“I am aware of that!” the General snapped. “Are you telling me that you did not notice Tatkenski?”
“I cannot keep repeating the same thing over and over again,” Alida said with a little touch of irritation in her voice. “Mr. Tatkenski told me that he was going to Sweden and I saw no reason why I should disbelieve him. So why should I pay any attention to the passengers disembarking yesterday?”
Her voice softened.
“I was sorry for him because he told me that his father was dead – brutally murdered in Siberia. I am afraid, General, that I am unable to help you further and I think that now I should return to the Palace before my cousin begins to wonder what has happened to me.”
She rose to her feet as she spoke and saw a faint flicker of surprise on the General’s face.
He glanced at Coun
