, and just within the sill stood the man from
Charlesport.

"Here's a wonderful book--a rare one--the record of that famous Latin
controversy," Aleck was saying, when he became conscious of the
entrance of Chamberlain and a stranger.

"Ah, hello, Chamberlain, that you?" he cried. Agatha and Melanie,
turning suddenly to greet Chamberlain, simultaneously encountered the
gimlet-gaze of Chatelard. It was fixed first on Melanie, then on
Agatha, then returned to Melanie with an added increment of rage and
bafflement. But he was first to find tongue.

"So!" he sneered. "I find you after all, Princess Auguste Stephanie of
Krolvetz! Consorting with these--these swine!"

Melanie looked at him keenly, with hesitating suspicions. "Ah! Duke
Stephen's cat's-paw! I remember you--well!" But before the words were
fairly out of her mouth, Agatha's voice had cut in:

"Mr. Van Camp, that is he! That is he! The man on the _Jeanne D'Arc_!"

"We thought as much," answered Chamberlain. "That's why he is here."

"We only wanted your confirmation of his identity," said the man who
had been standing by the window, as he came forward. "Monsieur
Chatelard, you are to come with me. I am the sheriff of Charlesport
County, and have a warrant for your arrest."

As the sheriff advanced toward Chatelard, the cornered man turned on
him with a sound that was half hiss, half an oath. He was like a
panther standing at bay. Aleck turned toward Melanie.

"It seems that you know this man, Melanie?"

"Yes, I know him--to my sorrow."

"What do you know of him?"

"He is the paid spy of the Duke Stephen, my cousin. He does all his
dirty work." Melanie laughed a bit nervously as she added, turning to
Chatelard: "But you are the last man I expected to see here. I suppose
you are come from my excellent cousin to find me, eh? Is that the
case?"

Chatelard's eyes, resting on her, burned with hate. "Yes, your
Highness. I am the humble bearer of a message from Duke Stephen to
yourself."

"And that message is--?"

"A command for your immediate return to Krolvetz. Matters of
importance await you there."

"And if I refuse to return?"

Chatelard's shoulders went up and his hands spread out in that insolent
gesture affected by certain Europeans. Chamberlain stepped forward
impatiently.

"Look here, you people," he began, "you told me this chap was a
bloomin' kidnapper, and so I rounded him up--I nabbed him. And here
you are exc