confidently.

"It rests with my pleasure alone."

"Pardon me if I contradict your Highness. I returned here incidentally
as a representative of the British ambassador in Vienna; I volunteered
this office at the request of my own minister."

A shade of consternation came into the faces of his audience.

"If nothing is heard of me within two days, an investigation will ensue.
It is very droll, but I am here to inquire into the whereabouts of one
Lord Fitzgerald, who has disappeared. Telegrams to the four ends of
the world have brought no news of his present residence. The archbishop
instituted the latter inquiries, because it was urgent and necessary he
should know."

Fitzgerald became enveloped in gloom.

"And your credentials, Monsieur?" said the duchess. "You have them, I
presume?"

"I came as a private gentleman; a telegram to my minister in Vienna will
bring indorsement."

"Ah! Then you shall be locked up. I can not accord you recognition;
without the essential representations, I see nothing in you but
an impertinent meddler. To-morrow evening you shall be conveyed to
Brunnstadt, where you will reside for some time, I can assure you.
Perhaps on your head will rest the blood of many gallant gentlemen; for
within another twenty-four hours I shall declare war against Leopold.
This will be the consequence of your disloyalty to your word." And she
moved toward the door, the others imitating her. Fitzgerald, more than
any one else, desired to get away.

And one by one they vanished. Once the countess turned and threw
Maurice a glance which mystified him; it was half curtained with tears.
Presently he was alone. His eye grasped every object. There was not a
weapon in sight; only the bayonets on the table, and he could scarcely
hope to escape by use of one of these. A carafe of water stood on the
table. He went to it and half emptied it. His back was toward the door.
Suddenly it opened. He wheeled, expecting to see the troopers. His
surprise was great. Beauvais was leaning against the door, a half
humorous smile on his lips. The tableau lasted several minutes.

"Well," said Beauvais, "you do not seem very glad to see me."

Maurice remained silent, and continued to gaze at his enemy over the
tops of the upturned bayonets.

"You are, as I said before, a very young man."

"I killed a puppet of yours last night," replied Maurice, with a
peculiar grimness.

"Eh? So it was you? However, Kopf knew too much; he is