."

"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