After dinner that evening Lorry led the Princess out into the moonlit night.  The November breezes were soft and balmy and the shadows deep.

“Let us leave the park to Dagmar and her hero, to the soldiers and the musicians,” said Yetive.  “There is a broad portico here, with the tenderest of memories.  Do you remember a night like this, a month or more ago? the moon, the sentinel and some sorrows?  I would again stand where we stood on that night and again look up to the moon and the solemn sentinel, but not as we saw them then, with heartache and evasion.”

“The balcony, then, without the old restrictions,” Lorry agreed.  “I want to see that dark old monastery again, and to tell you how I looked from its lofty windows through the chill of wind and the chill of life into the fairest Eden that was ever denied man.”

“In an hour, then, I will meet you there.”

“I must correct you.  In an hour you will find me there.”

She left him, retiring with her aunt and the Countess Dagmar.  Lorry remained in the hall with Halfont, Prince Bolaroz, Mizrox and Anguish.  The conversation ran once more into the ever-recurring topic of the day, Gabriel’s confession.  The Prince of Dawsbergen was confined in the Tower with his confederate, Berrowag.  Reports from Dangloss late in the afternoon conveyed the intelligence that the prisoner had fallen into melancholia.  Berrowag admitted to the police that he had stood guard at the door while Gabriel entered the Prince’s room and killed him as he slept.  He described the cunning, deliberate effort to turn suspicion to the American by leaving bloodstains.  The other Dawsbergen nobles, with the exception of two who had gone to the capital of their country with the news of the catastrophe, remained close to the hotel.  One of them confessed that but little sympathy would be felt at home for Gabriel, who was hated by his subjects.  Already there was talk among them of Prince Dantan, his younger brother, as his successor to the throne.  The young Prince was a favorite with the people.

Bolaroz was pleased with the outcome of the sensational accusation and the consequent removal of complications which had in reality been unpleasant to him.

One feature of the scene in the throne room was not discussed, although it was uppermost in the minds of all.  The positive stand taken by the Princess and her open avowal of love for the dashing American were never to be forgotten.  The serious wrinkles on the brow of Halfont and the faraway expression that came frequently to his eyes revealed the nature of his thoughts.  The greatest problem of them all was still to be solved.

As they left the room he dropped behind and walked out beside Lorry, rather timidly detaining him until the others were some distance ahead.

“You were closeted with the Princess this morning, Mr. Lorry, and perhaps you can give me the information I desire.  She has called a meeting of the ministers and leading men of the country for to-morrow morning.  Do you know why she has issued this rather unusual call?  She did not offer any explanation to me.”