You afterwards disregard the fact
that you are liable to a long term of imprisonment yourself, and
actually have the audacity to seek audience of me and make all sorts of
hints and suggestions that I have held the woman a prisoner for my own
ends!"
"Not only do I repeat that, Baron Oberg," I said quickly. "But I also
allege that it was at your instigation that in Siena an operation was
performed upon the unfortunate girl which deprived her of speech and
hearing."
"At my instigation?"
"Yes, at yours!"
He laughed again, but uneasily, a forced laugh, and leaned against the
edge of the big writing-table near the window.
"Well, what next?" he inquired, pretending to be interested in my
allegations. "What do you want of me?"
"I desire you to give the Mademoiselle Heath her complete freedom," I
said.
"Is that all?"
"All--for the present."
"But her future is not in my hands. The Minister in Petersburg has
decreed her removal to Saghalien as a person dangerous to the State."
"Which means that she will be ill-treated--knouted to death, perhaps.
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