"Be at the Hotel Metzen at eight forty-five," said I. "Come by the
Court entrance--you will be expected."

Then they rode away, and I hastened to the King.

As good luck would have it, Frederick was in his cabinet and received
me instantly. He read the letters and looked at me inquiringly.

"It means a plain talk between them," I explained; "and I propose to
hear it. I am, sure it would interest Your Majesty--much happened
yesterday." And I told him of the Vierle Masque.

Frederick frowned a bit--thought longer--then smiled.

"I don't much fancy eaves-dropping; but, sometimes, the end justifies
the means," he said. "I'll join you."

"There will be other witnesses, Sire," I said--and named them.

"I don't like it," he said.

"I can stop them," I suggested.

He considered. "No," said he, "I understand why you want them. I'll
come--they will be discreet. And the Princess would wish it so. I'll
bring her, myself."

Then I rode to the Metzen. Bernheim had preceded me and, with the
manager of the Hotel, awaited me at a side door. The corridor was
dimly lighted but I drew my cape well over my face and, is a moment, we
were in a small reception room.

"Monsieur Gerst," said I to the manager, "I need your assistance."

Gerst bowed very low.

"Your Royal Highness has but to command," he said.

I was quite sure of that, however. An Archduke of Valeria would have
been quite enough, but the Governor of Dornlitz was beyond refusal. I
could have closed his Hotel by a word, and there would have been no
appeal.

"Thank you, monsieur," I said. "You have as a guest, a certain Madame
Armand Dalberg."

"A guest by Your Highness's express permission, you will remember," he
said.

"Very true," said I. "Now, this Madame Dalberg expects a visitor
to-night at nine o'clock."

He gave me a quick glance.

"You know him?" I asked.

"No, Your Highness. I only know madame gave orders to admit no one
to-night except a gentleman who would come at nine."

I nodded. "It's the same," said I. "And what I want, is to hear all
that occurs between Madame Dalberg and this visitor."

Gerst smiled. "That will be easily arranged, Your Highness--the place
is already provided."

"The concealed Gallery?" asked Bernheim, quickly?

"Yes, Colonel." Then, to me, he explained: "Madame's reception room
was once a part of a small, state dining-room. Back of the end wall
runs a gallery where guests sat to listen to the sp