“Therefore, you inferred?” I asked.

“Nothing, my dear Armand, nothing.  I know.  At one of the gates, the officer condescended to tell me that he was acting under the express order of Field Marshal, His Royal Highness the Governor of Dornlitz.”

“And he told you the truth,” I said.

“Of course he did,” she laughed.  “I never doubted it.  What I want to know is your reason for the order.”

“And that is what brought you here?” I asked.

“That—­and the pleasure of seeing my dear husband,” she drawled.

“I’ll make a bargain with you, Mrs. Spencer,” I said:  “My motive for the order, in exchange, in strict confidence, for your motive for coming to Dornlitz.”

Of course, I had no notion she would disclose the actual motive in the plot.  What I was after was the story they had prepared to explain why I came to Valeria alone and left her to follow and, in the interim, posed as a bachelor.

“Surely, Armand, you’re not serious!” she exclaimed.

“I never was more so,” I said.

“But why should you want me to tell you something you already know?” she asked—­with a quick glance at Moore.

“Come, come!” said I; “Colonel Moore is totally deaf, at times.  I promise your secret shall remain within this room.”

“My secret!” she laughed.  “Really, Armand, you are delicious.”

“I don’t quite understand,” I said.

She laughed again.  “It seems to me that why I followed you to Valeria, instead of coming with you, is, particularly, your secret.  You wouldn’t care for His Majesty to know it, would you?”

“If it’s my secret,” said I, “don’t you think I ought to be let into it?”

She thought a moment—­evidently considering how much she should reveal to me.  Of course, she understood what I wanted and why; but this order of mine, restricting her within the Capital, had evidently been totally unexpected, and she was set upon having some explanation of it.  Hence, she was ready to bargain.

“Come!” said I.  “In this game you’re playing, you will have to disclose it very soon, anyway.”

“But, it seems so silly, Armand, to tell you what you yourself arranged.”

“Oh!  So I arranged for your coming!” I exclaimed.  “I suppose I also arranged for what you have done since you’ve been here.”

She smiled sweetly.  “Not quite all, my dear.  I’ve been arranging a few things myself, thanks to your perfidy.”

“We are getting away from the main point,” I said.  “You were about to tell me why you came to Dornlitz.”

She arose languidly, and began to draw on her gloves.

“Oh, was I?  Well, then, I’ve changed my mind.”

“I bid you good-day, Mrs. Spencer,” I said, and turned away.

She gave a light laugh.  “Aren’t you glad to be rid of me, dear?”

I faced about.

“Very,” I said bluntly.