to wait until she sent for him.

"I knew that the best means of concealing her would be to play upon the
likeness between us, and never go out together. For extra precaution,
when either of us went out, a veil was worn. She was taken for Ruth
Atheson; and Ruth Atheson, by your detectives, was taken for the Grand
Duchess Carlotta. Indeed," and here Ruth smiled, "she was very much
taken--in an auto, and as far as Washington. You propose now to take
her still farther. The Grand Duchess would know, ten minutes after it
happened, of my abduction, and she would guess who was responsible. So
you may be certain that she is no longer at Sihasset. The picture you
have, Your Excellency, is the picture of the Grand Duchess, not of me.
It happened that, as I was walking outside the gates of my home, your
friends appeared. The mistake was quite natural."

The Minister had listened respectfully while Ruth spoke, but he was not
convinced.

"It would be discourteous in me, Highness," he said, "to doubt your
word. But it would be worse than discourteous were I to accept it. I
am sorry; but you must offer me more than statements. My men could
scarcely have been deceived. They followed you each time you came out.
Two people do not look so much alike--especially outside of families--"

His Excellency's eyes opened as he flashed a keen look at Ruth. The
name "Atheson" had suddenly commenced to bother him. What was it he
should have remembered--and couldn't? The intentness of his gaze
disconcerted Ruth. The Minister changed it to look down at his
thrumming fingers, and continued in his suavest tones, following that
scarcely perceptible pause.

"--as to deceive men trained in the art of spying. I can only repeat
what I have already said: there are two courses open, and it is for you
to determine which you prefer."

"You may be sure, then, Your Excellency," said Ruth, "that I shall not
select the course that would put me in a false light before all the
world. I am not the Grand Duchess Carlotta, and I must refuse to be
taken for her. My uncle will not be long in deciding who is
responsible for my abduction, and I can assure you that you will have
explanations to make before your warship arrives."

The Minister arose promptly as Ruth stood up, her hand resting lightly
on the desk.

"I am tired, Your Excellency," she continued, "and--since you insist on
my being the guest of your government--I will ask to be conducted