“Not yet,” the detective answered.

“I have heard you speak of this affair,” the Prince continued, “and before now I expected to read in the papers that you had put your hand upon the guilty one.  If you have not done so, I am very sure that there is some explanation.”

“It is better sometimes to wait,” the detective said quietly.

The Prince bowed as one who understands.

“I think so,” he assented, “I think I follow you.  On the very next day there was another tragedy which seemed to me even more terrible.  I mean the murder of that young fellow Vanderpole, of the American Embassy.  Mr. Inspector Jacks, has it ever occurred to you, I wonder, that it might be as well to let the solution of one await the solution of the other?”

Inspector Jacks shrugged his shoulders.

“Occasionally,” he admitted reluctantly, “when one is following up a clue, one discovers things.”

“You are wonderful!” the Prince declared.  “You are, indeed!  I know what is in your mind.  You have said to yourself, ’Between these two murders there is some connection.  They were both done by the hand of a master criminal.  The victims in both cases were Americans.’  You said to yourself, ’First of all, I will discover the motive; then, perhaps, a clue which seems to belong to the one will lead me to the other, or both?’ You are not sure which way to turn.  There is nothing there upon which you can lay your hand.  You say to yourself, ‘I will make a bluff.’  That is the word, is it not?  You come to me.  You tell me gravely that you have reason to suspect some one in my household.  That is because you believe that the crimes were perpetrated by some one of my country.  You do not ask for information.  You think, perhaps, that I would not give it.  You confront me with a statement.  It was very clever of you, Mr. Inspector Jacks.”

“I had reason for what I did, sir,” the detective said.

“No doubt,” the Prince agreed.  “And now, tell me, when are you going to electrify us all?  When is the great arrest to take place?”

The detective coughed discreetly.

“I am not yet in a position, sir,” he said, “to make any definite announcement.”

“Cautious, Mr. Jacks, cautious!” the Prince remarked smilingly.  “It is a great quality,—­a quality which I, too, have learned how to appreciate.  And now for our five minutes’ talk.  If I say to you, ‘Return home with me,’ I think you will remember that unpleasant room of mine, and you will recollect an important engagement at Scotland Yard.  In the clubs one is always overheard.  Walk with me a little way, Mr. Jacks, in St. James’ Park.  We can speak there without fear of interruption.  Come!”

He thrust his arm through the detective’s and led him across the street.  Mr. Inspector Jacks was only human, and he yielded without protest.  They passed St. James’ Palace and on to the broad promenade, where there were few passers-by and no listeners.