is theory,
though extraordinary, certainly seemed feasible enough.

"This is what puzzles me, however," said Bertram, who had been silent
for a few moments. "If he were able to get near enough to the body to
examine it, why did he take it away? It would be of no use to him, and
would be a source of continual danger. No! I am very much afraid that
there is something else behind it. Some other person is pulling the
strings. Rodriguez would be a mere tool."

"One thing is quite certain," said von Marquart, walking towards the
fireplace as he spoke, "and that is that we must find this man. If we
can once get hold of him we shall be able to discover a way to make him
speak. The rest should then be easy."

"But how on earth are we to catch him?" I inquired. "He would scarcely
be likely to remain in Zaarfburg. Besides, there is no time. It is only
three days before the State funeral will take place, and it is most
improbable that we shall be able to regain possession of the body in
that short space of time. It will be sad news indeed to give to the
world."

"It must not be given," said von Marquart imperatively. "They must know
nothing of it."

"But, good heavens! man," I cried, "how is the funeral to take place if
the body is still missing?"

"Very easily," he replied. "The public did not doubt you to-night when
you passed through the city to the cathedral; the archbishop did not
doubt you when he led the way up the aisle; and if every one else holds
his tongue, why should not the coffin be placed in the vault without
suspicion having been aroused?" Then, dropping his voice a little, and
speaking with even greater emphasis than before, he continued: "I tell
you as plainly as I can speak that we have no other course open to us.
After struggling with what at one time appeared to be insurmountable
difficulties, we have at last succeeded in replacing the Ramonyi dynasty
upon the throne. It behooves us, therefore, to proceed with the greatest
caution possible. One false step may result in destruction to all our
hopes. Your poor brother's mysterious absence did a vast amount of harm;
his death, however, fighting for his country as he did, retrieved it. I
must leave you to understand what the result will be if you reveal to
the nation this fresh catastrophe. The sensible will describe it as a
regrettable incident; the foolish will declare it to be a sign that
Heaven is against your house. That will be the opportunity your ene