17/36 "At what time did you go to his Highness's apartments this evening ?" "Your Majesty knows." "I know nothing of it," said the King, with the utmost calm. "You were on duty after supper. You escorted me to my apartments afterwards. I had already sent for Perez, who came at once, and we remained here, busy with affairs, until I returned to the throne room, five minutes before you came and confessed the murder; did we not, Perez ?" "Most certainly, Sire," answered the Secretary gravely. "Your Majesty must have been at work with me an hour, at least, before returning to the throne room." "And your Majesty did not go with me by the private staircase to Don John of Austria's apartment ?" asked Mendoza, thunderstruck by the enormous falsehood. |