of face. She
trotted along like an old woman, her shoulders hunched up, and
distributed nods right and left in response to the profound bows of her
courtiers.

This was not in the least as Juve had pictured her. He had seen her a
dozen years previously, when she was a young girl engaged to
Frederick-Christian; she had then appeared charming, and majestic in
bearing. Now she looked like a woman of the middle class, bourgeois from
head to heels.

Near the throne stood two officers in gala uniform, while the guard
formed a circle round the throne.

The audience began.

The first Chamberlain called out a name, and a matron, after making the
three traditional courtseys, came forward and chatted in a low voice
with the Queen. Juve was observing the ceremony with interest, when his
reflections were cut short by a voice calling:

"Monsieur le Comte de Juff!"

The detective, slightly intimidated, advanced toward the sovereign,
while the grand Chamberlain leaned over and whispered his name and rank
to the Queen.

"Monsieur le Comte de Juff," said the Queen in a little tinkling voice,
"I am very happy to meet you. I congratulate you upon your travels. I am
especially interested in the natives of Africa. We had a negro village
here a few years ago ... hadn't we, M. von Kampfen?"

"Quite true, your Majesty," replied the Chamberlain, bowing deeply. The
Queen turned again to Juve:

"I congratulate you, Monsieur, and I beg you to persevere in the work to
which your special aptitude calls you."

The interview was at an end, and Juve was left wondering whether he
should leave the room. The Chamberlain signed to him to retire behind
the throne, where he found the amiable Mme. Heberlauf.

Juve, now standing quite close to the Queen, was enabled to overhear the
next interview; with an old professor this time--Professor Muller. The
Queen said:

"I am very happy to meet you. I congratulate you upon your pupils. I am
especially interested in scholars."

Then turning to the Chamberlain:

"We have some very excellent schools here, have we not, Monsieur
Kampfen?"

"Quite true, your Majesty."

"I congratulate you. Can I beg you to persevere in the work to which
your special aptitude calls you?"

It was all Juve could do to keep from bursting into laughter.

The same speech was being made to a couple of young girls who were
making their debut at the Court, when the circle round the Queen noticed
that she was growing uneasy