“It is clever, terribly clever,” Gardenia said, “but if I had any wits about me I would not have fallen into his trap ‒ so easily.”
“The Baron is a very experienced and clever man. It is not the first time he has brought off a coup of this sort.”
Gardenia looked startled.
“You mean he is a spy?” she asked. “Then why, why don’t you arrest him?”
“My dear, we are friends with Germany. They are our cousins, we are devoted to them,” Lord Hartcourt said with heavy sarcasm. We should never do anything so gauche as to make accusations we could not prove against anyone as important as the Baron von Knesebech.”
“But you can prove them!” Gardenia exclaimed. “He sent me here.”
“And suppose he denies it?” Lord Hartcourt asked. “It is only your word against his and who do you think is going to be
