r do we travel tonight?"

"A number of miles."

"Then I'm going to take off this wet coat. It weighs a ton. Won't you
remove yours?" He jerked off the big rain coat and threw it across to
the opposite seat, with the keys and the lantern. There was a moment's
hesitation on the part of his companion, and then a second wet coat
followed the first. Their rain helmets were also tossed aside. "Makes a
fellow feel more comfortable."

"This has been too easy to seem like an escape," went on Lorry, looking
back reflectively over the surprises of the night. "Maybe I am dreaming.
Pinch me."

A finger and a thumb came together on the fleshy part of his arm,
causing him to start, first in amazement, then in pain. He had not
expected his reserved guardian to obey the command literally.

"I am awake, thanks," he laughed, and the hand dropped from his arm.

After this there was a longer silence than at any time before. The
soldier drew himself into the corner of the seat, an action which
repelled further discussion, it seemed to Lorry, so he leaned back in
the opposite corner and allowed his mind to wander far from the interior
of that black, stuffy carriage. Where was he going? When was he to leave
Graustark? Was he to see her soon?

Soon the carriage left the smooth streets of Edelweiss and he could
tell, by the jolting and careening, that they were in the country,
racing over a rough, rocky road. It reminded him of an overland trip he
had taken in West Virginia some months before, with the fairest girl in
all the world as his companion. Now he was riding in her carriage, but
with a surly, untalkative soldier of the guard. The more he allowed
his thoughts to revel in the American ride and its delights, the more
uncontrollable became his desire to see the one who had whirled with him
in "Light-horse Jerry's" coach.

"I wish to know how soon I am to see your mistress," he exclaimed,
impulsively, sitting up and striking his companion's arm byway of
emphasis. To his surprise the hand was dashed away, and he distinctly
heard the soldier gasp. "I beg your pardon!" he cried, fearing that he
had given pain with his eager strength.

"You startled me I was half asleep," stammered the other,
apologetically. "Whom do you mean by my mistress?"

"Her Royal Highness, of course," said Lorry, impatiently.

"I cannot say when you are to see the Princess," said his companion
after waiting so long that Lorry felt like kicking him.

"Well,