The Emperor's Candlesticks Page #2

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We regret that, your highness,

but we had no alternative.

I must congratulate you

upon your fair confederate.

She was most efficient.

- Believe me.

- That lady would sacrifice even more

than the regard of your highness if

she could save the life of her father.

- Her father?

- Thaddeus Orlich.

- I beg your pardon, sir.

- Yes, what is it?

- Colonel Suroff?

- Yes, what is it? What do you want?

Well, the young gentleman

told me to tell you, sir-

Oh, yes, of course.

Where is he?

He left hurriedly with my mistress,

to attend a little party.

And he's most anxious

that you should join them.

Oh, of course. I might

have guessed as much.

Tell me, my good man,

what sort of party is it?

I mean, will my attire be

in any way out of place?

Oh, no, sir.

I don't think so.

The party is very small and if

I may say so, very discreet.

Oh, well, that sounds most pleasant.

There's nothing like

a discreet little party,

if one is discreet. Well.

What time is it, Albert?

Half past 2:
00, sir.

Oh, it's good to get to

bed early for a change.

It enables me

to get up early.

- Call me at 11:
00.

- Certainly, sir.

- Uh, am I busy today?

- Not particularly, sir.

You lunch with the sisters

Franccini at Sacher's.

I'm afraid you'll have to be punctual,

sir, because they have a matinee.

Well, don't they

have understudies?

Oh, possibly, sir, since they're

lunching with baron Wolensky.

That sounds suspicious as a compliment,

Albert. What else?

You have to call on

prince Johann at 3:00, sir.

Oh, yes.

No, no coffee.

Keep me awake.

- I'll have a little brandy.

- Very good, sir.

- Now, who could that be?

- Dear me.

- Well, tell her I'm out.

- Very good, sir.

Turn out the lights, turn

out the caller, and turn in.

Very good, sir.

Thank you, sir.

- Good night, sir.

- Good night, Albert.

It's Mr. Korum, sir.

All right. Ask him to come in.

- Oh, hello, Korum.

- Good evening, Wolensky.

- I've been asleep for hours.

- I'm sorry to disturb you.

Oh, it's no matter.

Have a drink?

No, thank you.

- What is it? Job?

- Yes.

- Where?

- Petersburg.

- When?

- At once.

Important?

A letter to the czar.

A letter to the who?

Read it yourself.

- Sit down, would you?

- Thank you.

- A little brandy?

- I said no thanks.

- No, I mean for myself.

- Oh, excuse me.

- How did you do it?

- We picked him up at the opera.

Maria did the work.

- But this is stupendous.

- I knew you'd be astonished.

But what is it that

you expect me to do?

You will leave tomorrow

night on the 10 o'clock express.

It will be your

business to deliver that letter

to the czar himself in time

to save the life of Orlich.

- How much time have I?

- 15 days.

Well, I'm glad I shan't have

to leave until tomorrow night.

Give me time to make my will.

The responsibility attached

to your mission is tremendous.

We could think of no one but yourself.

Nice...

Everything for your journey

will be planned.

I'm glad to hear that.

How are conditions

at the border?

Well, unfortunately,

more dangerous than ever.

That's cheerful I must say.

I suppose his majesty the czar will be

waiting at the station to meet me?

We realize the difficulty

of your task.

Oh, no matter.

- Oh, you keep this till morning.

- No. I'll turn it over to you tonight.

It would be dangerous of me

to have it. I might be watched.

That's right.

We propose to call upon

you tomorrow at 3:00.

Oh...

I'm visiting prince Johann at that hour.

A somewhat useless companion.

If it weren't for such

useless companions,

I might be as vigilantly

watched as you are.

Yes, you're right Wolensky.

I sometimes am.

I'll be here at 4:00

bless you, my friend.

And good luck.

Bless you my friend, and

thank you very much.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Go on, Pavloff, go on.

It's exciting.

Well, countess...

we agents here in Vienna have solved a

problem that has baffled our secret

service in Petersburg

for a long, long time.

We have discovered the identity

of Polish agent number 14.

- Who, Pavloff? Who?

- Stephan Wolensky.

Are you mad?

- The Wolensky?

- You know him, then?

Well, only by reputation.

But it seems incredible.

Of course...

Wolensky the gay, the debonair,

the aristocrat.

It's the finest disguise

in existence. But he's our man.

Do you have proof?

Letters in his own handwriting.

- How indiscreet?

- Decidedly.

And they account for his

frequent trips to Petersburg.

The gay baron Wolensky,

laughing at Russia.

I believe he's about to

stop laughing.

Well, if I'm successful in

getting the letters through,

his next trip to

Petersburg will be his last.

If anyone can get across

the Polish border, you can.

You're a very clever woman.

Thank you.

- When do I leave?

- This evening.

I shall come back this

afternoon with the documents.

Very well, Pavloff.

It's very short notice.

I just have time to get my tickets...

pack...

and call on my old friend prince Johann.

And then...

Poor baron Wolensky.

Baron Wolensky.

- My dear Wolensky, good of you to come.

- Thank you, sir.

I understand you're thinking

of a few days in Italy.

I might manage to come with you.

Alas, sir, I'm afraid that's out of the

question. I have to go to Petersburg.

- Petersburg? When?

- Tonight, most annoying.

Oh, that is unfortunate.

Important business, I suppose?

- Oh, yes. Definitely.

- Oh, that's very disappointing.

And I don't think much of your taste.

I always think snow a

most unbecoming color.

Ah, but not to the Russians.

I have some most

delightful recollections.

Oh, and may we hope,

anticipations?

I hope so.

Oh, so you're going to Petersburg.

By Jove. Wolensky, are you

carrying a lot of luggage?

On the contrary. Just one

trunk and my hand baggage.

Splendid.

I don't quite understand, sir.

- You can do me a great favor.

- I should be honored.

- They're beautiful, are they not?

- They are indeed.

The emperor gave them to me last year.

But I may tell you that if he had

given me a couple of sporting dogs,

I'd have been much more edified.

- You don't collect, sir?

- No, I do not.

So I decided to make them a

present to someone who does.

Why not?

Particularly if that someone

happens to be a lady.

- A very beautiful lady, Wolensky.

- Of that, I'm sure.

And am I to take it

that she lives in Petersburg?

How clever of you.

- Well, you mind?

- I shall be delighted.

Oh, I say, this chap seems to

have had a bit of an accident, eh?

Oh, that happened

a long time ago.

Well, and to whom are they

to be delivered?

To the princess Tania.

- Oh, you've met her?

- Have I not?

Oh, have you?

I should be delighted at the

opportunity to meet her again.

Oh, will you?

You know, I've never met a more

charming woman, or more amusing.

Oh, really?

You're quite sure this won't

be giving you too much trouble?

Oh, rather not.

Shall we pack them up?

One moment.

There's more to these

candlesticks than meets the eye.

They positively breathe intrigue.

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