nd the reason, if I may ask it?'

'Mr Racksole, we speak in confidence--is it not so? Some years ago my
foolish nephew had an affair--an affair with a feminine star of the
Berlin stage. For anything I know, the lady may have been the very
pattern of her sex, but where a reigning Prince is concerned scandal
cannot be avoided in such a matter. I had thought that the affair
was quite at an end, since my nephew's betrothal to Princess Anna of
Eckstein-Schwartzburg is shortly to be announced. But yesterday I saw
the lady to whom I have referred driving on the Digue. The coincidence
of her presence here with my nephew's disappearance is too extraordinary
to be disregarded.'

'But how does this theory square with the murder of Reginald Dimmock?'

'It does not square with it. My idea is that the murder of poor Dimmock
and the disappearance of my nephew are entirely unconnected--unless,
indeed, this Berlin actress is playing into the hands of the murderers.
I had not thought of that.'

'Then what do you propose to do to-night?'

'I propose to enter the house which Miss Racksole entered last night and
to find out something definite.'

'I concur,' said Racksole. 'I shall heartily enjoy it. But let me
tell you, Prince, and pardon me for speaking bluntly, your surmise is
incorrect. I would wager a hundred thousand dollars that Prince Eugen
has been kidnapped.'

'What grounds have you for being so sure?'

'Ah! said Racksole, 'that is a long story. Let me begin by asking you
this.

Are you aware that your nephew, Prince Eugen, owes a million of money?'

'A million of money!' cried Prince Aribert astonished. 'It is
impossible!'

'Nevertheless, he does,' said Racksole calmly. Then he told him all he
had learnt from Mr Sampson Levi.

'What have you to say to that?' Racksole ended. Prince Aribert made no
reply.

'What have you to say to that?' Racksole insisted.

'Merely that Eugen is ruined, even if he is alive.'

'Not at all,' Racksole returned with cheerfulness. 'Not at all. We shall
see about that. The special thing that I want to know just now from you
is this:

Has any previous application ever been made for the hand of the Princess
Anna?'

'Yes. Last year. The King of Bosnia sued for it, but his proposal was
declined.'

'Why?'

'Because my nephew was considered to be a more suitable match for her.'

'Not because the personal character of his Majesty of Bosnia is scarcely
of the brightest?'

'No. Unfort