Russia has no use for an effete ally such as England is." "Effete or powerful, my country is still able to present an ultimatum when diplomacy requires it," I said.

"Therefore I have no fear.

Send me to prison, and I tell you that the responsibility rests upon yourself." And folding my arms I kept my eyes intently upon his, so that he should not see that I wavered.
"As for the responsibility, I certainly do not fear that, m'sieur," he said.
"But the exposure that will result--are you prepared to face that ?" I asked.

"Perhaps you are not aware that others beside myself--one other, indeed, who is a diplomatist--is aware of my journey here?
If I do not return, your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Petersburg will be pressed for a reason." "Which they will not give." "Then if they do not, the truth will be out," I said laughing harshly, for I saw how determined he had become to hold me prisoner.

"Come, call up your myrmidon and send me to Kajana.