The Spectator., 1915-12-14

 communication which he desired to make to Count Frederick at once.
 "Confound his royal highness!" ex- claimed Frederick to himself. "I never leave him but he asks me back at once. He is always in some trouble, and am ill-disposed now to be nurse to any king, for I have affairs of my own to trouble me sufficiently"
 Nevertheless, grumbling, he went his way to the palace, for the royal will was something not yet at least to be set aside.
 Good Count Frederick" Michael greeted him. q asked your return be- cause of sudden thought that had come to my mind"
 As to what, your majesty? Did 1t come to you alone, unassisted?"
 The king was too much preoccupied to concern himself with sarcasm.
 "Yes, assuredly. It Is regarding the coin"
 The coin! I thought your majesty cared little for it-so little that you gave it away unasked to one who is not even of our country-a stranger the young American"
 Precisely. That is true. And had cause for my act. But, see you, one does not make gifts unrequited. Now the young American has disappeared. and so has the coin. Perhaps, rather, I should reverse that, and say that the coin has disappeared and with it the young American. At least, that is to say-they both are gone. So l sent for you my dear Frederick, to tell me what to do"
 The nobleman stood for moment but half concealing his real feelings, gauging the man before him, this imi- tation of king.
 She was a most charming young person." began the king. trying to conceal his own thoughts. Do you not think such hair as hers is rare?"
 Rare, indeed, your majesty-she is in all things rare.' suddenly ex- claimed the count.
 ADu where IS SHe SOle
 q do not know-I have no idea"
 But you can find her-you certainly can bring her back"
 'I hope 1t, your majesty-I hope it very much. But then, as to the coin?' he added, somewhat maliciously-for he knew well enough where sat the wind in royal quarters.
 "Oh, yes, about the coin. Well, was only going to ask you to find it for me"
 That seems simple, your majesty! Even though do not know where the young girl is"
 That is why l ask you, my dear count"
 Agreed then, your majesty. Of what use is a servant of the king If he cannot do the kings will? l ac- cept your errand I will soon return to you the coin-at least, l hope so. After all, perhaps it has no such value as you seem to think-l am sure it has less value for you than other things that we might mention.
 Count Frederick did not add aloud what was in his own mind-the truth that the coin had more value for him than he at any time before now had believed.
 Presently he excused himself from the royal presence and departed to put into effect little plan of his own which he fancied might blunt both horns of this dilemma into which the naivete of King Michael so suddenly had placed him.
 As luck would have it, there had been thrown into bis hands the kings half of the coin.
 Count Frederick thought for a mo- ment before he made a plan. Then he made a hurried journey to a cer- tain .silversmith in whose skill he had much confidence.
 Make me-" he said as he laid upon the counter his piece of the coin-"a replica of this-absolutely, line for line, so that l myself cannot tell the two apart. Do you hear me? Can it be done?"
 Yes. excellency." said the workman, ''it can be done-so nicely that l my self scarcely could tell them apart"
 Then quick with it." said Count Frederick. How soon?"
 By tomorrow, excellency, promise you a duplicate"
 1t was therefore on the morrow that Count Frederick was able once more to visit the royal palace with a mind more at peace with circum- stances. With him he carried what was apparently the kings half of the coin which he had given to the young American so carelessly, and which now at once he coveted again-since the young American herself was gone.
 50 soon!" exclaimed Michael. You arc the acme of punctilicusness and efficiency, my dear count. You are indeed a man of results. Go now to my cabinet again and help yourself to such jewels as you fancy"
 No more, your majesty, thank