this was followed by a lighter and
noisier sound--cavalry. Finally, there came the rumbling of heavy
metal--artillery. More than an hour passed before these varying sounds
grew indistinct.

Maurice was now fully awake. An army had passed the Red Chateau.

CHAPTER XXIII. A GAME OF POKER AND THE STAKES

The next morning Beauvais came for his answer. It was not the answer he
had expected.

"So be it," he replied. "Your government had better appoint your
successor at once. Good morning."

"You will die suddenly some day," said Maurice.

Beauvais shrugged, and departed.

It was a dreary long day for the prisoner, who saw no one but his
jailers. He wondered what time they would start for Brunnstadt. He had
never seen Brunnstadt. He hoped the city would interest him. Was he to
be disposed of on the road? No, that would scarcely be; there were too
many witnesses. In the city prison, then; that was possible. The outlook
was not rose-colored. He set to work to challenge each of his jailers,
but this did not serve. At five o'clock the bluff old Colonel Mollendorf
came in. He dismissed the troopers, who were glad enough to be relieved.

"I'll be responsible for the prisoner from now on," he said. As soon
as he and Maurice were alone he propped his chin and contemplated the
sullen face of the prisoner. "Well, my son, I am positive that you have
been accused somewhat hastily, but that's the way women have, jumping
at conclusions before they read the preface. But you must give Madame
credit for being honest in the matter, as well as the others. Beauvais
is positive that the move of the archbishop is due to your selling out
to him. Come, tell me the story. If you wish, I'll promise not to repeat
it. Madame is determined to lock you up in any event."

There was something so likable about the old warrior that Maurice
relented.

"There was nothing in the gun-barrels," he said. "Some one had entered
that room before me. I thought at first that Beauvais had them; but he
is the last man in the world to dispose of them to the prelate. But
has the archbishop got them? I wish I knew. That's all there is to the
story."

"And her Royal Highness's dog?" slyly.

"What! Did you hear about that?" Maurice flushed.

"There is little going on in Bleiberg that we don't hear about. The
princess is charming. Poor girl!"

"Madame's victory will have a strange odor. Can she not let the king die
in peace?"

"My son, she dares not. I