Queen, and stepping aside he turned off
the lights.

"There is no such thing as unnecessary economy, is there, cousin?" he
murmured with a smile.

Hedwige blushed and gave him a furious look. She then proffered the
tardy invitation to sit by her side. As the audience came to a close,
the Queen in a loud voice announced:

"I wish to inform you that I have received news of the King. His Majesty
is well and is in Paris. He will return very soon."

The Queen's guard now led the way back to the private apartments,
followed by the maids of honor, and then the Queen herself hurried off
as though glad to be finished with the whole affair.

Juve, an attentive listener to the numberless intrigues on foot on every
side, divined the comedies and tragedies which underlay this little
Court, more gossipy and vulgar than a servant's parlor. Especially he
noted the frequent and bitter allusions to the perpetual trips of the
King to Paris. These cost the royal treasury a pretty penny, and for the
twentieth time Juve heard references to a certain red diamond belonging
to Frederick-Christian. He had known for a long time that such a diamond
was numbered among the crown jewels, and that it was supposed to
represent a value of several millions, but he had imagined it was kept
in a place of safety. Now he learned that the King was suspected of
having pawned it to raise money. With his most innocent air, he
questioned one of the officers.

"I should think it a very simple matter to find out whether the King
took the diamond with him. It must surely be in the keeping of loyal and
tried officials."

The officer smiled:

"My dear Count, it is easily seen that you come from the depths of
Africa. Otherwise you would know that the diamond is hidden in the
private apartments of the King--nobody knows where, not even the Queen.
You may easily divine the uneasiness of the people and the advantage the
affair gives to Prince Gudulfin."

Juve now felt that the King was still in Paris. The problem thus far had
become clearer. But under what conditions was he living? It was quite
possible that he had been kidnapped by some person who knew of the
diamond's existence.

While pondering these matters, Juve had unconsciously wandered away from
the salon and now found himself in the ante-room on the ground floor.
Here he came face to face with Mme. Heberlauf, who was accompanied by a
white-haired old man whom she at once introduced.

"Count de Juff