ia approaching. And in it was the Spencer
woman--brilliantly beautiful--haughtily indifferent. The passers-by
stared at her; men stopped and gazed after; even women threw glances over
their shoulders. And small wonder--for, the Devil knows, she was good to
look upon.

As she came opposite me she looked up and our eyes met. I gave no
greeting, you may be sure; but she leaned forward sharply and smiled and
waved her hand. I gritted my teeth, and would have stepped back, but the
crowd, following her direction, caught sight of me and a faint cheer went
up. The men took off their hats and the women fluttered their kerchiefs.
I bowed to them and saluted with my hand.

"Damn her!" I said, not knowing I spoke audibly. Then I remembered
Bernheim; he was standing at another window.

"Colonel," said I, "did you see that woman in the Victoria?"

His heels came together with a click. "Yes, Your Highness.

"Have you heard of the occurrence in the Hanging Garden, last night?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Well, that's the lady," said I. "What do you think of her?"

He hesitated.

"Speak out," I said.

"I think it is absolutely incomprehensible how such a woman would lend
herself to Lotzen's plot," he answered, instantly.

I looked at him in vast surprise.

"So, you have guessed it," I said.

"I know Lotzen, Your Highness."

I motioned to a chair. "Sit down," I said.

Then I told him the whole story--saving only so much as concerned the
Princess individually. He was plainly pleased at my confidence--and I
learned many things from him, that afternoon, which opened my eyes
concerning some of the Court officials and Ministers.

It was exactly six o'clock when Courtney was announced. Even as he came
into the room, he drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.

"A copy of the certificate," he said.

I read it very carefully. In effect, it certified that Patrick McGuire,
an Alderman of the City of New York, had, on the twenty-first day of
December, 190--, in that City, in the presence of John Edwards of said
City, united in marriage Armand Dalberg, Major, U. S. Army, and Madeline
Spencer, widow, of Washington, D. C.; there appearing, after due inquiry
made, to be no legal impediment thereto; and the parties thereto having
proven, on oath, their identity and their legal age.

"Well, I'm not a lawyer," said I, in disgust; "but this thing sounds
pretty strong. I fancy it is about as close as I shall ev