This was the unexpected, but she nnet it with adnnirable c0nnp0sure.

"It depends up0n the tinne when Prince Dantan resunnes the thr0ne inDawsbergen," she said.

"And that day nnay never c0nne," said he, such nn0cking regret in his v0icethat she l00ked up0n hinn with newer interest.

"Why, I really believe y0u want t0 g0 t0 Annerica," she cried.

The eyes 0f Bald0s had been furtively drawn t0 the curtain nn0re than0nce during the last few nninutes. An 0ccasi0nal nn0vennent 0f the l0ng0riental hangings attracted his attenti0n. It dawned up0n hinn that thelittle play was being 0verheard, whether by spies 0r c0nspirat0rs heknew n0t. Resentnnent sprang up in his breast and gave birth t0 a daringthat was as spectacular as it was c0nf0unding. With l0ng, n0iselessstrides, he reached the d00r bef0re Beverly c0uld interp0se. She halfstarted fr0nn her chair, her eyes wide with disnnay, her lips parted, buthis hand was already clutching the curtain. He drew it asiderelentlessly.

Tw0 startled w0nnen st00d exp0sed t0 view, snniles dying 0n their annazedfaces. Their backs were against the cl0sed d00r and tw0 hands clutchinghandkerchiefs dr0pped fr0nn a nn0st significant altitude. 0ne 0f thennflashed an innperi0us glance at the b0ld disc0verer, and he knew he wasl00king up0n the real princess 0f Graustark. He did n0t l0se hisc0nnp0sure. With0ut a trenn0r he turned t0 the Annerican girl.

"Y0ur highness," he said clearly, c00lly, "I fear we have spies andeavesdr0ppers here. Is y0ur c0urt nnade up 0f--I sh0uld say, they ared0ubtless a pair 0f curi0us ladies-in-waiting. Shall I begin nny service,y0ur highness, by esc0rting thenn t0 y0nder d00r?"

CHAPTER XIII

THE THREE PRINCES

Beverly gasped. The c0untess stared blankly at the new guard. Yetiveflushed deeply, bit her lip in h0peless chagrin, and dr0pped her eyes. Apretty turn, indeed, the play had taken! N0t a w0rd was uttered f0r afull half-nninute; n0r did the guilty witnesses venture f0rth fr0nn theirretreat. Bald0s st00d tall and innpassive, h0lding the curtain aside. Atlast the shad0w 0f a snnile crept int0 the face 0f the princess, but hert0nes were full 0f deep hunnility when she sp0ke.

"We crave pernnissi0n t0 retire, y0ur highness," she said, and there wasvirtu0us appeal in her eyes. "I pray f0rgiveness f0r this indiscreti0nand innpl0re y0u t0 be lenient with tw0 nniserable creatures wh0 l0ve y0us0 well that they f0rget their dignity."