“She is a stubborn jade,” he mumbled.  “It would be an excellent lesson for her.  She needs to be taught that I am her king,” and then as though his conscience required a sop, “I shall be very good to her.  Afterward she will be happy.”  He turned toward Zellerndorf.  “You think it can be done?”

“Most assuredly, your majesty.  We shall take immediate steps to fetch the Princess Emma to Blentz,” and the Austrian rose and backed from the apartment lest the king change his mind.  Prince Peter and Maenck followed him.

Princess Emma von der Tann sat in her boudoir in her father’s castle in the Old Forest.  Except for servants, she was alone in the fortress, for Prince von der Tann was in Lustadt.  Her mind was occupied with memories of the young American who had entered her life under such strange circumstances two years before—­memories that had been awakened by the return of Lieutenant Otto Butzow to Lutha.  He had come directly to her father and had been attached to the prince’s personal staff.

From him she had heard a great deal about Barney Custer, and the old interest, never a moment forgotten during these two years, was reawakened to all its former intensity.

Butzow had accompanied Prince Ludwig to Lustadt, but Princess Emma would not go with them.  For two years she had not entered the capital, and much of that period had been spent in Paris.  Only within the past fortnight had she returned to Lutha.

In the middle of the morning her reveries were interrupted by the entrance of a servant bearing a message.  She had to read it twice before she could realize its purport; though it was plainly worded—­the shock of it had stunned her.  It was dated at Lustadt and signed by one of the palace functionaries: 

Prince von der Tann has suffered a slight stroke.  Do not be alarmed, but come at once.  The two troopers who bear this message will act as your escort.

It required but a few minutes for the girl to change to her riding clothes, and when she ran down into the court she found her horse awaiting her in the hands of her groom, while close by two mounted troopers raised their hands to their helmets in salute.

A moment later the three clattered over the drawbridge and along the road that leads toward Lustadt.  The escort rode a short distance behind the girl, and they were hard put to it to hold the mad pace which she set them.

A few miles from Tann the road forks.  One branch leads toward the capital and the other winds over the hills in the direction of Blentz.  The fork occurs within the boundaries of the Old Forest.  Great trees overhang the winding road, casting a twilight shade even at high noon.  It is a lonely spot, far from any habitation.

As the Princess Emma approached the fork she reined in her mount, for across the road to Lustadt a dozen horsemen barred her way.  At first she thought nothing of it, turning her horse’s head to the righthand side of the road to pass the party, all of whom were in uniform; but as she did so one of the men reined directly in her path.  The act was obviously intentional.