now that, Sire ... you are brave.... I want your diamond."

"My diamond!"

"Exactly. I am quite aware, Frederick-Christian, that your personal
fortune is represented by a diamond of marvelous purity and size. I also
know that it is hidden in your Palace. You, alone, know where. I want
you to disclose its hiding place to me so that I may go and get it."

"Never! I'm not a coward!"

"You are stupid, Sire. I repeat, once in possession of the diamond, I
will set you at liberty."

"Lies!"

"Sire, consider a moment. It would be practically impossible for me to
realize anything like the value of the diamond. To sell it I should be
obliged to break it into small pieces, and in that case it would
scarcely fetch more than twenty millions. Now, I have a better
suggestion to offer."

"What is it?"

"You are to give me directions how to find it. Once in my possession,
you are free. You will then draw the sum of fifty millions from your
bank. As King that will be quite possible. This money you will turn over
to me in exchange for your diamond. And don't think you will be able to
catch me. I shall take care that the exchange is made without witnesses,
and in such a way that I run no risk of arrest. Now, what do you say to
my proposition?"

"I refuse."

"Very well, then in two hours you will be dead. I pledge my word for
it.... And my word has some value. Perhaps you guess who I am."

"Who? Who?"

"I am Fantomas, Sire."

At this name of horror and crime, Frederick-Christian was seized with
the utmost terror. In a broken voice he replied:

"I accept."

And then in trembling, disjointed sentences, he gave up the secret of
the hiding place in his Palace at Glotzbourg.

CHAPTER XVI

THE THEFT OF THE DIAMOND

Queen Hedwige had had a serious and legitimate reason for bringing her
reception to an abrupt conclusion. A Court ball for the high
functionaries and dignities of the Kingdom was to take place that
evening.

Furthermore, the Queen was very much exercised over the rumor that the
Grand Duchess Alexandra was to be present. This woman, still young and
very beautiful, played an important role in the small world of the
Palace. It was said by the gossips that she accepted the attentions of
Prince Gudulfin, in the hope that some day she might share the throne of
Hesse-Weimar with him. For many years she had been a great traveler but
in recent times she had spent more and more of her time in Glotzbourg,
where