it will be the Hotel Metzen--and, of course, the bill will be
sent to you."

"Oh, no, it won't," I answered.

"Surely!" she exclaimed, "you can't intend to hold me prisoner, and,
then, oblige me to provide my own subsistence."

"Your subsistence, Mrs. Spencer, is not my affair," I said, "since the
length of your enforced detention in Dornlitz is optional with
yourself."

"You mean?"

"I mean, that when you admit I am not and never was your husband, and
that the marriage certificate is false, that instant you are free to
depart."

She shook her head.

"I am willing to permit you to obtain a divorce," she said, "but I may
not deny the truth of the certificate."

"Very good," said I. "I trust you will enjoy your stay in Dornlitz."

She swung around toward Courtney.

"You are the American Ambassador, are you not, monsieur?" she said.

Courtney answered by a bow.

"Then, I ask if you will suffer an American citizen to be kept prisoner
by the Valerian authorities without trial or legal judgment?"

"Not for a moment, madame," said Courtney, instantly, and with a quick
smile at the King.

"You would protest?"

"Most strenuously--and so would Washington."

She looked at me with a triumphant sneer.

"You hear, Your Highness!" she exclaimed.

"Yes," said I, "I hear."

"I presume I am now at liberty to depart."

"From the room?--undoubtedly," I answered.

"Thank you--I mean from Dornlitz."

"Whenever you will," said I; "on the terms I gave you."

She turned, again, to Courtney.

"I appeal to Your Excellency for protection."

"Upon what basis, madame?" he asked formally.

She looked surprised.

"As an American subject," she said.

"And under what name?" Courtney asked.

"My rightful one, of course," she laughed: "Madeline Dalberg."

"Wife of the Grand Duke Armand?" he went on.

"Surely, monsieur--who else?"

"That, madame, if you will pardon, is the material point. As wife of a
Valerian Prince you are a subject of His Majesty, Frederick the Third,
and the American Government has no jurisdiction to interfere."

"But, His Majesty has just said I was not comprehended in the Decree
restoring my husband," she objected.

"Of course, I can speak only according to the doctrine of the United
States," said Courtney. "It asks only if you are the wife of a
foreigner. If you are, then, his citizenship determines yours."

She gave Courtney a sarcastic smile, and addressed the King.

"Will Your