When Bellamy with a shrug of the
shoulders answered the summons, three men in plain clothes entered.
They saluted Bellamy, but their eyes were traveling around the room.

"We are seeking Herr Dorward, the American journalist!" one exclaimed.
"He was here but a moment ago."

Bellamy pointed to the inner door. He had had too much experience
in such matters to attempt any prevarication. The three men crossed
the room quickly and Bellamy followed in the rear. He heard a cry
of disappointment from the foremost as he opened the door. The inner
room was empty!

CHAPTER III

"OURS IS A STRANGE COURTSHIP"

Louise looked up eagerly as he entered.

"There is news!" she exclaimed. "I can see it in your face."

"Yes," Bellamy answered, "there is news! That is why I have come.
Where can we talk?"

She rose to her feet. Before them the open French windows led on
to a smooth green lawn. She took his arm.

"Come outside with me," she said. "I am shut up here because I
will not see the doctors whom they send, or any one from the Opera
House. An envoy from the Palace has been and I have sent him away."

"You mean to keep your word, then?"

"Have I ever broken it? Never again will I sing in this City. It
is so."

Bellamy looked around. The garden of the villa was enclosed by
high gray stone walls. They were secure here, at least, from
eavesdroppers. She rested her fingers lightly upon his arm, holding
up the skirts of her loose gown with her other hand.

"I have spoken to you," he said, "of Dorward, the American journalist."

She nodded.

"Of course," she assented. "You told me that the Chancellor had
promised him an interview for to-day."

"Well, he went to the Palace and the Chancellor saw him.".

She looked at him with upraised eyebrows.

"The newspapers are full of lies as usual, then, I suppose. The
latest telegrams say that the Chancellor is dangerously ill."

"It is quite true," Bellamy declared. "What I am going to tell you
is surprising, but I had it from Dorward himself. When he reached
the Palace, the Chancellor was practically insane. His doctors were
trying to persuade him to go to his room and lie down, but he heard
Dorward's voice and insisted upon seeing him. The man was mad--on
the verge of a collapse--and he handed over to Dorward his notes,
and a verbatim report of all that passed at the Palace this morning."

She looked at him incredulously.

"My dear David!" sh