"Don't imagine Lady Helen told me," Courtney explained. "I chanced to
notice her greeting, last night, to the Colonel of the Red Huzzars."
"You are too observant," said I.
"A bit more so, at that moment, than the Princess, I think."
"I trust so," said I.
"You made some rather fast going last night, my friend," he observed.
"Now, it's none of my affair--only--isn't it a bit early for top speed?"
"That is exactly what the Princess suggested," said I.
He burst into an amused laugh. "Go it, my boy!" he exclaimed, "you are
doing delightfully--and so is the Princess."
"Particularly the Princess," I said.
He nodded.
"And it's more than likely I am riding for a fall."
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's a fast race over a strange
course--and they will ride you down if they can."
"I know it," said I, "but I fancy I shall rather enjoy the
excitement--and Bernheim and Moore can be depended on, I think."
"Undoubtedly--you may be sure the King chose them advisedly. Consult
them in everything--but, on particular occasions, consult----"
"I'll come to you," I filled in.
"And you may always count on my aid--but, I was about to say, upon
particular occasions consult the Princess."
"Good," said I. "I shall riot in particular occasions."
"P. V." he amended.
"Oh! I'm her cousin," I laughed.
"And so is Lotzen."
"Damn Lotzen," said I, heartily.
"That's well enough as far as it goes, but it's the King's damn you
want."
"I fear he does not swear in English," said I.
"Then, it's up to you to teach him--and the quickest method is to win
the Princess. Marry her and you get the Crown for a bridal present."
"It may be the surest method; I doubt if it's the quickest," said I.
"Well, of course, my dear fellow," he said banteringly, "you know the
lady better than I do."
"I doubt it," said I, "for I think I don't know her even a little bit."
"Good--you are gathering wisdom rapidly; indeed, you are growing almost
over-wise."
"I have often wondered how you got your amazing knowledge of women," I
observed.
He lit a cigarette and sent a cloud of smoke between us. "It was born
in me, I think. At any rate, I've proved it--by letting them alone.
Yet," he went on musingly, "were I a Royal Duke and cousin to the
Princess of Valeria, I am not so sure--no, I am not so sure."
I looked at him a bit curiously. Surely, it could not be that
Courtney--the indifferent--the _blasé_--envied me; that he would care
to be other than he was; or that even a beautiful woman could stir his
blood. Then the cloud began to thin out, and he must have noticed my
surprise, for he laughed and waved his hand before his face.
"I'm like the fellow in the song," said he, "I've been 'seeing pictures
in the smoke.'"
"And you liked the pictures?" I asked.
"Very much, my boy, very much indeed--in smoke."
"Someone else is improving, also," said I. "Time was when you could
not have seen such pictures."
He shook his head. "It's only a sign of age. I'm becoming a dreamer;
soon you will find me sitting in the sun."
"You need a wife, Courtney," I exclaimed.
He laughed. "No--I need a drink, a good stiff drink. I'm getting old,
and lonely for the tried friends I've lost; you are the last deserter."
"Nonsense," I began.
"No, it's true as gospel," he went on. "Our paths separated forever at
the Palace, last night. You are a Royal Highness and the possible heir
to the Throne. And I am an elderly American diplomat--here, to-day;
gone to-morrow."
"You need several good stiff drinks," I interrupted.
He waved aside my banter. "I give you a toast," he went on, pouring a
measure for each of us. "The Princess Dehra--and another like her."
"And may you find that other," I cried.
Then we drained our glasses and flung them into the grate.
I was tremendously astonished at this revelation of Courtney's
feelings--feelings which I had never even suspected. And, I fear, I
had the bad taste to stare at him. For he turned abruptly and walked
to the window, and stood, for a moment, with his back to me. I drew on
my gloves and hitched up my sword (I was wearing the undress of a
general officer) and waited.
"Of course, you understood, last night, that there were no papers for
you to sign," he said, as he came slowly back to the table.
"Surely," I laughed.
"What I wanted was the opportunity to tell you that our secret service
will be at your command, and that I have given instructions to report
to me anything that may be of use to you--particularly, touching Lotzen
and his intimates."
"You are more than good, old chap," I said, and we shook hands
hard--for the toast was still in mind.
"Present my compliments to Her Highness," he called after me.
I went back to the doorway. "And give mine to The Other Like Her, when
she comes," I said.
"She will never come, Armand; she will never come. I am just an old
fool." Then he laughed. "Your love-making at dinner tables didn't use
to affect me."
"You never followed any of them by a moonlight ride with a pretty
girl," I answered.
"At least, never with one as pretty as Lady Helen," he amended.