“Absolutely certain,” the man replied. “Tomorrow morning it will be announced that you have disappeared and there will be chaos!”
Both laughed before the speaker went on,
“While the people are confused and angry that there will be no wedding, our troops will move in and it will be easy in the confusion for them to take over without any resistance or bloodshed.”
“What about the Palace?” Prince Igor asked almost sharply.
“We’ve thought of that as well,” the man replied. “Six bottles of drugged champagne will be given to the Comtesse to hand out to the soldiers on guard, telling them to drink the health of the bride and bridegroom.”
He gave a laugh before he added,
“I have never known a soldier yet who would not accept a drink whatever time of day or night it is offered to him!”
“That
