The Spectator., 1915-11-23
FOURTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xV.
If Your MaiestY Please.

m 1ull view or the spectators, WHO now had left the dancing floor and gathered in groups at respectful dis tance from royalty, Kitty received the envelope from the messenger-the same packet which she had herself sent to the palace that morning for delivery at midnight.
 She did this with fine air of in- souciance, for she felt quite sure that success now had met all her plans; nor did the outward appearance of the packet afford any reason to sus- pect otherwise.
 Yet, even as she took the envelope in her hand, there came to her sharp conviction that something was wrong. It had a strange lightness-it did not seem quite the same as when she her self had sealed it that morning. Has, / tily, she opened the envelope, her lips compressed. It was empty!
 Yes, the mysterious coin was gone. Entrusted to the safest messenger she could find; sent to the king himself; received by the kings trusted official; guarded, as was to be supposed. every moment of the time since it had left her hands-none the less. the coin had disappeared as though some specter hand had abstracted it.
 The blank book of surprise which came to her face was something not to be mistaken. King Michael drowned What is this. mademoiselle-are we made the subject of some sport? How now?"
 Kitty stood regarding first one, then the next of the faces about her. On the countenance of Count Frederick she read only chagrin and surprise equal to her own. There was no trace of guilty knowledge there-she was sure of that. Then another hand had come into the game! Some other mind also was interested in the mysterious coin of Gretzhoffen,
 "What then, mademoiselle?" de- manded Michael, himself not yet so fully advised as others regarding the nature of this packet which had been intended for him. What was it that you were so good as to intend sending us?s <
 Kitty dared not answer this direct question She concluded quickly that 1t would be far safer to add as little as possible to the number of those who knew the full story of the travel ing coin.
 Your majesty" said she. turning upon him so dazzling smile as would have made any man forget all else. It was nothing! It was but small faRor I would have sent your majesty, to Nshow the acknowledgment of my own country. since your majesty has dc le such honor to me tonight. Per ht.ps someone in my humble menage hhs been unfaithful-if so, it was but Armall loss after all. If your majesty will forget 1t and give me few added lays of grace, will explain--I will try again. I hope with greater for tune."
 Michael was ready enough to agree No anything which would bring back To his society this dazzling young crea- ere who stood beside him. \ ts.very well. mademoiselle," said he. Gas you like"
 A certain relief was felt by all con cerned, as now he turned and made a sign to the leader of the orchestra, who stood, baton poised.
 "With us, excellenza?" The king of fered his arm. The king and the ; young American. of whose origin he knew. and apparently cared to know. nothing whatever, were the observed of all. Michael at least could dance, and as for Kitty, she was an Ameri- can girl.
 As they swept on in the revolutions of the dance. Kitty caught sight of the dark face of Count Sachio.
 That she had earned this mans dis } like, or at least, had deeply hurt [ his masculine vanity. Kitty was we'll enough aware.
 As for King Michael. he was extra ordinarily sober; which, in his case, was equivalent to saying that he was not extraordinarily happy. Count Frederick evaded the throngs about the king. Unwillingly he turned away his eyes from the beautiful fig lure of the young American as she hlanced. He never had seen woman kho thrilled him thus. He himself did Not dance. This was no evening of Measure for him. He had other plans.
 Count Frederick started toward the
 GOT before a second thought came to lis mind. If there should for any req
 on be miscarriage of his plans-if here should be need for yet greater lelay before his final overt act was committed--then he ought to have a >ara to retain soma footing in the