The famous diamond, they declare, is in your hands.
A word from you in denial will most amply satisfy the Prefect; nay, I go farther: if your Highness would so far honour a subaltern as to declare his ignorance of the matter even to myself, I should ask permission to retire upon the spot."
Florizel, up to the last moment, had regarded his adventure in the light of a trifle, only serious upon international considerations.
At the name of Vandeleur the horrible truth broke upon him in a moment; he was not only arrested, but he was guilty.
This was not only an annoying incident - it was a peril to his honour.
What was he to say?
What was he to do?
The Rajah's Diamond was indeed an accursed stone; and it seemed as if he were to be the last victim to its influence.
One thing was certain. He could not give the required assurance to the detective.
He must gain time.
His hesitation had not lasted a second.
"Be it so," said he, "let us walk together to the Prefecture."
The man once more bowed, and proceeded to follow Florizel at a respectful distance in the rear.
"Approach," said the Prince. "I am in a humour to talk, and, if I mistake not, now I look at you again, this is not the first time that we have met."
"I count it an honour," replied the officer, "that your Highness should recollect my face.
It is eight years since I had the pleasure of an interview."
"To remember faces," returned Florizel, "is as much a part of my profession as it is of yours.
Indeed, rightly looked upon, a Prince and a detective serve in the same corps.
We are both combatants against crime; only mine is the more lucrative and yours the more dangerous rank, and there is a sense in which both may be made equally honourable to a good man.
I had rather, strange as you may think it, be a detective of character and parts than a weak and ignoble sovereign."
The officer was overwhelmed.
"Your Highness returns good for evil," said he.
"To an act of presumption he replies by the most amiable condescension."
"How do you know," replied Florizel, "that I am not seeking to corrupt you?"
"Heaven preserve me from the temptation!" cried the detective.
"I applaud your answer," returned the Prince.
"It is that of a wise and honest man.
The world is a great place and stocked with wealth and beauty, and there is no limit to the rewards that may be offered.
Such an one who would refuse a million of money may sell his honour for an empire or the love of a woman; and I myself, who speak to you, have seen occasions so tempting, provocations so irresistible to the strength of human virtue, that I have been glad to tread in your steps and recommend myself to the grace of God.
It is thus, thanks to that modest and becoming habit alone," he added, "that you and I can walk this town together with untarnished hearts."
"I had always heard that you were brave," replied the officer, "but I was not aware that you were wise and pious.
You speak the truth, and you speak it with an accent that moves me to the heart.
This world is indeed a place of trial."
"We are now," said Florizel, "in the middle of the bridge.
Lean your elbows on the parapet and look over.
As the water rushing below, so the passions and complications of life carry away the honesty of weak men.
Let me tell you a story."
"I receive your Highness's commands," replied the man.
And, imitating the Prince, he leaned against the parapet, and disposed himself to listen.
The city was already sunk in slumber; had it not been for the infinity of lights and the outline of buildings on the starry sky, they might have been alone beside some country river.
"An officer," began Prince Florizel, "a man of courage and conduct, who had already risen by merit to an eminent rank, and won not only admiration but respect, visited, in an unfortunate hour for his peace of mind, the collections of an Indian Prince.
Here he beheld a diamond so extraordinary for size and beauty that from that instant he had only one desire in life: honour, reputation, friendship, the love of country, he was ready to sacrifice all for this lump of sparkling crystal.
For three years he served this semi-barbarian potentate as Jacob served Laban; he falsified frontiers, he connived at murders, he unjustly condemned and executed a brother-officer who had the misfortune to displease the Rajah by some honest freedoms; lastly, at a time of great danger to his native land, he betrayed a body of his fellow-soldiers, and suffered them to be defeated and massacred by thousands.
In the end, he had amassed a magnificent fortune, and brought home with him the coveted diamond.
"Years passed," continued the Prince, "and at length the diamond is accidentally lost.
It falls into the hands of a simple and laborious youth, a student, a minister of God, just entering on a career of usefulness and even distinction.
Upon him also the spell is cast; he deserts everything, his holy calling, his studies, and flees with the gem into a foreign country.
The officer has a brother, an astute, daring, unscrupulous man, who learns the clergyman's secret.
What does he do?
Tell his brother, inform the police?