The Island Mystery

alia negotiations he had to deal with women as well

one does that. Not even a church, though firmly convinced of its own infallibility, will bludgeon the world into an acceptance of its claim by making decisions about matters which are susceptible of proof. Donova

ly well that he could not sel

g consort when you married her. But you know and I know and Corinne knows-alas! we all know-that if I attempted a coup d'état of that kind the Emperor w

t suggested the sale of Megalia. She cut into

he said, "woul

time in Goldsturmer's Bond Street establishment a rope of pearls which she very much wished to possess. Mi

kingdom," she

ered the price which Donovan might be induce

said. "Th

Emperor,"

r stood between her and the possession of the most magnificent pearls in Europe. It was no wonder that she cursed him. Konrad Karl did not rebuke her disloyalty. He merely shrugged his shoulders, feeling that it was no use damning the Emperor. That pote

e. All young girls are imbecile. As for the father, if he were not a fool would he wish to buy

nly a fool. Gorman was forced to admit that Donovan showed less wisdom th

take. We skip. I love London-yes, very well. But after all there are other

Unfortunately the world is not big enough fo

take us by the collar. We should b

ld at once buy pearls and diamonds, and I should conc

r. It is just conceivable that he would have allowed her to wander off by herself with several hundred thousand pounds worth of j

. You may take it from me, Madame, that the price won't be paid till you have delivered the goods. You won't get m

ever was. If there had been it would not be there now.

buy a new crown in any case. He wouldn't like the idea of his daughter appeari

e pinching shoe. That she cannot have

l other jeunes filles-if she obtains that rope of pearls from Goldsturmer, those pearls which ought to

heel of her shoe. The carpets in Beaufort's hotel have the softest and deepest pile of any carpets in Europe. Madame's first

next. He told me that she really was a very alarming

ot a suggestion to make. Get Madame to si

knew what to do with her. He got another glass of brandy and a box of cigarettes. He set

ng, "if you have a key which will op

daughter. Not Megalia in particular, but some kind of r

ts of Europe there is no other king in such a damned hol

sland, for instance-which you could make over, sporting, mineral and royal rights, to Donovan; just as England gave Helig

ys the Emperor. All roads lead to Rome. All Real

f fact I expect a small island would suit Donovan better than the whole country. He has a weak heart and has come over to Europe for rest and quiet.

"arises there regularly. A revo

n like Donovan would feed the inhabitants until they got too fat for

old, a charming house. Hot and cold. Billiard and No Basement. Self-contained, Tudor and Bungalow, ten bed, two dressing, offices of the usual, drainage, commanding views, all that is desirable. But, alas for poor Otto! Salissa was not safe. He had forgot

ing murdered. Besides, there'd be complications. The assassination of an odd prince doesn't much matter to any one. But an A

would not kill a baby. They are lambs, d

the Commander of the Forces and the

l her," said the King. "She

without reservation of any kind to him. The royal rights are essential. Rememb

ll, and far, very far, from the land. If we keep the transaction

wed her last

ice?" s

all island like that as if you were able to sell th

ue in Megalia eith

s daughter will be a reigning queen. I da

of pearls," said Madame,

, "we'll get that

ths that imbecile girl will buy the pearls. Do not say no. I know it. I hav

t want her to

nd arrange with him to give you the refusal

evil. He will not trust me for one

said that he refused to trust Ma

Donovan, and to get him, if possible, to pay at l

air about which a song can be made in the market place. If the Emperor were to hear a whisper-Gorman, you do

offer the Emperor five per cent. of the

id the King. "The Em

eaven very little. But there is no doubt