otes. Before I was aware of his intention,
he swung one end of it in so deft a manner that it struck me squarely
between the eyes. With a crash of glass he disappeared through the
window. The blow dazed me only for a moment, and I was hot to be on
his tracks. The Honorable Betty stopped me.

"He may shoot you!" she cried. "Don't go!"

Although half through the window, I crawled back, brushing my sleeves.
Something warm trickled down my nose.

"You have been cut!" exclaimed her Highness.

"It is nothing. I beg of you to let me follow. It will be all over
with that fellow at large."

"Not at all." Her Highness' eyes sparkled wickedly. "He will make for
the nearest frontier. He knows now that I shall not hesitate a moment
to put his affairs in the hands of the police."

"He will boast of what he has done."

"Not till he has spent those thousand crowns." She crossed the room
and knelt at the side of Leopold, dashing some water into his face.
Presently he opened his eyes. "He is only stunned. Poor Leopold!"

I helped the old man to his feet, and he rubbed the back of his head
grimly. He drew a revolver from his pocket.

"I had forgotten all about it," he said contritely. "Shall I follow
him, your Highness?"

"Let him go. It doesn't matter now. Betty, you were right, as you
always are. I have played the part of a silly fool. I _would_ have my
own way in the matter. Well, I have this worthless paper. At least I
can frighten the duke, and that is something."

"Oh, my dear, if only you would have listened to my advice!" the other
girl said. There was deep discouragement in her tones. "I warned you
so often that it would come to this end."

"Let us drop the matter entirely," said her Highness.

I gazed admiringly at her--to see her sink suddenly into a chair and
weep abandonedly! Leopold eyed her mournfully, while the English girl
rushed to her side and flung her arms around her soothingly.

"I am very unhappy," said the princess, lifting her head and shaking
the tears from her eyes. "I am harassed on all sides; I am not allowed
any will of my own. I wish I were a peasant!--Thank you, thank you!
But for you that wretch would have kissed me." She held out her hand
to me, and I bent to one knee as I kissed it. She was worthy to be the
wife of the finest fellow in all the world. I was very sorry for her,
and thought many uncomplimentary things of the duke.

"I shall not ask you to forge