And now came the rumor that Leopold of Lutha had escaped the Castle of Blentz and was roaming somewhere in the wild mountains or ravines upon the opposite side of the plain of Lustadt.

Peter of Blentz was filled with rage and, possibly, fear as well.

“I tell you, Coblich,” he cried, addressing his dark-visaged minister of war, “there’s more than coincidence in this matter.  Someone has betrayed us.  That he should have escaped upon the very eve of the arrival at Blentz of the new physician is most suspicious.  None but you, Coblich, had knowledge of the part that Dr. Stein was destined to play in this matter,” concluded Prince Peter pointedly.

Coblich looked the Regent full in the eye.

“Your highness wrongs not only my loyalty, but my intelligence,” he said quietly, “by even so much as intimating that I have any guilty knowledge of Leopold’s escape.  With Leopold upon the throne of Lutha, where, think you, my prince, would old Coblich be?”

Peter smiled.

“You are right, Coblich,” he said.  “I know that you would not be such a fool; but whom, then, have we to thank?”

“The walls have ears, prince,” replied Coblich, “and we have not always been as careful as we should in discussing the matter.  Something may have come to the ears of old Von der Tann.  I don’t for a moment doubt but that he has his spies among the palace servants, or even the guard.  You know the old fox has always made it a point to curry favor with the common soldiers.  When he was minister of war he treated them better than he did his officers.”

“It seems strange, Coblich, that so shrewd a man as you should have been unable to discover some irregularity in the political life of Prince Ludwig von der Tann before now,” said the prince querulously.  “He is the greatest menace to our peace and sovereignty.  With Von der Tann out of the way there would be none powerful enough to question our right to the throne of Lutha—­after poor Leopold passes away.”

“You forget that Leopold has escaped,” suggested Coblich, “and that there is no immediate prospect of his passing away.”

“He must be retaken at once, Coblich!” cried Prince Peter of Blentz.  “He is a dangerous maniac, and we must make this fact plain to the people—­this and a thorough description of him.  A handsome reward for his safe return to Blentz might not be out of the way, Coblich.”

“It shall be done, your highness,” replied Coblich.  “And about Von der Tann?  You have never spoken to me quite so—­ah—­er—­pointedly before.  He hunts a great deal in the Old Forest.  It might be possible—­in fact, it has happened, before—­there are many accidents in hunting, are there not, your highness?”

“There are, Coblich,” replied the prince, “and if Leopold is able he will make straight for the Tann, so that there may be two hunting together in a day or so, Coblich.”

“I understand, your highness,” replied the minister.  “With your permission, I shall go at once and dispatch troops to search the forest for Leopold.  Captain Maenck will command them.”