unately it is usually impossible to consider questions of
personal character when a royal match is concerned.'

'Then, if for any reason the marriage of Princess Anna with your nephew
was frustrated, the King of Bosnia would have a fair chance in that
quarter?'

'He would. The political aspect of things would be perfectly
satisfactory.'

'Thanks!' said Racksole. 'I will wager another hundred thousand dollars
that someone in Bosnia--I don't accuse the King himself--is at the
bottom of this business. The methods of Balkan politicians have always
been half-Oriental. Let us go.'

'Where?'

'To this precious house of Nella's adventure.'

'But surely it is too early?'

'So it is,' said Racksole, 'and we shall want a few things, too.
For instance, a dark lantern. I think I will go out and forage for a
lantern.'

'And a revolver?' suggested Prince Aribert.

'Does it mean revolvers?' The millionaire laughed. 'It may come to
that.' 'Here you are, then, my friend,' said Racksole, and he pulled one
out of his hip pocket. 'And yours?'

'I,' said the Prince, 'I have your daughter's.'

'The deuce you have!' murmured Racksole to himself.

It was then half past nine. They decided that it would be impolitic to
begin their operations till after midnight. There were three hours to
spare.

'Let us go and see the gambling,' Racksole suggested. 'We might
encounter the Berlin lady.'

The suggestion, in the first instance, was not made seriously, but it
appeared to both men that they might do worse than spend the intervening
time in the gorgeous saloon of the Kursaal, where, in the season,
as much money is won and lost as at Monte Carlo. It was striking ten
o'clock as they entered the rooms. There was a large company present--a
company which included some of the most notorious persons in Europe. In
that multifarious assemblage all were equal. The electric light shone
coldly and impartially on the just and on the unjust, on the fool and
the knave, on the European and the Asiatic. As usual, women monopolized
the best places at the tables.

The scene was familiar enough to Prince Aribert, who had witnessed it
frequently at Monaco, but Theodore Racksole had never before entered
any European gaming palace; he had only the haziest idea of the rules of
play, and he was at once interested. For some time they watched the play
at the table which happened to be nearest to them. Racksole never moved
his lips.

With his eyes glued on