any time.
I am starving him so that he may devour some of Clopin's parakeets,
because I hate the sight of the little beasts. Thank you. Madame, do you
like music? Listen, then: I'll sing you Mauravania's national anthem:
'God guard the throne; God shield the right!'" and, dropping down upon
the seat before the open instrument, he did so.

* * * * *

That night was ever memorable at the Villa Irma, for the detective
seemed somehow to have given place to the courtier, and so merry was his
mood, so infectious his good nature, that even madame came under the
spell of it. She sang with him, she even danced a Russian polka with
him; she sat with him at dinner, and flirted with him in the salon
afterward; and when the time came for her to retire, it was he who took
her bedroom candle from the shelf and put it into her hand.

"Of a truth, you are a charming fellow, monsieur," she said, when he
bent and kissed her hand. "What a pity you should be a police spy and
upon so hopeless a case."

"Hopeless cases are my delight, madame. Believe me, I shall not fail."

"Only three days, remember, _cher ami_--only three days!"

"Madame is too kind. I have said it: two will do. On the morning of the
third madame's passport will be ready and the Rainbow Pearl be in the
royal jeweller's hands. A thousand pleasant dreams--_bon soir_!" And
bowed her out and kissed his hand to her as she went up the stairs to
bed.

III

Thrice during the next twenty-four hours Cleek, who seemed to have
become so attached to the mongrel dog that he kept it under his arm
continually, had reason to leave the house, and thrice was he seized by
madame's henchmen, bundled unceremoniously into a convenient room, and
searched to the very skin before he was suffered to pass beyond the
threshold. And if so much as a pin had been hidden upon his person, it
must have been discovered.

"You see, monsieur, how hopeless it is!" said the Count despairfully.
"One dare not rebel: one dare not lift a finger, or the woman speaks and
his Majesty's ruin falls. Oh, the madness of that boast of yours! Only
another twenty-four hours--only another day--and then God help his
Majesty!"

"God has helped him a great deal better than he deserves, Count,"
replied Cleek. "By to-morrow night at ten o'clock be in the square of
the Aquisola, please. Bring with you the passports of madame and her
companions, also a detachment of the Royal Guard,