cy."

"Which is punishable by long imprisonment?"

The innkeeper bent his head.

"What have you to say in your defense?"

"Nothing," tranquilly meeting the frowning eyes of the King.

"What was your object in defrauding the Princess--" the Chancellor
opened one of the documents which lay before him--"the Princess
Elizabeth of her rights?"

"I desired the Princess Hildegarde to possess all," was the answer. It
was also a challenge to the Prince to refute the answer if he dared.
"I acknowledge that I have committed a crime. I submit to His
Majesty's will," bowing reverentially.

The King was stroking his chin, a sign of deep meditation in him.

"Let Their Highnesses be brought in," he said at last.

The Chancellor rose and passed into the anteroom. Shortly he returned,
followed by Gretchen. I could see by the expression in her face that
she was mystified by the proceeding.

"Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth is just leaving the carriage,"
announced the Chancellor, retiring again.

Gretchen looked first at the King, then at the Prince. As she saw the
innkeeper, a wave of astonishment rippled over her face.

"Be seated, Your Highness," said the King, kindly.

She knew that I was in the room, but her eyes never left the King.

The Prince was plucking at his imperial. The innkeeper's eyes were
riveted on the door. He was waiting for the appearance of her whom he
had wronged. Presently Phyllis came in. Her cheeks were red, and her
eyes sparkled with excitement. Wentworth nodded reassuringly. The
innkeeper was like one stricken dumb. He stared at Phyllis till I
thought his eyes would start from their sockets.

"Your Majesty has summoned me?" said Gretchen.

"Yes. Explain," said the King to the Chancellor.

"Your Highness," began the Chancellor, "it has been proved by these
papers here and by that man there," pointing to the innkeeper, "that
your mother of lamented memory gave birth to twins. One is yourself;
the other was spirited away at the request of your mother. We shall
pass over her reasons. It was all due to the efforts of this clever
journalist here--" Gretchen was compelled to look at me now, while the
King frowned and the Prince smiled--"that your sister has been found."

Gretchen gave a cry and started to go to Phyllis with outstretched
arms; but as Phyllis stood motionless she stopped, and her arms fell.

"Your Highness," said the King to Phyllis, "it is your sister, the
Pri