ed."

"Go ahead, my dear, don't let me keep you."

Marie Pascal had reached the stairs when she turned back.

"Oh, Madame Ceiron, when can I thank the Marquis de Serac for his
kindness in introducing me to Frederick-Christian?"

"No hurry, my child, the Marquis has gone to the country to spend the
New Year's day with his relations and he won't be back before next
week."

Marie Pascal climbed the stairs to her room on the sixth floor and the
concierge returned to her quarters and settled herself in an armchair.

CHAPTER III

THE TRAGEDY OF THE RUE DE MONCEAU

Susy d'Orsel, tired of waiting for her royal lover, was sound asleep
before the fire in her bedroom. Suddenly she was awakened by a loud
noise. Still half asleep, she sat up listening. The sounds came from the
stairs. Mechanically Susy glanced at the clock, which marked the quarter
after three.

"I'll bet it's him, but how late he is!"

As the sounds drew nearer, she added:

"He must be as drunk as a lord! After all, Kings are no better than
other men."

She quickly passed to the outer door and listened.

"Why, it sounds as if there were two of them!"

A key fumbled in the lock, then the owner of it apparently gave up the
task as hopeless and began ringing the bell.

Susy opened the door and Frederick-Christian staggered in followed by a
man who was a total stranger to her.

The latter, bowing in a correct and respectful manner, carried himself
with dignity.

The King bubbled over with laughter and leaned on the shoulder of his
lady-love.

"Take off your overcoat," she said, at length, and while he was
attempting to obey her, she whispered:

"If your Maj ..."

Before she could finish the sentence the King put his hand over her
mouth.

"My ... my ... my dear Susy ... I'm very fond of you ... but don't begin
by saying stupid things.... I am here ... incog ... incognito. Call me
your little Cri-Cri, Susy...."

"My dear," she replied, "introduce me to your friend."

"Eh," cried the King, "if I'm not forgetting the most elementary
obligations of the protocol; but after fourteen whiskeys, and good
whiskey, too, though I've better here.... Susy don't drink any, she
prefers gooseberry syrup ... queer taste, isn't it?"

Susy saw the conversation was getting away from the point, so repeated
her request:

"Introduce me to your friend."

Frederick-Christian glanced at his companion and then burst out
laughing:

"What is your name,