“Yes, four men were killed instantly, a dozen were seriously injured and are now in hospital.” “Oh, my God--my God!” cried the old man, covering his face with his hands, swaying from side to side in his chair like a man tortured with agony and remorse. At last he lifted a face that had grown more pinched and yellow within the last few minutes. “I can tell you nothing,” he said, moistening his parched lips. “You mean that you _will_ tell me nothing, for I see plainly that you know everything.” “I knew nothing of any explosion until you spoke of it. What have I to do with the Treasury or the Government?” “That is just what I want to know.” “It is absurd. I am no conspirator, but a man of learning.” “Then you have nothing to fear, Herr Seigfried. If you are innocent, why are you so loth to give me any assistance in this matter?” “It has nothing to do with me. I am a scientist--I am a scientist. All I wish is to be left alone with my studies. I have nothing to do with governments or newspapers, or anything belonging to them.” Jennie sat tracing a pattern on the dusty floor with the point of her parasol. She spoke very quietly:-- “The pencilled line which you drew on the map of Vienna passed through the Treasury building; the centre of the circle was this garret. Why did you draw that pencilled semi-circle? Why were you anxious that I should not see you had done so? Why did you destroy the map?” Professor Seigfried sat there looking at her with dropped jaw, but he made no reply. “If you will excuse my saying so,” the girl went on, “you are acting very childishly. It is evident to me that you are no criminal, yet if the Director of Police had been in my place he would have arrested you long ago, and that merely because of your own foolish actions.” “The map proved nothing,” he said at last, haltingly, “and besides, both you and the Director will now have some difficulty in finding it.” “That is further proof of your folly. The Director doesn’t need to find it. I am here to testify that I saw the map, saw the curved line passing through the Treasury, and saw you destroy what you thought was an incriminating piece of evidence. It would be much better if you would deal as frankly with me as I have done with you. Then I shall give you the best advice I can--if my advice will be of any assistance to you.” “Yes, and publish it to all the world.” “It will have to be published to all the world in any case, for, if I leave here without full knowledge, I will simply go to the police office and there tell what I have learned in this room.” “And if I do speak, you will still go to the Director of the Police and tell him what you have discovered.” “No, I give you my word that I will not.” “What guarantee have I of that?” asked the old man suspiciously. “No guarantee at all except my word!” “Will you promise not to print in your paper what I tell you?” “No, I cannot promise that!”