The Princess Dehra

e courtesy, but brief words, the greetings of the others, and when his secretary had put his dispatch box on the table he immediately opened it and busied himself

delayed until evening, and by the personal order of the Prime Minister, had provoked both amazement and expectancy. It could mean only that the paper was being held for something that mu

the War Minister, had remarked, "and I assumed it

ster of Justice, shr

sumed correctl

h quick interest, but got on

t he sign it?"

hair and studied the ceiling.

e other snapped. "Who the

g,'" drawled Ret

General Duval brought his fist

hduke Armand. If he is not the King, and you know it, it is your duty as a member of the Coun

and, for a brief instant, lingered, with a

deal only in frontal attacks-and defeats. I assure you I know nothing; but to restate yo

d Minister of the Interi

nded, eyeing Retz. "The ordinary and reasonable explanation i

l have the explanation in a very few minut

miral Marquand, "I am moved to inq

the Department of Justice can also offe

the very natural presumption that the Duke of Lotzen is

tion?" Duval

be two Kings of Valeria, and it would seem tha

f Justice for whom?"

onsieur le General forgets that when the

ment that Count E

med the hour the Count sat down

esent?" Retz asked casua

looked at him in st

Majesty will doubtless join us in proper time. Have y

nothing. I was only curious as

touched the Co

rious as to who would wea

around an

u, who is King in Valeria: the Arch

er's smile chi

uestion from the chief law of

at he should be compelled to

oubt in your mind as to the elde

t can you assure u

the Count asked. "By the laws of the Dalbergs t

n of his ancestor's rank and estates, but said no word as to the Crown." He leaned forward and looked the old Count in the eyes. "And I ask you now, my lord, if, under the decree, Armand became the Heir Presumptive, why was it that, at all our sessions, the Duke of Lotzen, until hi

tened with an impassive fa

Baron," he said, "if you displayed a more judicial spiri

rmit even you--

n our dead master treat the Archduke Armand, in every way, as his successor; and on one occasion, in your hearing and to your knowledge-for I saw y

e the exact words of Henry's decree. I am well aware it is unprecedented for any but a Dalberg to see the Dalberg Laws; but we are facing an unprecedented condition. Never before has a Dalberg king failed to have a son to follow him. Now, we hearken back for generations, with a mysterious juggle interv

Book of Laws. So much for principle and ancient custom. It may be the pleasure of the Archduke to confirm his right by exhibiting to us the Laws; or the Duke of Lotzen may challenge his title, and so force their submission to us or to the House of Nobles for decision. But, as the matt

ck in his chai

said. "I speak no more for L

ng, my lords, the King!" he exclaimed, as the door in the far corner opened and Armand entered, un

ourtiers though they were, they (save the old Count) stared at it so curiously that the Ar

igned astonishment to Armand-while the Count's thin lips twitched ever so slightly, and, for an in

g, and that he, by his very persistence, had given the grim old diplomat an opportunity to demonstrate, in the most effective fashion, the unprecedented honor Armand was now doing them. It was irritating enough to be out-man?uv

ccept my apologies for my tardiness," and

ew his sword an

of the House of Dalber

their blades rang together ab

the Dalbe

ays been used to welcome the new ruler up

later-and that with every eye upon him, even the Archduke's, whose glance had instinctively followed the others'. Yet

te, while his face and brow went ruddy and his fingers chill. It was for him to speak, he knew, yet speak he could not. But whe

s, it may have been his pleasure, under the peculiar conditions now existing, to name another as his heir. Hence it is my purpose to submit to you the Book of Laws, that you may inspect the decrees and ascertain to whom the Crown descends. I am informed this is a proceeding utterly unknown; that the Dalberg Laws are seen only by Dalberg eyes. Yet, a

ntly General Duval f

ghness!" he cried. "God

the Archduke's head, the corridor door behind them swung open, and

hours count as days against the absent claimant to a throne. But when, at the station, he learned from Baron Rosen that the Proclama

s lips, a storm of hate and anger in his heart. Those shouts, those swords, those ardent faces should all have been his; would all have been his, but for this foreigner, this American, this usurper, this thief. And his fingers closed about his sword's hilt and, for the shadow of an

-pray don't let me disturb it; though I might inquire, since when

mptly gave him

ood time," he said very softly. "W

ures of that sort, there can be bu

ng his hand towa

t there is ample space for Your

with the steady stare of implacable hate, thoug

not mistake my meaning, when I assure you that there i

," returned Armand quickly, "to find, at la

ile the others watched them, wondering and

mit the Royal Council to continue its session. Be seated, messieurs;" and

otzen stepp

one of Valeria. I call upon you, in the name of the House

Highness rest your claim?"

curred as he entered, undoubtedly indicated either that the Book had not yet been examined or that it contained

hand in salute; "and under which, as you all well know, I

as final arbiter between

ed and looked

softly; and not a man but understoo

and answered in a voice e

cellency, the Prime Minister, has the key to the box; with your permissio

ing, and when he had finished, he drew out the queer little key, an

he box?" he asked

ount worked with it, Armand remembered suddenly the unusua

in," he said. And at once the key slipp

o lift the lid until he received the Archduke's nod; then he slowly laid it back,

Laws," he said sharply;

ed at him and

is empty,