re we are going,"
added Cartoner. "But we think we are going home."

"You seem to be on the spree," said Martin, with a laugh in his voice,
and none in his eyes.

"We are," answered Deulin.

"Come," said Martin, turning to send away the carriage. "Come--your
shortest way is through our place now. My father and Wanda are out at a
ball, or something, so I am afraid you will not see them."

"Do it," whispered Deulin's voice from behind.

And Cartoner followed Martin up the narrow passage that led to the
garden of the Bukaty Palace.

XXI

A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING

Martin led the way without speaking. He opened the door with a key, and
passed through first. The garden was dark; for the trees in it had grown
to a great height, and, protected as they were from the wild winds
that sweep across the central plain of Europe, they had not shed their
leaves.

A few lights twinkled through the branches from the direction of the
house, and the shape of the large conservatory was dimly outlined, as
though there were blinds within, partially covering the glass.

"Yes," said Martin, carefully closing the door behind him. "You find
me in sole possession. My father and sister have gone to a reception--a
semi-political affair at which they are compelled to put in an
appearance. It only began at half-past nine. They will not be home till
midnight. Mind those branches, Cartoner! You will come in, of course."

And he hurried on again to open the next door.

"Thank you, for a few minutes," answered Deulin, and seeing a movement
of dissent on Cartoner's part, he laid his hand on his arm.

"It is better," he said, in an undertone. "It will put them completely
off the scent. There are sure to be more than two in it."

So, reluctantly, Cartoner followed Martin into the Bukaty Palace for the
first time.

"Come," said the young prince, "into the drawing-room. I see they have
left the lights on there."

He pushed open the door of the long, bare room, and stood aside to allow
his guests to pass.

"Holloa!" he exclaimed, an instant later, following them into the room.

At the far end of it, where two large folding-doors opened to the
conservatory, half turning to see who came, stood Wanda. She had some
flowers in her hand, which she had just taken from her dress.

"Back again already?" asked Martin, in surprise.

"Yes," answered Wanda. "There were some people there he did not want to
meet, so we came away again at once."