The Duke took a sip of the champagne he held in his hand.
“Since I opened the bottle,” he said, “I think you are safe in drinking a little. It will help you to be brave – as you have to be.”
“If you cannot – take me away – then I must – die! You – must – understand that.”
The Duke looked round the room.
There was a low divan bed with a number of pillows and one sheet on it.
There was a low table with the champagne on it, two looking glasses hanging on the wall and a few primitive washing utensils in one corner. Otherwise the room, which was small, was empty.
There was, however, a thick and expensive carpet on the floor and he knew that by Oriental standards it was luxurious.
He looked at the window again, then at the door and an idea came to him.
He raised his head and stared up at
