“I know,” went on Jost emphatically, “that the ring he wore was yours! I noticed it particularly while I was talking to him. It would take a long time and exceptional skill to make any imitation of that sapphire. There is no doubt that it was your signet!” The Premier halted suddenly in his nervous walk. “You told him the whole scheme, you say?” “I did.” “And his reply?” “Was, that the King had discovered it, and proposed insisting on an enquiry.” “And then?” “Well! Then he warned me to look out for myself,--as anyone connected with Carl Pérousse’s financial deal would inevitably be ruined during the next few weeks.” “Who is going to work the ruin?” asked the Marquis with a sneer; “Do you not know that if the King dared to give an opinion on a national crisis, he would be dethroned?” “There are the People--” began Jost. “The People! Human emmets--born for crushing under the heel of power! A couple of ‘leaders’ in your paper, Jost, can guide the fool-mob any way!” “That depends!” said Jost hesitatingly; “If what the fellow said last night be true--” “It is not true!” said the Premier authoritatively. “We are going on in precisely the same course as originally arranged. Neither King nor People can interfere! Go home, and write an article about love of country, Jost! You look in the humour for it!” The Jew’s expression was anything but amiable. “What is to be done about last night?” he asked sullenly. “Nothing at present. I am going to the palace at two o’clock--I shall see the King, and find out whether my signet is lost, stolen or strayed. Meanwhile, keep your own counsel! If you have been betrayed into giving your confidence to a spy in the foreign service, as I imagine--(for the King has never employed a spy, and is not likely to do so), and he makes known his information, it can be officially denied. The official denial of a Government, Jost, like charity, has before now covered a multitude of sins!”