"

Egon saw that presence of mind was necessary here; he turned and said
coldly: "I believe you see ghosts!"

"But, your highness--"

"Nonsense! only a passing resemblance. I noticed it myself. That's why I
asked the man his name. You heard him say his name was Tanner!"

"Yes, but it was Herr Rojanow for all that," said Stadinger, whose sharp
eyes were not to be deceived. "To be sure the black locks were gone, and
the proud, independent manner, but his voice was, the same!"

"Do cease your senseless chatter," said Egon violently. "You know very
well that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, and now you find him in an orderly
of the seventh regiment. It is really laughable."

Stadinger was silent; everything that he said was laughable or
impossible. The prince was only vexed because he had discovered that his
friend was only a common soldier. To be sure the Herr Rojanow of Rodeck,
who ordered every one around, even the prince himself, and the orderly
whom Lieutenant Walldorf ordered to come forward because he didn't speak
loud enough, were as far apart as heaven and earth. If it had not been
for the voice!

"Then your highness, you think--" Stadinger began again.

"I think you're an old ghost-hunter," said Egon gently. "Go to your
quarters and get a good night's rest after your journey; otherwise
you'll be discovering resemblances throughout the whole
garrison--good-night!"

Stadinger obeyed, and left for his own quarters at once. He shook his
head as he went--he was by no means satisfied with his master's
peremptory dismissal of the subject.

The prince paced the little room in great excitement as soon as he was
alone. His former friend had forced his way into the army
notwithstanding. Joseph Tanner! He remembered perfectly to whom the name
had belonged, and knew only too well whose hand had opened the way for
Hartmut. What will not a woman do for the man she loves, what price will
she not pay? She had even sent him into danger in order that he might be
reconciled to life and himself.

Jealousy, fierce and wild, filled Egon's heart at these thoughts, and
above all rose the fearful suspicion of the man's fidelity to his flag
and country. Was his presence at the dangerous outpost an answer to
suspicions, or was it a cloak to hide secret machinations?

Then the prince thought of the pale, dark face which had been so dear to
him, and with a motion of torture, he tried to put the memory from him.
He knew, none so well,