talk, Lord Chelsford especially. He is a man, they
say, with a twofold reputation. He has played a great part in the world
of pleasure, almost a theatrical part; but, you know, the French people
like that."

"It is true," I murmured. "They love their heroes decked in tinsel."
She nodded.

"They say that it is part of a pose, and that he has serious political
ambitions. He contemplates always some great scheme which shall make
him the idol, if only for a day, of the French mob. A day would be
sufficient, for he would strike while--Prince, be careful," she called
out. "Ah!"

We heard a shrill cry, and we saw the Prince sway on the verge of the
cliff. He threw up his arms and clutched wildly at the air, but he was
too late to save himself. We saw the ground crumble beneath his feet,
and with a second cry of despair he disappeared.

Grooton, Lady Angela, and I reached the edge of the cliff at about the
same moment. We peered over in breathless anxiety. Lady Angela
clutched my arm, and for a moment I did not in the least care what had
happened to the Prince.

"Don't be frightened," I whispered. "The descent is not by any means
sheer. He can't possibly have got to the bottom. I will clamber down
and look for him,"

She shuddered.

"Oh, you mustn't," she exclaimed. "It is not safe. How terrible it
looks down there!"

I raised my voice and shouted. Almost immediately there came an answer.

"I am here, my friends, in the middle of a bush. I dare not move. It
is so dark I cannot see where to put my foot. Can you lower me a
lantern, and I will see if I can climb up?"

Grooton hastened back to the cottage.

"I think you will be all right," I cried out. "It is not half as steep
as it looks."

"I believe," he answered, "that I can see a path up. But I will wait
until the lantern comes."

The lantern arrived almost immediately. We lowered it to him by a rope,
and he examined the face of the cliff.

"I think that I can get up," he cried out, "but I should like to help
myself with the rope. Can you both hold it tightly?"

"All right," I answered. "We've got it."

He clambered up with surprising agility. But as he reached the edge of
the cliff he groaned heavily.

"Are you hurt?" Lady Angela asked.

"It is my foot," he muttered, "my left foot. I twisted it in falling."

Grooton and I helped him to the cottage. He hobbled painfully along
with tightly clenched lips.

"I shall have to ask for a pony cart to get