“Whatever David Jost has said, David Jost alone is answerable for!” he then said calmly--“A Jew may be called a liar with impunity, and whatever a Jew has asserted can be flatly denied. Remember, he is in our pay!” “I doubt if he will consent to be made the scapegoat in this affair,” said Lutera; “Unless we can make it exceptionally to his advantage;--he has the press at his command.” “Give him a title!” returned Pérousse contemptuously; “These Jew press-men love nothing better!” The Marquis smiled somewhat sardonically. “Jost, with a patent of nobility would cut rather an extraordinary figure!” he said; “Still he would probably make good use of it,--especially if he were to start a newspaper in London! They would accept him as a great man there!” Pérousse gave a careless nod; his thoughts were otherwise occupied. “This Pasquin Leroy has gone to Moscow?” “According to his own words, he was leaving this morning.” “I daresay that statement is a blind. I should not at all wonder if he is still in the city. I will get an exact description of him from Jost, and set Bernhoff on his track.” “Do not forget,” said the Marquis impressively, “that he told Jost in apparently the most friendly and well-meaning manner possible, that the King had discovered the whole plan of our financial campaign. He even reported _me_ as being ready to resign in consequence----” “Which apparently you are!” interpolated Pérousse with some sarcasm. “I certainly have my resignation in prospect,” returned Lutera coldly--“And, so far, this mysterious spy has seemingly probed my thoughts. If he is as correct in his report concerning the King, it is impossible to say what may be the consequence.” “Why, what can the King do?” demanded Pérousse impatiently, and with scorn for the vacillating humour of his companion; “Granted that he knew everything from the beginning----” “Including your large land purchases and contract concessions in the very country you propose war with,” put in the Marquis,--“Say that he knew you had resolved on war, and had already started a company for the fabrication of the guns and other armaments, out of which you get the principal pickings--what then?” “What then?” echoed Pérousse defiantly--“Why nothing! The King is as powerless as a target in a field, set up for arrows to be aimed at! He dare not divulge a State secret; he has no privilege of interference with politics; all he can do is to ‘lead’ fashionable society--a poor business at best--and at present his lead is not particularly apparent. The King must do as We command!” He rose and paced up and down with agitated steps. “To-day, when he told me he had resolved to ‘veto’ my propositions, I accepted his information without any manifestation of surprise. I merely said it would have to be stated in the Senate, and that reasons would have to be given. He agreed, and said that he himself would proclaim those reasons. I told him it was impossible!”