“All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels,” I observed.

He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.

“Just so, cousin, just so,” he said.

“And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?” I asked.

For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regretted the word.  Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their face value.

“Morals have nothing to do with a King,” he laughed; “nor with the subject under consideration.”

“Apropos of the latter,” said I, “I suppose I am very stupid, but I don’t quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, you offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer.”

“Pure selfishness, cousin.  I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself.”

“Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness,” I sneered.

He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.

“Come, Armand,” he said, “I must be going.  Will you condescend to answer?”

I arose.

“You won’t?  Well, it’s not really necessary—­but, have you a dice box handy?”

“I have not.”

“A pack of cards, then?”

“No.”

He shrugged his shoulders.  “Take my advice and get them—­you are far, very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine.  However, this will serve, though it’s rather low class,” and he took out a gold coin and rang it on the table.  “You were an American officer and, I understand, they are as game a lot of men as wear swords.  Will you bear that out and try a toss with me?”

“And the wager?” I asked.

He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.

“Two tosses and two wagers.  The first, for the Princess; the second, for the Crown.”

I waited a moment until I could control my voice.

“It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke,” said I, “to toss you—­not with yonder coin but out of yonder window.  I fancy a second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with as much pleasure as the first.”

Lotzen’s face got crimson; then, gradually paled—­like red-hot iron passing to a white heat.  He let the chair fall slowly into place; and so easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.

So, for a space, we stood at gaze.  Then he spoke; and I marvelled at the continued calmness of his voice.

“You are my superior officer, so I may not strike you nor draw against you.  But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell you that you are a snivelling coward.”

“Pray, don’t hide behind my temporary rank,” I answered hotly.  “I waive it, gladly.  Anything, for a chance to puncture that rotten carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face.”

It was a foolish speech.  I knew it the moment it was out.  But I never had acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked—­and I despised Lotzen.  Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.  Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewed him much as he did me—­a foreigner—­an interloper—­a scheming usurper—­a thief.