ake the rest for granted."

"Then," Sogrange continued, "you have probably also heard of Don Pedro,
Prince of Marsine, one-time Pretender to the throne of Spain?"

"Quite a striking figure in European politics," Peter assented, quickly.
"He is suspected of radical proclivities, and is still, it is rumoured,
an active plotter against the existing monarchy."

"Very well," Sogrange said. "Now listen carefully. Four months ago
Sirdeller was living at the Golden Villa, near Nice. He was visited more
than once by Marsine, introduced by the Count von Hern. The result of
those visits was a long series of cablegrams to certain great
engineering firms in America. Almost immediately the salvage of the
_Maine_ was started. It is a matter of common report that the entire
cost of these works is being undertaken by Sirdeller."

"Now," Peter murmured, "you are really beginning to interest me."

"This week," Sogrange went on, "it is expected that the result of the
salvage works will be made known. That is to say, it is highly possible
that the question of whether the _Maine_ was blown up from outside or
inside will be settled once and for all. This week, mind, Baron. Now see
what happens. Sirdeller returns to America. The Count von Hern and
Prince Marsine come to America. The Duchesse della Nermino comes to
America. The Duchesse, Sirdeller, and Marsine are upon this steamer. The
Count von Hern travels by the _Lusitania_ only because it was reported
that Sirdeller at the last minute changed his mind, and was travelling
by that boat. Mix these things up in your brain--the conjurer's hat, let
us call it," Sogrange concluded, laying his hand upon Peter's arm.
"Sirdeller, the Duchesse, Von Hern, Marsine, the raising of the
_Maine_--mix them up, and what sort of an omelette appears?"

Peter whistled softly.

"No wonder," he said, "that you couldn't make the pieces of the puzzle
fit. Tell me more about the Duchesse."

Sogrange considered for a moment.

"The principal thing about her which links her with the present
situation," he explained, "is that she was living in Cuba at the time of
the _Maine_ disaster, married to a rich Cuban."

The affair was suddenly illuminated by the searchlight of romance.
Peter, for the first time, saw not the light, but the possibility of it.

"Marsine has been living in Germany, has he not?" he asked.

"He is a personal friend of the Kaiser," Sogrange replied.

They both looked up and listened to th