e Prince of Malors meddling with my
private papers, and subsequently I interrupted him in the offer of a
bribe."

The Prince smoothed his necktie, which he had really tied very well,
complacently.

"The personal belongings of Mr. Ducaine," he said calmly, "are without
interest to me. I fancy that the Prince of Malors can ignore any
suggestions to the contrary. As for the bribe, Mr. Ducaine talks
folly. I am not aware that he has anything to sell, and I decline to
believe him a blackmailer. I prefer to look upon him as a singularly
hot-headed and not over-intelligent person, who takes very long jumps at
conclusions. Lady Angela, I find my foot much better. May I have the
pleasure of escorting you to the house?"

I held my tongue, knowing very well that the Prince played his part
solely that I might be entrapped into speech. But Lady Angela seemed
puzzled at my silence. She looked at me for a moment inquiringly out of
her soft dark eyes. I made no sign. She turned away to the Prince.

"If you are sure that you can walk without pain," she said. "We will
not trouble you, Mr. Ducaine," she added, as I moved to open the door.

So they left me alone, and I was not sure whether the honours remained
with him or with me. He had never for a moment lost his dignity, nor
had he even looked ridiculous when calmly rearranging his tie and
collar. I laughed to myself bitterly as I prepared to follow them. I
was determined to lay the whole matter before the Duke at once.

As I reached the terrace I saw a man walking up and down, smoking a
pipe. He stood at the top of the steps and waited for me. It was
Colonel Ray. He took me by the arm.

"I have been waiting for you, Ducaine," he said. "I was afraid that I
might miss you, or I should have come down."

"I am on my way to the Duke," I said, "and my business is urgent."

"So is mine," he said grimly. "I want to know exactly what has passed
between you and the Prince of Malors."

"I am not at all sure, Colonel Ray," I answered, "that I am at liberty
to tell you. At any rate, I think that I ought to see the Duke first."

His face darkened, his eyes seemed to flash threatening fires upon me.
He was smoking so furiously that little hot shreds of tobacco fell from
his pipe.

"Boy," he exclaimed, "there are limits even to my forbearance. You are
where you are at my suggestion, and I could as easily send you adrift.
I do not say this as a threat, but I desire to be treated with comm