nner I had ordered
here."

"Magnificent. Then she will go with you alone? Nothing could be
better. The presence of the alleged mother as chaperon would be a
drawback."

"Oh, no chaperon is needed for us two. The--er--mother remains at the
hotel with a la--a companion they have, who is ill. It was--er--somewhat
difficult to arrange this matter, but I don't think the plot I have
in mind now will fail, provided you carry through your part as smartly
as I have mine."

"You may depend upon me. Your Royal Highness is marvelous. Am I to
understand that the lady goes with you quite of her own free will?"

"Quite. I flatter myself that she's rather pleased with the
invitation. In a few minutes, I and the fair damsel will be spinning
away for a drive in my red motor; you know, the one which I always
leave at the lodge, to be ready for use whenever I choose to pay a
flying visit. I shall keep her out until it's dark, to give you plenty
of time, but before starting I'll telephone to my _chef_ that, after
all, I sha'n't be away, and he must prepare dinner for two."

"I also will send a telephone message," said the Chancellor.

"To Leopold?"

"Yes, your Royal Highness. This time there will be no uncertainty in
my words to him. They will strike home, and, even if he should not be
intending to come to Kronburg to-night, they will bring him."

"You are sure you know where to catch the Emperor?"

"He'll telephone me from Felgarde, when he has found those he sought
are not there, as he will; and I must be at my house to receive and
answer his message. It will soon be time now."

"Very well, all that seems to arrange itself satisfactorily," said the
Prince. "Our motor drive can be stretched out for an hour and a half.
The lady will then need to dress. Dinner can be kept back till half
past eight, if it would suit your book to break in upon us, at the
table. My dining-room isn't very grand, but it has plenty of light and
color, and wouldn't make a bad background for the last act of this
little drama. What do you say, Chancellor? I've always thought that
your success as a stage manager of the Theater of Nations was
partially due to your eye for dramatic effects."

"Such effects are not to be despised, considering the audience we
cater for in that theater."

"Well, I promise you that for our little amateur play to-night, in my
private theater, the footlights shall be lit, the stage set, and two
of the principal puppets dressed