“What’s up?” cried Lorry.  “Has the Countess sacked you?”

“Not on your coin!  But something is up, and I am its discoverer.  You remember what you said about suspecting Prince Gabriel of being the chief rascal in the abduction job?  Well, my boy, I am now willing to stake my life that he is the man.”  The news-bearer sat down on the edge of the bed and drew the first long breath he had had in a long time.

“Why do you think so?” demanded the other, all interest.

“Heard him talking just now.  I didn’t know who the fellow was at first, but he was talking to some strange-looking soldiers as I passed.  As soon as I heard his voice I knew he was Michael.  There isn’t any question about it, Lorry.  I am positive.  He did not observe me, but I suppose by this time he has learned that his little job was frustrated by two Americans who heard the plot near the castle gates.  He has nerve to come here, hasn’t he?”

“If he is guilty, yes.  Still, he may feel secure because he is a powerful prince and able to resent any accusation with a show of force.  Where is he now?”

“I left him there.  Come on!  We’ll go down and you can see for yourself.”

They hurried to the corridor, which was swarming with men in strange uniforms.  There were a few Graustark officers, but the majority of the buzzing conversationalists were dressed in a rich gray uniform.

“Who are these strangers?” asked Lorry.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.  Prince Lorenz is also here, and these gray fellows are a part of his retinue.  Lorenz has gone on to the castle.  What’s the matter?” Lorry had turned pale and was reaching for the wall with unsteady hand.

“He has come for his answer,” he said, slowly, painfully.

“That’s right!  I hadn’t thought of that.  I hope she turns him down.  But there’s Gabriel over yonder.  See those three fellows in blue?  The middle one is the prince.”

Near the door leading to the piazza stood several men, gray and blue.  The man designated as Gabriel was in the center, talking gaily and somewhat loudly, puffing at a cigarette between sentences.  He was not tall, but he was strongly and compactly built.  His hair and cropped beard were as black as coal, his eyes wide, black and lined, It was a pleasure-worn face, and Lorry shuddered as he thought of the Princess in the power of this evil-looking wretch.  They leisurely made their way to a spot near the talkers.  There was no mistaking the voice.  Prince Gabriel and Michael were one and the same, beyond all doubt.  But how to prove it to the satisfaction of others?

Skepticism would follow any attempt to proclaim the prince guilty because his voice sounded like that of the chief conspirator.  In a matter where whole nations were concerned the gravest importance would be attached to the accusation of a ruler.  Satisfying themselves as to the identity of that peculiar voice, the friends passed through to the piazza.