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." "I'll find her," said the minister grimly. His portfolio hung in the balance. All at once the duke struck his hands together jubilantly. "What is it?" asked the minister. "A clue?" "Nothing, nothing! Be gone; you are wasting time." The minister of police dashed out of the room as if pursued by a thousand devils. He knew the duke's mood; it was not one to cross or irritate. No sooner was he gone than the duke left his apartments and sought those of his niece. It might be a joke; it would do no harm to find out positively. But the beautiful suite was empty; even her Highness' maid was gone. He then knocked on the door which led into Betty's boudoir, not very gently either. "Open!" he bellowed. "Who is it?" demanded a maid's frightened voice. "The duke! Open instantly!" "It is quite impossible," said another voice from within. It was calm and firm. "I am dressing." "I must see you this instant. Open or I shall force the door!" "Is your serene Highness mad?" "Will you open this door?" "You command it?" "A hundred times, yes!" "Since you command it." The voice was no longer calm; it was sharp and angry. The wait seemed an hour to his serene Highness, serene no longer. At length the bolt slipped, and the irate duke shouldered his way in. The tableau which met his gaze embarrassed him for a space. He was even ashamed. The Honorable Betty stood behind a tall-backed chair, an opera cloak thrown hastily over her bare shoulders. Her hair was partly down. A beautiful woman in a rage is a fascinating sight. The duke stared at her irresolutely. "Will your Highness explain this extraordinary intrusion?" she demanded. "You have literally forced your way into my room while I am dressing. It is utterly outside my understanding." "I am old enough to be your father." "That is the weakest excuse you could give me. At your age one's blood ought to be cooled to a certain discretion. My father, if he had had anything important to say, would have remained on the other side of the door. I am not deaf. Your explanation is in order." The duke had never been talked to so plainly in all his life. For a while he was without voice, but had plenty of color. "It is easily explained," he finally bawled out to her. "Her Highness has eloped!" The girl stared at him with wide eyes. "Eloped?" she breathed faintly. "Yes, eloped." Betty wondered if she heard aright, or if th
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