Part 5 (2/2)
”That royal prince was specially commanded not to go to this one,” said the prince.
”It was bad enough,” resumed Dumergue, ”that it should be discovered that the princess' favorite lady-in-waiting, the Countess von Hohstein----”
”Who bore such a high character,” interjected the prince.
”Did go, and, moreover, went under the escort of an unknown gentleman--a gentleman whose name she refused to give.”
”Was that discovered?” said I.
”It was. This baron detected her, and, with a view, as we have reason to believe, to compelling her companion to declare himself, publicly insulted her.”
”Whereupon,” said the prince, ”you very properly knocked him down, Mr.
Jason.”
”I beg your pardon, sir?”
”The princess,” continued Dumergue, ”was terribly agitated and annoyed at the scandal and the duel which followed. And of course the countess left the court, and returned to England.”
”To England?”
”Yes; she was a Miss Mason. The king enn.o.bled her at the princess'
request.”
I smiled and said:
”And now there is a question about who her escort was?”
”There is,” said Dumergue. ”It is believed that the baron entertains an extraordinary idea that the gentleman in question was no other than----”
”Myself,” said the prince, throwing away his cigarette.
I remembered the baron's strange questions before the duel.
”Dispose of me as you please, sir,” said I.
”Then you were at the ball, and knocked the baron down!” exclaimed Dumergue.
”A thousand thanks,” said the prince.
”But what are we to do with him now, sir?” asked Dumergue. ”The princess will be expecting him.”
”I will go and tell the princess of Mr. Jason's confession. You go with Mr. Jason, and tell the baron that the princess cannot receive him. I want him to see Mr. Jason.”
”But, sir,” said I, ”I didn't fight under my own name.”
The prince was already gone, and Dumergue was halfway down the stairs. I followed the latter.
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