doorway. But when they had once left the hotel they drove fast.

In less than half an hour Paris was behind them. They were traveling in
a royal saloon and at a fabuulous cost, for in France they are not fond
of special trains. But Mr. Sabin was very happy. At least he had escaped
an ignominious defeat. It was left to him to play the great card.

"And now," Lucille said, coming out from her little bed-chamber which
the femme de chambre was busy preparing, "suppose you tell me where we
are going."

Mr. Sabin smiled.

"Do not be alarmed," he said, "even though it will sound to you the
least likely place in the world. We are going to Berlin."

CHAPTER XLIII

The great room was dimly enough lit, for the windows looking out upon
the street were high and heavily curtained, The man who sat at the desk
was almost in the shadow. Yet every now and then a shaft of sunlight
fell across his pale, worn face. A strange combination this of the
worker, the idealist, the man of affairs. From outside came the hum of
a great city. At times, too, there came to his ears as he sat here the
roar of nations at strife, the fierce underneath battle of the great
countries of the world struggling for supremacy. And here at this
cabinet this man sat often, and listened, strenuous, romantic, with
the heart of a lion and the lofty imagination of an eagle, he steered
unswervingly on to her destiny a great people. Others might rest, but
never he.

He looked up from the letter spread out before him. Lucille was seated
at his command, a few yards away. Mr. Sabin stood respectfully before
him.

"Monsieur le Duc," he said, "this letter, penned by my illustrious
father to you, is sufficient to secure my good offices. In what manner
can I serve you?"

"Your Majesty," Mr. Sabin answered, "in the first place by receiving me
here. In the second by allowing me to lay before you certain grave and
very serious charges against the Order of the Yellow Crayon, of which
your Majesty is the titular head."

"The Order of the Yellow Crayon," the Emperor said thoughtfully,
"is society composed of aristocrats pledged to resist the march of
socialism. It is true that I am the titular head of this organisation.
What have you to say about it?"

"Only that your Majesty has been wholly deceived," Mr. Sabin said
respectfully, "concerning the methods and the working of this society.
Its inception and inauguration were above reproach. I myself at once
became a