esides, we have so
far conducted our investigations in that diplomatic language."

"You are presumptuous, sir," said Trusia sharply. "_You_ have no part in
the conduct of this matter. You are simply a witness." Josef bowed low
in meekness.

Without deigning a reply to the old fellow, Sobieska spoke next in
fairly good English to the Cockney.

"What is your nation--birthplace?"

"England; Whitechapel, London," replied Carrick with natural
taciturnity.

"Where did you get that?" continued the Minister, pointing to the
medal.

"My guv'nor left it to me when he croaked."

His questioner's eyelids were raised the merest shade in
non-comprehension of the vernacular.

"Your governor," he said slowly as if seeking a key to relationship.
Josef smiled. The latter's exultation was that of one enjoying a
possible misconstruction which might attend a literal interpretation of
what he knew was idiomatic.

"Guvnor is the Whitechapel slang for father. My man many years ago told
me he had received it in that way--the death of his parent," explained
Carter coming to the rescue.

The stately Krovitzer bowed in acknowledgment of the explanation then
continued his questioning.

"Where did he get it?" His sleepy eyes were probing deep.

"How the hell should I know," replied the irritated Cockney, who swiftly
resented this prying into his affairs. Remembering himself instantly, he
turned with a fine red in his face to the girl on the dais. "I beg your
pardon, Your Grace, for forgetting myself. It was none of 'is business,"
he said, defending his lapse.

"Was he English, also?" pursued Sobieska relentlessly.

"Sure."

"His name?"

"Mark Carrick," was the almost surly answer.

"His business?"

"Scrivener."

"Why did you come to Krovitch?" The question was advanced suddenly,
unexpectedly, as if to catch the chauffeur off his guard.

"I'm Captain Carter's man; you'd better arsk him." Carrick was
displaying renewed signs of impatience.

Sobieska paused. He gravely turned to his associates, and, for their
information, translated fairly and without comment what the chauffeur
had said into French, with which language Sutphen and Muhlen-Sarkey
seemed conversant.

"That you might correct any misstatements," he explained calmly to
Carter.

"There was no need," replied the American. "You have been most
impartial."

Evidently not yet satisfied with the results obtained from his
preliminary investigations, he turned agai