whole of our conversation to the King. Now as to yourself. You are
a brave man, and I do not care to see harm come to such. Leave this
house at once. Marie will show you an exit from this side. You are in
danger from which even I am powerless to protect you."

"I thank you," Brand answered, taking up his hat. "Your friend
Domiloff is, I suppose, still anxious as to my whereabouts. And in all
probability--here he is."

CHAPTER XLII

There was a sharp tap at the door. Marie and her brother exchanged
quick glances. Brand stepped forward, but Marie waved him back.

"Who is there?" she called out.

"It is I, Baron Domiloff," was the suave answer. "I regret very much
to intrude, but I have urgent business with your friend Mr. Brand. Can
I come in?"

She hesitated. After all, any attempt to keep him out must be futile.

"You can come in," she answered.

The door opened, and Domiloff entered. He bowed low before the
Countess, but there was an evil smile upon his lips when his eyes met
Brand's.

"This is a very fortunate meeting, Mr. Brand," he declared. "It saves
us the trouble of searching for you. Only an hour ago, my dear sir,
the Countess and I were speaking of you."

"So far as the Countess was concerned," Brand answered, dryly, "I am
honoured."

Domiloff shrugged his shoulders. He turned to Nicholas with a smile
which was meant to be good-humoured.

"Mr. Brand imagines perhaps that I bear him some ill-will for that
previous little _rencontre_ between us, in which, by the bye, I must
admit that I had very much the worst of it. I can assure him most
sincerely that it is not so."

Brand shrugged his shoulders.

"We have met since then, Baron Domiloff, I think," he said, "and even
you must admit that a revolver bullet through one's hat is scarcely a
message of good will."

Domiloff was bewildered. Was this a joke, or was his friend--his very
good friend, Mr. Walter Brand--under some hallucination? Brand turned
from him impatiently.

"The matter is not one which will repay discussion," he said.
"Countess, I regret that I must offer you my adieux."

Domiloff held up his hand.

"One moment," he said, persuasively. "We are all three here together
now, and the opportunity is too excellent to be lost. The Duke of
Reist, the Countess, and I have something in common to say to you. You
will spare us a few moments--and your best attention, my dear Mr.
Brand."

"By all means," Brand answered. "'Someth