One Eventful Night

A nihilistic bomb exploded in the cabinet of the czar would scarcely
have created more consternation than did my statement. The emperor
himself started back in amazement, and then turned his face which was
white with rage and terror, upon Prince Michael.

The prince, instead of shrugging his shoulders and laughing at the
charge I had made, committed the mistake of turning deathly pale, and
at once protesting his innocence. It was that protest which decided the
battle of wits in my favor. Always ready to doubt those who were
nearest to him, the czar remembered instantly that I could gain nothing
by playing the traitor. He recalled also many instances, small in
themselves but sufficiently prominent now, when the prince had deceived
him. That, he knew I had never done. I had always possessed the courage
to tell him the truth even when it was unpleasant. The habit of
truthfulness told, then. He believed me, and he doubted the prince.
More than that, I seemed to him to know everything, for it proved to be
true that the prince had persuaded him to sign an order for my
temporary arrest--or rather, my detention in the palace. It had been
done when they were alone in the cabinet together, and how I could have
learned of it was a puzzle which he could not fathom. The more the
prince protested, the more certain the czar became that I had spoken
the truth, and while he glowered upon the unhappy man who became paler
and more uncertain in his speech with every effort, I stood calmly by
with my arms folded, not enjoying the situation, but determined to win
the fight.