ation, Anguish enthusiastically volunteered to take the trip
with him, having had the same project in view for nearly a year.

There was nothing left for Lorry but to make a clean breast of it,
which he did shamefacedly, expecting the laughter and raillery of his
light-hearted friend as payment for his confidence. Instead, however,
Anguish, who possessed a lively and romantic nature, was charmed by the
story and proclaimed it to be the most delightful adventure that had
ever happened outside of a story-book.

"Tell me all about her," he urged, his eyes sparkling with boyish
enthusiasm. And Lorry proceeded to give him a personal description
of the mysterious beauty, introducing him, in the same manner, to
the distinguished uncle and aunt, adding all those details which had
confounded and upset him during his own investigations.

"This is rich!" exclaimed Anguish. "Beats any novel written, I declare.
Begad, old man, I don't blame you for hunting down this wonderful bit of
femininity. With a curiosity and an admiration that had been sharpened
so keenly as yours, I'd go to the end of the world myself to have them
satisfied."

"I may be able to satisfy but one--curiosity. And maybe not that. But
who knows of Graustark?"

"Don't give up before you've tried. If these people live in such a
place, why, it is to be found, of course. Any railroad guide-book can
locate this land of mystery. There are so many infernal little kingdoms
and principalities over here that it would take a lifetime to get 'em
all straightened out in one's head. To-morrow morning we will go to one
of the big railway-stations and make inquiries. We'll locate Graustark
and then we'll go over and pluck the flower that grows there. All you
need, my boy, is a manager. I'll do the arranging, and your little act
will be the plucking."

"Easier said than done."

"She threw a kiss to you, didn't she?"

"Certainly, but, confound it, that was because she never expected to see
me again."

"Same reason why you threw a kiss to her, I suppose?"

"I know why; I wasn't accountable."

"Well, if she did it any more wittingly than you did, she is
accountable, and I'd hunt her up and demand an explanation."

Lorry laughed at his apparent fervor, but was glad that he had confided
in his energetic countryman. Two heads were better than one, and he was
forced to admit to himself that he rather liked the idea of company
in the undertaking. Not that he expected to enc