rt took their leave of
their entertainers and set out through the wood. They had not gone a
hundred yards before a splendid yelling informed them that the
strenuous life had again begun.

Miss Lambart had supposed that they would return straight to Muttle
Deeping Grange with the news of their great discovery. But she found
that Sir Maurice had formed other plans. They were both agreed that no
consideration was owing to the billowy archduke. His manners deprived
him of any right to it. Accordingly, he took her to Little Deeping
post-office, and with many appeals to her for suggestions and help
wrote two long telegrams. The first was to the editor of the Morning
Post, the second was to the prime minister. In both he set forth his
discovery of the princess happily encamped with young friends in a
wood, and her reasons for running away to them. The postmistress
despatched them as he wrote them, that they might reach London and ease
the international situation at once. Since both the editor and the
prime minister were on friendly and familiar terms with him, there was
no fear that the telegrams would fail of their effect.

Then he took Miss Lambart to Colet House, to make the acquaintance of
Mrs. Dangerfield, and to inform her how nearly the Twins had plunged
Europe into Armageddon. Mrs. Dangerfield received the news with
unruffled calm. She showed no surprise at all; she only said that she
had found it very strange that a princess should vanish at Muttle
Deeping and the Twins have no hand in it. She perceived at once that
the princess had quite prevented any disclosure by assuming the name of
Lady Rowington.

Miss Lambart found her very charming and attractive, and was in no
haste to leave such pleasant companionship for the dull and unpleasant
atmosphere of Muttle Deeping Grange. It was past seven therefore when
the Little Deeping fly brought her to it; and she went to the archduke
with her news.

She found him in the condition of nervous excitement into which he
always fell before meals, too excited, indeed, to listen to her with
sufficient attention to understand her at the first telling of her
news. He was some time understanding it, and longer believing it. It
annoyed him greatly. He was taking considerable pleasure in standing
on a pedestal before the eyes of Europe as the bereaved Hohenzollern
sire. His first, and accurate, feeling was that Europe would laugh
consumedly when it learned the truth