is explorations. Among these people Juve
picked out the Princesse de Krauss, a stout woman with exaggerated
blonde hair and red spots on her face, barely disguised under a thick
layer of powder. She seemed to be ready for a more personal conversation
which Juve insensibly brought to bear upon the royal couple.

"Will His Majesty the King be present at the Queen's reception to-day?"

The Princess looked at Juve in amazement, and then burst out laughing.

"It is easy to see you have just arrived from the middle of Africa, or
you would know that His Majesty the King is in Paris.... Surely you must
know that, since you tell me that you came through Paris on your way
here."

The Duchess de Rutisheimer, a rather pretty and distinguished looking
woman, drew the detective apart and whispered behind her fan:

"Our King is a gay bird, Count, and we know very well why he goes to
Paris."

The Duchess spoke with such an air of annoyance that Juve could hardly
prevent a smile.

"One might criticise His Majesty for going so far away to seek what was
so close to hand."

"Ah, indeed, you are right," the Princess sighed, "there must be
something about these Parisian women. ... I heard that the dressmakers
of the Rue de la Paix are going to bring out some Spring models which
are so indecent ..."

M. Erick von Kampfen, the chamberlain, entered the room at this moment
and announced:

"Ladies and gentlemen, kindly pass into the gallery. Her Majesty the
Queen will be ready to receive you in a moment."

Behind him came the little Duc Rudolphe, who was informing some of his
friends as though it were a fine piece of scandal:

"The Grand Duchess Alexandra hasn't come yet ... and they are wondering
if she will come."

CHAPTER XIV

QUEEN HEDWIGE RECEIVES

Obedient to the Grand Chamberlain's invitation, the assembled guests
passed into the great gallery at the end of which an immense salon was
seen, still empty; it was the room in which the Queen held her
drawing-room.

It was sparsely furnished; a large gilded armchair, which was really a
throne, stood at the farther end between two windows; the floor was
waxed until it shone, and the surface was so slippery that Juve felt
some fear of mishaps.

First came the guard with a clatter of sabres, then two heralds, and
finally Her Majesty Hedwige, Queen of Hesse-Weimar, who proceeded to the
throne and sat down.

She was a little body with a pinched and nervous expression