perial scroll in his hand, and a
distinctly perceptible frown on his brow. When the servant withdrew,
closing the door, the prelate said:

"Highness, this is a very dangerous procedure on your part."

"Why, my Lord?"

"Because you are certain to have been followed."

"What matter for that?" asked the young man. "I am quite unknown in
Frankfort."

"Prince Roland," said the Archbishop gravely, "until your Election is
actually accomplished, you would be wise to do nothing that might arouse
the suspicion of Mayence. This house is watched night and day, and all
who come and go are noted. I dare say that within fifteen minutes
Mayence will know you have visited me."

"My dear Archbishop, they cannot note an unknown man. The uneasiness of
Frankfort has already taken hold of me, and therefore I saw to it that I
was not followed."

"If you were not followed when you came, you will certainly be followed
as you return."

"In that case, my Lord, the spies will track me to the innocent home of
Herr Goebel, the merchant, in the Fahrgasse."

"They will shadow you when you leave his house."

"Then their industry will be rewarded by an enjoyable terminus; in other
words, the drinking cellar of the Rheingold."

"Be assured, your Highness, that ultimately you will be traced to the
Royal Palace."

"Again not so, my Lord. They will be led across the bridge into the
mechanics' quarter of Sachsenhausen, and if the watch continues, they
must make a night of it, for I shall enter my humble room there and go
to bed."

"I see you have it all planned out," commented the discomfited
Archbishop.

The young man laughed.

"I anticipate an interesting life, my Lord, because it is my habit to
think before I act, and I notice that this apparently baffles the
Electors. The truth is that you three are so subtle, and so much afraid
of one another, so on the alert lest you be taken by surprise, that a
straightforward action on my part throws all intrigue out of gear. Now,
I'll warrant you cannot guess why I came here to-night."

"Oh, I know the reason very well."

"Do you? That astonishes me. What is the reason?"

"You came to see the Countess von Sayn."

"Ah, is the lady within? Why, of course, she must be. I remember now,
she was to accompany you to Frankfort, and it naturally follows she is
your guest."

"She is my guest, your Highness, and one reason why you cannot see her
is because at this moment the lady converses with the