He nodded.

"And breakfasted with the Princess Royal," I went on.

"Alone! Be careful, my dear Major," he cautioned.

"Lady Helen Radnor was there; and the King also, for a bit," I
explained.

"Good," said he; "you are progressing famously."

"Oh, it was all accidental."

He smiled broadly.

"I went for an early morning ride; Lady Helen happened to overtake me;
we chanced upon the Princess; she asked us to breakfast; and the King
came in during the meal."

Courtney was studying the point of a paper-cutter. "Very wonderful,
indeed," he commented.

"What; the paper-cutter?" I asked, a trifle impatiently.

"No; the series of accidents."

"They are only preliminary."

"Preliminaries are often most important."

"Not here," said I. "What I want to consult you about is this: The
King has asked me to accept the titles of old Hugo, and to take my
place at Court."

Courtney laid the paper-cutter carefully on the blotter, and drawing
out his cigarette case, he selected one and slowly lit it. I knew his
way and waited patiently.

"And Lotzen--and the Crown?" he said presently.

"Do you care for the whole story?" I asked.

"Yes, let me have it all," and, settling back in his chair, he closed
his eyes and prepared to listen.

Then I told him everything of the meeting with the King in his library,
repeating, as well as I could remember, Frederick's exact language,
describing his attitude toward me and his evident desire in the matter.

"That is the situation and the problem," I ended, "and the answer is
due to-morrow, I am to dine at the Summer Palace."

Courtney sat up and began to polish his eye-glasses. "I assume you
have made no decision?" he asked presently.

"If I had," said I, "I would have gone to bed."

He nodded and kept on at the eye-glasses. At last they seemed to suit
him, and he shoved them into place and lit another cigarette.

"It seems to me," he said, at length, "the matter is wholly one of
personal inclination; with no obligation upon you to decide it upon any
other basis. Therefore, the first question is simply this: Which do
you prefer to be--an American officer and citizen or a Valerian
Archduke?"

"That is just what I don't know," said I.

"Well, would it be any easier to answer if I were to add: 'With a
chance for the Crown'?"

"That complicates it even more, I think."

He looked at me hard for a moment. I knew he was thinking of the
Princess and I shook my bead.