the train.

"I beg the pardon of your Highness, but what I have to say had better be
said with as few hearers as possible. I should be much obliged if this
young person would read her correspondence in another room."

"The young woman," said the Prince coldly, "is secretary to her
Highness, and is entirely in her confidence."

The Princess said nothing, but sat with her eyes upon the table,
apparently taking no note of what was going on. Rich colour came into
her face, and, as the keen detective cast a swift glance at her, he saw
before him a woman conscious of her guilt, fearing exposure, yet not
knowing how to avert it.

"If your Highness will excuse my persistence," began Mr. Taylor blandly.

"But I will not," interrupted the Prince gruffly. "Go on with your story
without so much circumlocution."

The detective, apparently unruffled by the discourtesy he met, bowed
profoundly towards the Prince, cleared his throat, and began.

"May I ask your Highness," he said, addressing himself to the Princess,
"how much money you possessed just before you left Vienna?"

The lady looked up at him in surprise, but did not answer.

"In Heaven's name, what has that to do with the loss of the diamonds?"
rapped out the Prince, his hot temper getting once more the better of
him. Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders in
protest at the interruption. He spoke with deference, but nevertheless
there was a touch of reproach in his tone.

"I am accustomed to being listened to with patience, and am generally
allowed to tell my story my own way, your Highness."

"What I complain of is that you are not telling any story at all, but
are asking instead a very impertinent question."

"Questions which seem to you irrelevant may be to a trained mind most--"

"Bosh! Trained donkeys! Do you know where the diamonds are?"

"Yes, I do," answered Cadbury Taylor, still imperturbable, in spite of
the provocation he was receiving.

"Well, where are they?"

"They are in the vaults of your bank in Vienna."

"I don't believe it. Who stole them then?"

"They were put there by her Highness the Princess von Steinheimer,
doubtless in security for money--"

"What!" roared the Prince, springing to his feet, his stentorian voice
ringing to the ceiling. "Do you mean to insinuate, you villain, that my
wife stole her own diamonds?"

"If your Highness would allow me to proceed in my own--"

"Enough of this fooling. There are