Читать книгу The Ostrekoff Jewels онлайн

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"What of it?"

"Simply that if I deemed it my duty to make you a prisoner you would not be able to resist."

"On what charge would you make me a prisoner?" Haven enquired. "I am an American citizen with an American passport and carrying American despatches."

Patinsky smiled very amiably.

"How well it sounds," he observed. "But if those despatches, my friend, instead of being letters and documents, should turn out to be jewels of priceless value—the Ostrekoff jewels, for instance—being conveyed—very improperly conveyed, by the by—to a place of safety on behalf of your late friend, Prince Ostrekoff, then your position becomes a little more—I think your word is—assailable."

The man's smoothness irritated Haven and for the moment he lost his self-control.

"What the hell business is it of yours?" he asked.

Patinsky's long and elegant fingers toyed with his moustache.

"The question is bluntly put," he complained, "but I will reply to it. A few years ago I was a guest in this shooting lodge for purposes of sport. We played cards and there was a debt owing to me. The Prince has never paid."