on that he's the devil on a furlough."

"Then he is the man--" I began.

"He is. Your love affair is all over once he gets here; unless--" Dan
looked at the sky as though he was undecided about the weather.

"Unless what?" I asked.

"O, just unless," said he. "I'd give 5 pounds for a glass of home-made
whiskey."

"You've got a plan of some sort," said I. "Speak it out."

"It wasn't a plan; it was just an idea. It's gone now. Maybe it will
come back later. Are you going to stay here, or come with me and
tackle a bottle of the innkeeper's Rhine wine? The German vinegar used
to make you hilarious."

"What's the coach for?" I asked. "Are they going to carry us off like
a couple of chickens?"

"I presume it is for her Serene Highness. I wonder how they found out
she was here? Probably the lieutenant you were going to fight, but
didn't, informed them. At any rate, the coach will not be for us. The
Prince will not bother with you and me while the Princess is here. I
don't know what they will do with us; possibly nothing, possibly put us
in jail. Come along; I'm thirsty."

It was late in the afternoon of the day following. I had not seen her
Serene Highness, the Princess Hildegarde--Gretchen. She had remained
in her room, and all efforts of mine to hold communication with her had
proved futile. I had stood at her door and supplicated; she had told
me to go away. The innkeeper had scowled when I suggested that he
carry a note to his mistress. He had refused.

"The Princess receives no notes," he had said. "Gretchen--it was a
different matter."

And Hillars had slept till after noon. It had been a bad morning for
me. The wounded lieutenant had been carried away the night before, and
there had not been anything for me to do but wander about--waiting.

"Will you help me with the Rhine wine?" asked Hillars.

"No. My head is fuddled enough as it is."

"Then you must let me do all the talking."

"And why you?"

"I shall know better how to irritate them," with a laugh. "They will
not take any particular interest in you when they set eyes on me. Homo
sum! I am the man they are looking for. They will find plenty of me.
I shall be a syndicate in myself; where they expect to find one man,
they will find a dozen, all alive and kicking. It will be good sport."

"What the devil are you up to?" I demanded.

"Wait and see; wait and see. Come, let us receive them in the hall.
The affair must b