tened
upon him, and that those eyes were rolling savagely in their sockets.

Just as the glass of water made its appearance, it was announced that
Herr Sonnenkamp might enter. He could not even once moisten his lips.

He entered the large hall, where it was bright daylight; but he
staggered back, for directly opposite to him hung an engraving, a work
of Alfred Rethel's. A strong-limbed man with the murderer's knife still
in his hand, bending and stooping, was making his escape over a heath;
the bushes on the road were blown aside by the wind, and above the
fugitive hovers a supernatural shape, holding a sword, with the point
downward, directly over the head of the fleeing criminal.

Sonnenkamp rubbed his eyes.

What is the picture here for? Or is it only a creation of his own
fancy?

He did not have time to decide this matter for himself, for just then
the Prince entered noiselessly from behind the curtain of the door,
over the thick heavy carpet. He was dressed in full uniform, with a
broad band thrown over the right shoulder and across his breast. He
carried himself very erect, and merely nodded slightly. He bade
Sonnenkamp welcome, and excused himself for having kept him waiting.

Sonnenkamp bowed low, without uttering a word.

CHAPTER III.

A BLOOD-RED STREAK.

"Is your son with you?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"Is he still determined to enter the army?"

"He is anxious to do so."

"I like the noble-looking youth, and will take care that the ladies do
not spoil him; they would like to make a plaything of him. Has he
already applied for admission?"

"Not yet, your Highness. I wished to have the application made in the
name that your Highness is pleased to confer upon me."

"Quite right," answered the Prince. On his writing-table were two
telegraphic knobs, a white and a black one; he pressed the white one;
the old valet entered, and the Prince said,--

"I desire that there shall be no one in the ante-chamber."

The attendant withdrew. Sonnenkamp gazed questioningly at the Prince,
who said:--

"Your elevation to rank has been a difficult matter for me. You have
many enemies, of course."

Sonnenkamp's eyes closed for a moment, as if some one were brandishing
a dagger before them; and then he gazed at the picture; it was no
creation of his fancy, it was hanging there behind the Prince. Why did
the Prince have it in his cabinet?

"You