He hardly knew what to say, but ultimately stammered out some sort of denial.
Anne did not give him time to speak.
She said that she would see Denham herself, and get to the bottom of the imposture.
Then she asked what message he had sent in the character of her father.
Dane refused to give it in my presence, so I walked away for ten minutes and left them together.
Oh, I was foolish, I know," she added in reply to Ware's exclamation. "But I thought Mark Dane was devoted to me, and would not play any tricks while I was about.
However, I did leave them alone.
Anne was not in the least afraid, as she always got on well with Dane and trusted him entirely.
When I returned in ten minutes, or it may be more, they were gone."
"Gone!" echoed the Princess, much agitated. "Where?"
"I don't know.
I searched everywhere.
I went round and round the Abbey. I asked a policeman. They were nowhere to be found.
I fancied that they went across to Westminster Bridge, which they could easily do without my seeing them.
Anne must have gone of her own accord. She was decoyed by Dane. I don't know why, no more than I know what inducement he held out to lure her away.
I searched for hours.
Then I asked a policeman about the matter.
He told me to go to Scotland Yard.
I went and inquired for Steel.
He had gone home.
I have been walking the streets all night," said Olga, with a haggard look.
"Oh, great heavens!" moaned the Princess, wringing her hands; "what would your father say if he heard?"
"He will never know unless you tell him, mother.
I can look after myself easily.
No one molested me. I had a cup of coffee at a stall this morning, and went again to see Steel.
He has gone out of town."
"To Rickwell?" asked Giles eagerly; then he remembered. "I can't understand.
I called to see Steel at midday before I came here, and he was then in his office."
"Well, the official I spoke to about nine o'clock told me that he had gone, leaving a message that he was going out of town, and would not be back for a few days."
"I wonder," began Giles, and then held his peace.
It occurred to him that Steel intended to remain until he caught Dane in the trap laid for him in this very flat.
The knowledge that the man had decoyed Anne away on the previous night made Giles the more eager that he should be caught.
"You will see Anne yet, Princess," he said, for she was crying bitterly.
"Oh, I hope so—I hope so. But where is she?"
"We must ask Dane that."
"How are we to see Dane?" demanded Olga wonderingly.
Ware explained the use made of Olga's name by Steel to trap the man.
"I expect Steel will call on you to-day to tell you this," he said cheerfully.
"I am not sorry, and yet I am," said Olga thoughtfully. "I know much about Mark Dane, and want to save him from his bad companions.
But I hope Steel won't put him in gaol; that would ruin him entirely.
Besides, Steel promised not to have him arrested."
"Promised you?" said Ware, astonished.
"Yes.
It was I who told him to look after Dane.
I know much about this matter." Then seeing Giles puzzled, she explained, "When I first met Anne I saw that she was like myself in looks.
That drew us together.
You see it yourself, do you not, Mr. Ware?"
"Yes," replied Giles, "and I often wondered at it.
Now, however, that I know you are half-sisters, I wonder no longer."
Princess Karacsay nodded her approval, and Olga continued.