but with a smile on his lips, Captain
Ducie made reply. "Pray offer no excuses, my dear Platzoff, where none
are needed. What I want is to see the Diamond itself, not to know where
it is kept. Such a piece of information would be of no earthly use to
me, and it would involve a responsibility which, under any
circumstances, I should hardly care to assume."
"It is well; you are an English gentleman," said the Russian, with a
ceremonious inclination of the head, "and your words are based on wisdom
and truth. It is necessary that I should blindfold you: oblige me with
your handkerchief."
Ducie with a smile handed over his handkerchief, and Platzoff proceeded
to blindfold him--an operation which was rapidly and effectually
performed by the deft fingers of the Russian.
"Now, give me your hand and come with me, but do not speak till you are
spoken to."
So Ducie laid a finger in the Russian's thin, cold palm, and the latter,
taking a small bronze hand-lamp, conducted his bandaged companion from
the room.
In two minutes after leaving the smoke-room Ducie's geographical ideas
of the place were completely at fault.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44