"Better look at it only on the first proposition," he said: "'an
American officer or an Archduke.'"

"If I accept," said I, "I shall play for all the stakes."

"Of course," said he, "but you may lose."

"It is more than likely I shall."

"Yet, even if you do, you will still be the Archduke," he argued.

"I think I would not accept it without the other chances," I said.

"Yet you would adventure those very chances without being sure of the
Archdukeship?" he insisted.

I nodded, and Courtney laughed and fingered his imperial.

"You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very
needlessly," he said. "You know quite well you will accept Frederick's
offer."

"Do you advise me to accept?" I demanded.

"Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?"

"You say that as my best friend?" I persisted.

"I do--and more; I urge it."

"I think I am growing childish," I said, "I can't make a decision; I'm
afraid of the Dark, as it were."

Courtney nodded. "That is precisely why I am able to see the matter
more clearly than you--there is no Dark to make me fearful."

"And my commission and American citizenship?"

Courtney smiled. "You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke
of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least,
the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army. That's a
trifle more than you are giving up, don't you think?"

I made no answer.

"And then," he went on, "you can throw it all over and come back to us
if you get tired of your new job."

"I may be glad enough to get back to you and my American commission."

"Bother your commission! What does a man of your age and position want
in the hard-working American army?" he exclaimed.

"What does a man of your age and wealth want bothering with diplomacy?"
I asked.

"Because I enjoy the business, I reckon."

"Just as someone else may enjoy being a Major of Engineers."

"Come," said he; "if that's all that bothers you, I'll engage to put
you back in our Army any time within two years, if you wish it."

"You are very good, Courtney," I said. "I fear, however, the War
Department would not be so gracious."

He snapped his fingers. "That, for the War Department,'" he said
contemptuously.

"Besides, I'm too old to learn a new profession," I objected.

"A new profession?" he questioned.

I nodded. "The profession of being an Archduke."

"If I might judge by the Birthday Bal