Читать книгу When I Was Czar онлайн

43 страница из 105

“You have named very high terms, monsieur.”

“His Highness, in your Majesty’s name, has already agreed to them,” he returned quietly.

“But we are now face to face, monsieur, and we can re-open the whole matter. I propose to do that, and I invite you to tell me now precisely your ultimate object and your inner motives.”

The question surprised him, and he pursed his lips and frowned in thought and looked across at Helga.

“I do not understand your Majesty.”

“Come, come, monsieur, you must do that. You are young, you have a great career before you as a maestro, they tell me, a career which means ample rewards in money in these days—so that you cannot be seeking money only. What, then, is it?”

“Your Majesty is good enough——”

“Stay,” I put in then. “I have explained to Mademoiselle Helga that I am strictly incognito. Regard me as no other than the American, Mr. Denver, and let us talk this out as man to man. Forget that there is any one present but a private individual who has influence with an absent Emperor. Now tell me frankly what is the real object you are seeking?”