se wandering about
the Frohngarten, but no sign of Johann. He's got it, though, square in
the back."

"I'm sure of it," said Maurice, who leaned over the back of the
speaker's chair.

The Captain eyed him inquiringly.

"Pardon me," said Scharfenstein. "Captain, Monsieur Carewe, an American
tourist, formerly of the United States cavalry. And a pretty shot, too,
by the book! It would have gone badly with us but for him."

"My thanks," said the Captain, with a jerky nod. "Max, come, give me the
whole story."

And Scharfenstein dropped into a chair and recounted in picturesque
diction the adventure; how they had remained by the royal carriage till
the nurse, recovering from her faint, had rushed out and told them of
the abduction; and the long race on the south shore. While he listened
the Captain smoked thoughtfully; and when the story was done, he rose
and wagged his head.

"Call it revenge," he said, "if it strikes you in that light. Monsieur
Carewe, what is your opinion?"

"It occurs to me," answered Maurice, rubbing the scratch the late
Colonel's sword had left on his chin, "it occurs to me that the man
played his hand a few days too late."

"Which is to say?"

"Well, I do not call it revenge," Maurice admitted, unwilling to venture
any theory.

"No more do I;" and the Captain began drumming on the mantel. "What say,
Max; how would the illustrious Colonel look with the shadow of a crown
on his head? He comes from Austria, who, to my thinking, is cognizant of
all he does and has done."

The answer was not spoken. The door, leading to the main palace through
the kitchens, opened, and the Marshal, the princess, and the maid of
honor came down the steps. The Captain, Max and the surgeon stood at
salute. Maurice, however, drew back into the shadows at the side of
the grate. The old soldier gazed down at the pale face of the young
Lieutenant, and smiled kindly.

"Even the best of soldiers make mistakes," he said; "even the best. No,"
as von Mitter made an attempt to speak. "I've heard all about it, and
from a most reliable source," nodding toward the anxious maid of
honor. "Colonel," he addressed the Captain, whose eyes started at this
appellation, "Colonel, you will report to me in the morning to assume
your new duties. You have been a faithful Captain and a good soldier. I
know your value, your name and your antecedents, which till now was more
than I knew of your late predecessor. Von Mitter will take upo