have let such a chance slip through my fingers!"
he cried angrily.

"To what do you refer?" I inquired.

"I saw Rodriguez in the crowd outside the Prince of Lilienhoehe's gates
this morning," he answered. "Unfortunately, however, he also saw me.
Only a dozen paces or so separated us, but, try how I would I could not
get near him. I searched the crowd through and through, but he had
managed to give me the slip. I've been hunting the city for him ever
since, but not another sign or trace of him can I discover. What I fear
is, that, as he must be aware that I recognised him, he may derive the
impression that the game is up, and then they will take to flight.
However, with your Majesty's permission, I will go out again to-night
and see if I can run across him."

I readily gave that permission, and then bade him go to his room and
rest, for the poor fellow looked worn out. He promised to do so, and
withdrew. When he had gone I crossed to my writing-table, and sat down
before it. The letter which had been thrown into the carriage that
morning lay before me.

Scarcely conscious of what I was doing I opened it. On the paper I drew
from the envelope were about five lines of writing, which read as
follows:

"If it is desired to find that which is lost, hasten to the Buchengasse;
enter the fifth house on the right-hand side, and proceed up the stairs
to the room on the top floor, overlooking the street, and there will be
found that for which you are seeking."

That was all. But the effect it produced upon me I must leave you to
imagine. I rang my bell violently.

"Request Herr Bertram to come to me immediately," I said to the servant
who appeared in answer to it. Then, when the door had been closed behind
the man, I read the message again. Was it a hoax? or was it an attempt
to draw us into a trap? Whichever it might be, I was determined to see
the matter through. A few minutes later, for he had not had time to
retire to rest, Bertram put in an appearance. His quick eye saw that
something unusual had happened.

"What is it, your Majesty?" he inquired. "I can see that you have had
some news."

"Read that," I said, handing him the letter.

He took it, and did as I commanded.

"Thank God!" I heard him mutter when he had carefully perused the
contents of the note.

"What do you think of it?" I inquired. "Can it be true?"

"Let us hope so," he replied. "At any rate, it would be as well for me
to go to the house and m