Harry Hardwicke, who had lingered in
the concealment of Anstruther's home. The Captain found abundant time
to prosecute his "official business" with his lovely aid in the secret
service. And he had learned all of Alixe Delavigne's lessons now,
save to acquire the patience to wait. But a growing album of newspaper
clippings was daily augmented by Frank Hatton's artfully disseminated
items regarding "Prince Djiddin of Thibet," the first visitor of rank
from that land of shadows. The warring journals who wrangled over
the rich young visitor's "stern retirement" from all public intrusion
referred to the political coup de main to be looked for in "the near
future." From various parts of the United Kingdom, the mysterious
princely visitor's trail was daily telegraphed, and a hearty laugh
from all three of the conspirators of Rosebank Villa greeted the final
article in the St. Heliers Messenger, stating that a learned Moonshee
or Pundit, "the only Asiatic attendant of Prince Djiddin of Thibet" was
arranging for a brief visit of a descendant of the Dalai-Lamas.

Anstruther and Hardwicke laughed merrily at Frank Halton's last graceful
touches. "A romantic gratitude to a retired British officer, who had
once befriended the Prince's august father, was the one impelling cause
of a visit, in which the strictest retirement would be guarded by
the dweller on the Roof of the World," etc., etc. So read out Madame
Delavigne, closing with the remark that the "Moonshee had already
visited the Royal Victoria Hotel at St. Heliers to arrange for the
coming of his friend, and to the regret of the authorities, the Prince
would decline all the hospitality due to his exalted rank."

"Captain Murray must be even now at work," anxiously said the fair
reader.

"We will hear at once," said Anstruther. "Prince Djiddin, you must now
materialize! For Murray's letter tells me that he is already in full
communication with Jules Victor at the Hotel Bellevue. So the 'Moonshee'
has one faithful friend near at hand. If there is any shadowing of
either of you, Jules Victor is an invincible avant garde. He knows the
faces of all the dramatis persona. You see, Douglas Fraser is gone to
India and old Andrew has never seen any of our 'star actors.' We are
absolutely safe!"

"It seems that fortune favors us," tremblingly said Alixe Delavigne.
"This prying and curious Yankee, Professor Hobbs, also seems to have
fallen at once into the trap! Captain Murray's desc