Lorry did not speak to his friend of Graustark until nearly two weeks after his arrival in the city.  He had discussed with himself the advisability of revealing his plans to Anguish, fearing the latter’s ridicule with all the cowardice of a man who knows that scoffing is, in a large measure, justifiable.  Growing impatient to begin the search for the unheard-of country, its capital and at least one of its inhabitants, he was at last compelled to inform Anguish, to a certain extent, of his plans for the future.  He began by telling him of his intention to take a run over toward Vienna, Buda-Pesth and some of the Eastern cities, expecting to be gone a couple of months.  To his surprise and consternation, Anguish enthusiastically volunteered to take the trip with him, having had the same project in view for nearly a year.

There was nothing left for Lorry but to make a clean breast of it, which he did shamefacedly, expecting the laughter and raillery of his light-hearted friend as payment for his confidence.  Instead, however, Anguish, who possessed a lively and romantic nature, was charmed by the story and proclaimed it to be the most delightful adventure that had ever happened outside of a story-book.

“Tell me all about her,” he urged, his eyes sparkling with boyish enthusiasm.  And Lorry proceeded to give him a personal description of the mysterious beauty, introducing him, in the same manner, to the distinguished uncle and aunt, adding all those details which had confounded and upset him during his own investigations.

“This is rich!” exclaimed Anguish.  “Beats any novel written, I declare.  Begad, old man, I don’t blame you for hunting down this wonderful bit of femininity.  With a curiosity and an admiration that had been sharpened so keenly as yours, I’d go to the end of the world myself to have them satisfied.”

“I may be able to satisfy but one—­curiosity.  And maybe not that.  But who knows of Graustark?”

“Don’t give up before you’ve tried.  If these people live in such a place, why, it is to be found, of course.  Any railroad guide-book can locate this land of mystery.  There are so many infernal little kingdoms and principalities over here that it would take a lifetime to get ’em all straightened out in one’s head.  To-morrow morning we will go to one of the big railway-stations and make inquiries.  We’ll locate Graustark and then we’ll go over and pluck the flower that grows there.  All you need, my boy, is a manager.  I’ll do the arranging, and your little act will be the plucking.”

“Easier said than done.”

“She threw a kiss to you, didn’t she?”

“Certainly, but, confound it, that was because she never expected to see me again.”

“Same reason why you threw a kiss to her, I suppose?”

“I know why; I wasn’t accountable.”

“Well, if she did it any more wittingly than you did, she is accountable, and I’d hunt her up and demand an explanation.”