derick-Christian, more puzzled than ever by the turn of events, now
turned his attention to his toilette. He was still in scanty attire and
went behind his screen to continue dressing. At this moment a soft and
charming voice spoke:

"Sire, are you there? It is I ... Marie Pascal."

Marie Pascal!

Where had he heard that name before? Slowly Frederick-Christian recalled
the silhouette of a young woman ... with a fair skin and light hair ...

The voice continued:

"I am glad to know that you are better, Sire. Forgive me for troubling
you now but since our last meeting things have happened of a very
serious nature ... hidden enemies want to destroy me ... to destroy
us.... First of all they accused your Majesty of the murder of Susy
d'Orsel, and now after torturing me with questions they have dared to
say it was I!... I'm sure they overheard our last conversation and
misunderstand our love for each other...."

Frederick-Christian was growing suspicious. What did this extraordinary
visit mean? Did they want to trap him into an unwary admission?

"In the name of our love, say you don't believe me guilty!"

The King hesitated.

"I don't know.... I ..."

He stopped short as Marie Pascal with a sudden movement flung down the
screen. The King in amaze stood stock still while the young girl looked
at him in utter stupefaction, with trembling lips and body shaken by
nervous tremors. Then suddenly she turned in terror, screaming:

"Help! Help! The impostor! The murderer!... the King is not the King....
Frederick-Christian has disappeared!... Who is this man?"

The girl's cries brought the Hotel servants quickly to the scene. She
continued, pointing to the King:

"Who is this man?... Frederick-Christian has disappeared!... good God,
what has happened?"

"Better call the police," suggested some one.

This met with general approval, but proceedings were suddenly
interrupted by the arrival of Wulf.

"Have you heard?" several voices asked.

"All I know," replied Wulf in a piteous tone, "is that
Frederick-Christian or not, he's got a devilish heavy foot, and when he
kicks, he kicks royally."

CHAPTER XXI

HORRIBLE CERTAINTY

"What has happened to that idiot Juve? Here for three days I've been
shut up in this beastly prison and no sign of him."

As the days passed, Fandor gradually lost his buoyancy of spirits and
became more and more anxious.

"What can Juve be doing?" he repeated for the hundredth ti