and painted for the show, before
nine. I suppose you can introduce the leading man by that time or a
little later?"

The bristling brows drew together involuntarily. Count von Breitstein
was working without scruple against the Emperor, for the Emperor's
good; yet he winced at his accomplice's light jest, and it was by an
effort that he kept a note of disapproval out of his voice.

"Unless I much mistake, his Majesty will order a special train, as
soon as he has had my message," said he. "That and everything else
falling as I confidently expect, I shall be able to bring him out to
your Royal Highness's hunting lodge a little after nine."

"You'll find us at the third course," prophesied the Prince.

"Naturally, the Emperor's appearance will startle your visitor," went
on the Chancellor, keenly watching the young man's extraordinarily
handsome face. "She would not dare take the risk and drive out with
you, great as the temptation would no doubt be, did she dream that he
would learn of the escapade, and follow. Indeed, your Royal Highness
must have found subtile weapons ready to your hand, that you so soon
broke through the armor of her prudence. I expected much from your
magnetism and resourceful wit, yet I hardly dared hope for such
speedy, such unqualified success as this which now seems assured to
us."

"My weapons were sharpened on my past acquaintance with the pretty
lady," explained the Prince. "Otherwise the result might have been
postponed for as many days as I have delayed moments, though at last,
the end might have been the same."

"Not for Rhaetia. Every instant counts. Thanks to you, we shall win;
for actress as this girl is, she'll find it a task beyond her powers
to justify to a jealous man this evening's tete-a-tete with you."

"If she tests those powers in our presence, we can be audience and
admire her histrionic talents," said the Prince, pleasantly, though
with some faint, growing sign of constraint or perhaps impatience.
"There's no doubt in my mind, whatever may be the lady's conception of
her part, about the final tableau. And after all, it's with that alone
you concern yourself--eh, Chancellor?"

"It's that alone," echoed the old man.

"Then you would like to go and await the message. There's nothing more
for us to arrange. _Au revoir_, Chancellor, till nine."

"Till nine."

"When the curtain for the last act will ring up."

The Prince held out his hand. Count von Breitstein grasped