Princess Maritza

ss Maritza. The Ambassador at once telegraphed to the Foreign Office in London, and received the answer that the report of her return to Wallaria was absurd, that she w

d more accurately the likely trend of future events, or who were quicker to recognize opportunities and seize them than the Frenchman, and Lord Cloverton argued that he was far too clever a man to tell such an unlikely story merely to serve his own ends. He would know that the very improbability of the tale would have the effect of drawing attention to hi

e was the kind of man who would have nerve and determination enough to attempt a desperate venture, and having little to lose and all to win, might go far toward success. He and De Froilette app

plomatic relations and spread the lurid clouds of war from the Ural range to the shores of the Atlantic. One thing seemed certain, De Froilette had not repeated his in

ace in her favor, or had even been arranged for. Some bold coup d'etat might be in contemplation, and although the many and diverse interests in the country were probably sufficient to render any attempt abortive i

jesty, and of those who danced together. The slightest confidential whisper near him attracted his attention, and more than once he caused a blush to mount to a pretty woman's cheeks by suddenly surprising a murmured love passage meant for no other ears

ssador presently saw Frina Mavrodin on the arm of an attache of the Austrian Embassy, an offshoot of a princely house who, rumor said, had already been twice refused by the fair lady, and was only awaiting an opportunity to adventure his case for a third time. He was evidently persuading her to dance with him

he new arrivals were obliged to leave her after exchanging a few words. At last Lord Cloverton noticed that the expression of her face suddenly changed. She looked at him, or rather beyond him,

for the promised dance, but at any rate she dismissed him. For a few moments Ellerey stood

medy interests

he feeling of youth which is still in me. I am young enough, even now,

ged his shoulders ra

the candle, and usuall

one be the more appos

ase the attraction br

simile," was the answer. "He int

too, it seems," replied

ey interests

e. "There are others striving for the same prize, my lord, who do not easi

He means mischief. Ellerey may find his hands fuller than he expects, if the Baron's weapon is as ready as his tongue. Sentiment compels me to wish my countryman victory, but politically-ah! a

d her cavalier

ssador?" Ellerey had asked, as s

N

owd. Few people seem to know o

in Ellerey?" she said, seating herself in

sirous of living perpetually under the eye of Lord Cloverton, a

osely watched

ing which affects me?" El

hesi

direc

ectly,

, but it interested me. It has nothing t

ould Lord Cloverton h

of the-crime is it?-w

a romance. I should have repudiated the

e kindest thing you h

face, and the colo

ndship to believe nothing ill? I would hardly believe a confession of cri

untess," said Ellerey, with a smile. "I am barely for

n woman, but a very fa

of Wallaria. You

d of her, but seen he

red her?"

y and her indom

heard, that yo

aps. She was a schoolgirl, and playing truant. We met upon the downs one breezy morning

sake, then, that y

inks!" exclaimed Ellerey. "Now I un

swer my questi

n Wallaria certainly gave me the ide

ve?" sh

ing any woman, and his companion's sudden question and attitude startled him. More than one answer sprang to his

tess? Such a flight of fancy after ten minute

and attitude, but it was not asked, for a

rey," he said. "Her Majesty commands y

rose a

r opportunity of quarrelling with you for laughin

ired, and will stay he

ey le

n Ellerey. Had she succeeded in learning anything? Surely in such a casual meeting no lasting impression could have been formed, and yet love works in sudden and inexplicable fashion sometimes. The Princess seemed to have treasured the memory of that meeting; Ellerey admitted that it was the cause of his coming to Sturatzberg. Frina Mavrodin remembered, as though they had been noted down in one continuo

permost in her mind, urging her to be on the alert. She was in the act of r

exclaimed. "What great

atzb

I am aware

so rare a circumstance that yo

on as I am welcomes solitud

, Countess," said the Ambassador, seating himself bes

to speak

ss is the result of skilfully seizing opportunities, and in findin

iescence as though the q

ople, therefore you must have found this Captain Ellerey interesting. So h

h of his confidence as you

then I will, in confidence

," she answered, eager to learn what

s nature is an impatient one, and in anger he turned his back upon England and came to Sturatzberg. In Wallaria there were possibilities. I can understand his action, Countess; it was a natural one in a m

ll this to

asion, Countess,

ed at hi

nfidence. How can I approach the

n such a matter. Is it not true that a woman can fram

men, p

, I think," said

rtain con

y," he

re asked by one parti

t my meaning ex

d Cloverton, I am not t

ned a smiling coun

ou do yourself a

sed of one secret. He suddenly perceived that he had possibly discovered another-one that mig

d urge his return to England, for he is no fit cavalier for Countess Mavrodin. He would be a mere adventurer to whom every woman is a

t a plaything, my lord. Has your philosophy no p

case I th

as friendship, for inst

rey and I are

" said Lord Cloverton, rising, too, and showin

espect your confidence, but may I suggest that your knowledge of Captain Ellerey's affairs may be useful to him? Why not

more powerful advocate." And the Ambassador left her and went quickly toward the vestibule. As

essenger across the ball-room, his guid

ent, and I am instructed to take you

up one corridor and down another for a little distance, and then ushering him into an ante-room, his guide left him ther

ated by a table at whic

hed her and ben

aptain Ellerey," she

ting your Maje

certain brigand called Vasilici from his fastnesses in the mountai

so, your

e, not to obey. His Majesty, watched as he is, cannot act freely, so the duty devolves on me. It is for you to proclaim that we in Sturatzberg are ready, by carrying a token to Vasilici, which I will give you, and which you must guard with your life, Captain Ellerey. The missio

foreigner?"

s the land of your adoption, and by this serv

nt to trust to your Majesty for my

is t

ood against the foreigner. May I ask consideration for

into our land-the adventurers who bear themselves as though they were our masters. We have been under an iron flail

for the token,

bracelet of iron, a chain joining together four medallions. "It is an ancient treasure of Wallaria, worn, it is said, by savage kings in this country before ever the Romans had trampled it with their all-conquering legions. I will seal it in this box, which you must guard with your life and bear to Vasilici. Seeing

the door opened, and the

ey en

, your Majesty, has ju

s on his

t the Queen s

might be dangerous. Wait for it at the Toison d'Or. It is an inn of no repute in the Bergenstrasse, which runs toward the Southern Gate. This same messenger who came to you

ifferent way

d monsieur would do well to leave his lodging by the Western Gate as soon as he

ared to follow the Baron like his shadow. He was watching all those who left the palace as carefully as on a former occasion he had scrutinized all those who entered it, and again Ellerey's appearance seemed to r

ng, monsieu

r w

apol

h me. I have

his lip. "He forgets that he has stared most insufferably at me

"but I am in no mood for quarrelling. Will monsieur oblige by standing ou

th a sudden sweep of his arm Baron Petrescu stru

punishing such insults on the spot with a total disregard of all formalities. Perhaps it was his action which prevented Ellerey carrying out his intention. He drew himself up to his

of a friend, so that we may ar

? I never sleep u

ible, m

he choice

ainly

ey answered. "There was a mo

rs, disgusted at the utter b

our friend, th

om he was desirous of intrusting an affair of this kind. Be

e speaker was an Englishm

a great favor, monsi

ide with the Baron's friend,

." And with an assenting inclination of his head Ell

ing over the balustrade, watched the descending f

my promised dance," s

esting the Cou

ng shortly," she answered absent-mindedly.

can that matter?" said

had just descended the stairs. Then she said with manifest effor

what can it m