t.

Nella drove off.

If the lunch was a success that result was due partly to Rocco, and
partly to Nella. The Prince said little beyond what the ordinary rules
of the conversational game demanded. His hostess talked much and talked
well, but she failed to rouse her guest. When they had had coffee he
took a rather formal leave of her.

'Good-bye, Prince,' she said, 'but I thought--that is, no I didn't.

Good-bye.'

'You thought I wished to discuss something with you. I did; but I have
decided that I have no right to burden your mind with my affairs.'

'But suppose--suppose I wish to be burdened?'

'That is your good nature.'

'Sit down,' she said abruptly, 'and tell me everything; mind,
everything. I adore secrets.'

Almost before he knew it he was talking to her, rapidly, eagerly.

'Why should I weary you with my confidences?' he said. 'I don't know, I
cannot tell; but I feel that I must. I feel that you will understand me
better than anyone else in the world. And yet why should you understand
me? Again, I don't know. Miss Racksole, I will disclose to you the whole
trouble in a word. Prince Eugen, the hereditary Grand Duke of Posen,
has disappeared. Four days ago I was to have met him at Ostend. He had
affairs in London. He wished me to come with him. I sent Dimmock on in
front, and waited for Eugen. He did not arrive. I telegraphed back to
Cologne, his last stopping-place, and I learned that he had left there
in accordance with his programme; I learned also that he had passed
through Brussels. It must have been between Brussels and the railway
station at Ostend Quay that he disappeared. He was travelling with a
single equerry, and the equerry, too, has vanished. I need not explain
to you, Miss Racksole, that when a person of the importance of my nephew
contrives to get lost one must proceed cautiously. One cannot advertise
for him in the London Times. Such a disappearance must be kept secret.
The people at Posen and at Berlin believe that Eugen is in London,
here, at this hotel; or, rather, they did so believe. But this morning
I received a cypher telegram from--from His Majesty the Emperor, a very
peculiar telegram, asking when Eugen might be expected to return to
Posen, and requesting that he should go first to Berlin. That telegram
was addressed to myself. Now, if the Emperor thought that Eugen was
here, why should he have caused the telegram to be addressed to me?
I have hesitated for three days, but I