“No!” blazed the duke.

“Are we rich enough for war?”

“Always questions, questions!  What the devil is my army for if not to uphold my dignity?  Herbeck, you shall not argue me out of this.”

“Rather let me reason.  This is some prank, which I am sure does not concern Ehrenstein in the least.  They would never dare enter Dreiberg for aught else.  There must be a flaw in our secret service.”

“Doubtless.”

“I have seen this writing before,” said Herbeck.  “I shall make it my business to inquire who it is that takes this kindly interest in the affairs of state.”

The duke struck the bell violently.

“Summon the chief of the police,” he said to the secretary.

“Yes, yes, your Highness, let it be a police affair.  This letter does not state the why and wherefore of their presence here.”

“It holds enough for me.”

“Will your highness leave the matter in my hands?”

“Herbeck, in some things you are weak.”

“And in others I am strong,” smiled the chancellor.  “I am weak when there is talk of war; I am strong when peace is in the balance.”

“Is it possible, Herbeck, that you do not appreciate the magnitude of the situation?”

“It is precisely because I do that I wish to move slowly.  Wait.  Let the police find out why they are here.  There will be time enough then to declare war.  They have never seen her highness.  Who knows?”

“Ah!  But they have violated the treaty.”

“That depends upon whether their presence here is or is not a menace to the state.  If they are here on private concerns which in no wise touch Ehrenstein, it would be foolhardy to declare war.  Your highness is always letting your personal wounds blur your eyesight.  Some day you will find that Jugendheit is innocent.”

“God hasten the day and hour!”

“Yes, let us hope that the mystery of it all will be cleared up.  You are just and patient in everything but this.”  Herbeck idled with his quill.  The little finger of his right hand was badly scarred, the mutilation of a fencing-bout in his student days.

“What do you advise?” wearily.  It seemed to the duke that Herbeck of late never agreed with him.

“My advice is to wait.  In a day or so arrest them under the pretext that you believe them to be spies.  If they remain mute, then the case is serious, and you will have them on the hip.  If, on the other hand, this invasion is harmless and they declare themselves, the matter can be adjusted in this wise:  ignore their declaration and confine them a day or two in the city prison, then publish the news broadcast.  Having themselves broken the letter if not the spirit of the treaty, they will not dare declare war.  Every court in Europe will laugh.”

The duke struck his hands together.  “You are always right, Herbeck.  This plan could not have been devised better or more to my satisfaction.”  The duke laughed.  “You are right.  Ah, here is the chief.”