of his dearest inheritance. And I'm doing it
with calm deliberation, while, ostensibly, I'm his friend. If I
attempt to steal his watch he would be justified in shooting me on the
spot--why shouldn't he do the same when I try to filch from him the
Valerian Crown?"

"No reason in the world, my dear Major, except that to steal a watch is
a vulgar crime--but to plot for a throne is the privilege of Princes.
And Princes do not shoot their rivals."

"With their own hands," I added.

Courtney bowed low. "Your Highness has it exactly," he said.

I shrugged my shoulders. "You flatter me."

"I speak only in general terms; they do not apply to you, my dear
Major. You are not plotting to dethrone a King; you are simply trying,
frankly and openly, to recover what is yours by birthright. Lotzen's
real claim to the Crown is, in justice, subordinate to yours--and he
knows it--and so does the King, or he would not have put you on
probation, so to speak, with the implied promise to give you back your
own again, if you prove worthy."

"That's one way to look at it," said I, "and I reckon I shall have to
accept it. In fact, I'm remitted to it or to chucking the whole thing
overboard."

Courtney smiled approvingly. "That's the reasonable point of view.
Now, stick to it, and give Lotzen no quarter--you may be sure he will
give you none."

"I shall countenance no violence," I insisted.

"One is permitted to repel force by force."

"I shall not hesitate to do that, you may be sure."

"Good!" said he. "Now we understand the situation and each other; and
I can assist you more effectively."

"I shall advise you the moment anything new develops," said I.

"And remember, Major, to either you or Lotzen the Princess means the
Crown. Frederick will be only too glad to pass it so to his own
descendants."

"That's the truth," said I. "But I reckon the Princess doesn't need
the Crown to get Lotzen or me."

"Do you realize how lucky it is, under the circumstances, that you are
unmarried?" Courtney inquired.

"Rather--only, if I had chanced to be married, I would still be your
Military Attache. Frederick would never have given me the chance to be
an Archduke."

"At least, it's sure he would never have given you a chance to be a
King."

"And the American newspapers would have missed a great news item," I
added.

"I never quite appreciated what a wonder you were until they told me,"
he laughed. "You seem to possess a