ing was drawn to a woman, who,
equally clever, seemed to be amusing herself with copying his
evolutions. The figure of this woman seemed not unfamiliar to him, and
he finally set himself to follow her, increasing his speed, until the
two brought up face to face. Involuntarily a name escaped his lips:

"The Grand Duchess Alexandra! You here, Madame!"

He could not forget that this woman, with all her seductive charm, was
actually a redoubtable adversary of his dynasty. The pseudo Grand
Duchess, however, manoeuvred skilfully, affecting such a timid and
embarrassed air that by degrees the King's severity melted under her
charm. She seemed a little tired and out of breath from the chase, and
when she glanced round in search of support, he could scarcely do less
as a gallant man than offer her his arm.

Profiting by this chance, the adventuress adroitly whispered her regrets
at the unjust scandal and calumny which had coupled her name with that
of Prince Gudulfin.

"Sire," she finally murmured, "give me the opportunity of proving my
devotion."

The two, separated from the others, slowly skated away together.
Suddenly the King stopped short; he realized he had listened with close
attention to the confidences of the troubling person he still took for
the Grand Duchess.

What had she been saying to him?

* * * * *

A few minutes later Frederick-Christian, deciding it was time to return
to his Hotel, skated toward the bank. The Grand Duchess made a deep
curtsey and ended her conversation with these words:

"Sire, may I beg your forgiveness for one of your subordinates?"

"It is granted, Madame ... if what you tell me comes true...."

"Your Majesty will permit me to be present at the Gare du Nord when you
leave this evening."

* * * * *

A taxi arrived at the lake. Juve sprang out of it.

The detective bit his lip and swore upon seeing a superb limousine in
which he saw seated Frederick-Christian and the Marquis de Serac.

"Too late again!" he muttered. "I miss Lady Beltham at the America
Hotel; I miss the King at the skating. At least, let me make sure that
the so-called Grand Duchess is still here."

A thorough search on the ice and among the crowd on shore failed to
discover the lady, who had doubtless left at the same time as the King.
While skating from group to group Juve was brought up by a conversation
in low tones between M. Annion and M. L