her
popularity to secure you on the Throne. You see, all roads lead to the
Throne."

"All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels," I observed.

He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.

"Just so, cousin, just so," he said.

"And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?" I asked.

For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regretted
the word. Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their face
value.

"Morals have nothing to do with a King," he laughed; "nor with the
subject under consideration."

"Apropos of the latter," said I, "I suppose I am very stupid, but I
don't quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, you
offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer."

"Pure selfishness, cousin. I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself."

"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.

He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.

"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going. Will you condescend to
answer?"

I arose.

"You won't? Well, it's not really necessary--but, have you a dice box
handy?"

"I have not."

"A pack of cards, then?"

"No."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Take my advice and get them--you are far,
very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine. However, this will serve,
though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang it
on the table. "You were an American officer and, I understand, they
are as game a lot of men as wear swords. Will you bear that out and
try a toss with me?"

"And the wager?" I asked.

He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a
crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.

"Two tosses and two wagers. The first, for the Princess; the second,
for the Crown."

I waited a moment until I could control my voice.

"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "to
toss you--not with yonder coin but out of yonder window. I fancy a
second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with
as much pleasure as the first."

Lotzen's face got crimson; then, gradually paled--like red-hot iron
passing to a white heat. He let the chair fall slowly into place; and
so easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.

So, for a space, we stood at gaze. Then he spoke; and I marvelled at
the continued calmness of his voice.

"You are my superior o