“Yes, I surely would.”

Just then Major Moore entered.  I motioned him forward.

“Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered,” he reported.

I thanked him.  “One thing more, Major,” I said.  “My compliments to the senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and ask him to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupying the third box on the right in this row.  And do you take a good look at them yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces.”

“What a satisfactory Aide,” said Dehra.  “His eyes didn’t even waver toward that other box.”

“Not only that,” I answered; “but, when Moore does do his looking, those in that box won’t know it, you may be sure.”

Then the bells rang for the last act—­and the Radnors and Courtney were announced.

XIV

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the Hanging Garden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen.  It suggests—­very faintly—­the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course, it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead of the dirty, sluggish Thames.  It is the peculiarly fashionable restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy of the Kingdom.  To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to separate us from the general crowd.

Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into the Royal Box.  To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to join us at supper.

He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come.  In fact, I felt a bit sorry for him.  He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely, his chance at the Throne, as well.  And I had won the one and, very possibly, the other, also.  I could afford to be generous.  After to-night, however,—­when he had learned of these facts—­it would be for him to indicate as to our future attitude.  For my part, I was quite willing to be friendly.

The entrance of my party made something of a sensation.  To reach our table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length and the people arose instantly and bowed.

To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it.  But I was still fresh in my Royalty and it did attract me—­though, I think I appreciated what he did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and not to us.  Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King himself had been with us.  When Dehra was in presence the people had eyes for her alone.

The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service beyond criticism.  I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke’s left.