The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-17
CHAPTER xxll.-(continued.)

IN ARDON me, mademoiselle." he
III said, in excellent English.
for accosting you here. but
the public rooms are crowd
ed. and this passage will
serve as a place in which 10 deliver
my message"
Miss Hunt stared at him in aston
ishment
"Mademoiselle appears surprised"
said the blond man. with little
sweep of his hands. which spoke OF a
French training. Probably mademoi-
selle will be surprised still more be
fore she leaves Romberg-let us hope
agreeably So"
II you have anything to say to
me-" said Miss Hunt. Il shall be glad
if you will do SO at once, as | desire
to go downstairs"
"Mademoiselle." said the blond man,
a trife more gravely, Il did not know,
as | sat next 10 you at lunch, that you
were Miss Hunt. from England,
though had come 10 the hotel for the
express purpose Of seeing you"
He lowered his voice and leaned for
ward confidentially. II bear mes
sage from the king"
"Yes?" said Miss Hunt, and her
heart gave a little bound.
Yes. mademoiselle. his majesty de-
sires me TO say il is absolutely i'm
possible for him to see you. and he
desires me to interview YOU in his
stead. Ny name is Col. Kowchoffski.
and | am one OF his majesty's equer-
ries. II you will do me the honor TO
spare me five minutes | will request
OF the manager the use OF a private
sitting room, in which we can discuss
your affairs, whatever they may be;
and | may add" he concluded, that
his majesty has desired me to render
you every possible assistance
Miss Hunt drew back pace and
looked at him steadily. Col kow-
choffski." she said. there Is no need
for you TO wait you can go back TO
the king and tell his majesty that !
decline TO see any one but himself
You may further say. If you like, that
think his majesty may possibly re-
gret IL IL ne refuses TO grant me an
audience"
Col. Kowchoffskl was OH the verge
of polite protest. when Miss Hunt
turned away, and. re-entering her
room. shut the door. and left him
standing abashed and disconsolate In
the passage
That afternoon Miss Hunt went out
and wandered about a little aimlessly.
feeling rather lonely and frlendiess,
down the gorgeous main street OF the
city. IF there is any message from
his high and mighty majesty" she
said to herself. "he will have to walt
on this occasion for me TO receive IT,.
About tea-time she retraced her
steps. and there in the hall. looking
distinctly uneasy. WAS the blond anu
Sinking equerry.
After his experience OF the morning,
he approached Miss Hunt with DIM
dence. and. clicking his heels together,
made her a formal and continental
bow.
Madam" he said. lowering his
voice so that those about her could
not hear what he said. his majesty
has consented TO receive you In audi
ence tomorrow morning at IL O'CLOCK.
Miss Hunt merely bowed a little
stiflly. said Thank you" and passed
on her way The manager. who was
standing Wy and had witnessed the
little Incident. gazed after her with
q lively curiosity
on the following morning MISS
Hunt drove up 10 the palace. where an
officer OF the guard was waiting by
the gates To- receive her. Under his
instructions. her cab was allowed To
pass into the courtyard.
The entrance hall OF the mansion
was magnificent in its dimensions. II
was I'm reality a spacious covered
court. it's domed roof supported by
marble columns Three wide stair
cases let up to great gallery which
ran along three sides Of IT