e
matter should be strictly confidential. I judged that your Majesty had
meant to take the Orient Express, but had missed it; and as you
telephoned from the station I had no doubt that you intended to
follow, either by the next train or by a special. Soon, I learned that
no special had been ordered by any one. I ascertained the time of the
next train, and sought your Majesty in it. Had my eloquence then
prevailed with you, I should have urged your return with me, and thus
you would have been spared the useless journey to Felgarde. As you
remained obstinately faithful, however, I considered myself fortunate
to have you out of the way, so that I could hurry back, and,
unhampered by your suspicions, set about learning still more facts to
Miss Mowbray's discredit, or inventing a few if those which
undoubtedly existed could not be unearthed in time."

Supposing that Count von Breitstein's boasted frankness had led him to
make these statements, it is probable that Rhaetia would not long have
rejoiced in a Chancellor so wise and so self-sacrificing.

It was well enough for the old man to declare his willingness to
retire, if his master desired it; but he had counted (as people who
risk all for great ends do count) on not being taken at his word. He
loved power, because he had always had it, and without power life
would not be worth the living; but it was honestly for the country's
sake, and for Leopold's sake, rather than his own, that he desired
to hold and keep his high position. Without his strong hand to seize
the helm, should Leopold's fail for some careless instant, he
conscientiously believed that the ship of state would be lost.

He had done his best to disillusion a young man tricked into love for
an adventuress. Now, neither as Chancellor nor friend could he make
further open protest, unless favored by fate with some striking new
development. There were, nevertheless, other ways of working; and he
had but taken the first step toward interference. He meant, since
worst had come to worst, to go on relentlessly; and he would hardly
have considered it criminal to destroy a woman of the type to which he
assigned Helen Mowbray, provided no means less stringent sufficed to
snatch her from the throne of Rhaetia.

There were many plans seething in the Chancellor's head, and Egon's
help might be necessary. He might even have to go so far as to bribe
Egon to kidnap the girl and sacrifice himself by marrying her out of
hand