d before them an envelope.
The address was "Grenfall Lorry Esq.," but the man was in doubt as to
which was he.

Lorry grasped the envelope, tore it open, and drew forth a daintily
written note. It read:

"My Dear Mr. Lorry:

"I was very much surprised to see you this morning--I may add that I was
delighted. If you will accompany this messenger when he calls for you at
three o'clock tomorrow afternoon, he will conduct you to my home, where
I shall truly be charmed to see you again. Will you bring your friend?

"SOPHIA GUGGENSLOCKER."

Lorry could have embraced the messenger. There was a suspicion of
breathlessness in his voice when he tried to say calmly to Harry:

"An invitation for to-morrow."

"I knew it would come that way."

"Also wants you to come."

"Sha'n't I be in the way?"

"Not at all, my boy. I'll accept for you. After this fellow goes, I'll
let you read the note. Wait until I write an answer."

Motioning for the man to remain, he hastened to his room, pulled out
some stationery, and feverishly wrote:

"My Dear Miss Guggenslocker:

"I shall be delighted to accompany your messenger to-morrow, and my
friend, Mr. Harry Anguish, will be with me. I have come half way across
the continent to see you, and I shall be repaid if I am with you but
for a moment. You will pardon me if I say that your name has caused me
despair. No one seems to have heard it here, and I was beginning to lose
hope. You may expect me at three, and I thank you for the pleasure you
bestow.

"Yours sincerely,

"GRENFALL LORRY."

This note, part of which had been written with misgiving, he gave to the
messenger, who rode away quickly.

"She didn't wait long to write to you, I notice. Is it possible she is
suffering from the effects of those three days on the other side of
the Atlantic? Come to think of it, she blushed when she saw you this
morning," said Anguish. Lorry handed him her note, which he read and
then solemnly shook hands with its recipient. "Congratulations. I am a
very farsighted young man, having lived in Paris."

VIII. THE ABDUCTION OF A PRINCESS

That afternoon they went to the palace grounds and inquired for the
chief steward. After a few moments they were shown to his office in a
small dwelling house just inside the gates. The steward was a red-faced
little man, pleasant and accommodating. He could speak German--in