Part 40 (2/2)

She saw she had gone too far.

”Armand!” she cried, ”Armand! stay-I'll be good-I'll be good.”-She sprang forward and caught his arm-”Don't go-think of what I can show you.”

”Then show it, madame,” he answered, facing her and so displacing her hand; ”show it; and leave off personalities.”

Without replying, she went to a window, and drew the shade aside a little way.

”Yes, he is there,” she said, ”but Bigler is with him ... ah! he is going-now, we shan't have long to wait.”-She motioned the Archduke to her. ”See-there shouldn't be any doubt of the identification, if he give you a chance to see it.”

He went over and looked. She was right; nor would they need the field gla.s.s to recognize it. Fifty yards away, in the opposite wing, were Lotzen's apartments-his library windows raised, the shades high up, the curtains drawn back; and he, himself, at the big table under the chandelier, a twin drop-light focused on the writing pad.

And even while the Archduke looked, Lotzen arose and from the safe behind him took out a package wrapped in black.

”That's it!” Madeline Spencer exclaimed, ”that's it!-Here is the gla.s.s--”

He lingered for another glance, before summoning the others-and Mrs.

Spencer forestalled him.

She ran to the door and flung it wide.

”Come,” she said, ”come--His Highness needs you.”

The Princess had been talking to Colonel Moore, her back to the door; as it opened, she threw up her head, and turned with an eager smile, thinking it was Armand-and so gave Mrs. Spencer a full view of her face.

Then Moore stepped quickly between them and suavely bowed Mrs. Spencer into her boudoir; the next moment the Archduke was there.

”With your permission, madame, we will extinguish the lights,” he said, ”and raise the shades.”

She smiled maliciously, deliberately moving near enough to see the Princess over Moore's shoulder.

”Extinguish the lights?” she laughed, ”certainly; darkness will be better for the business, and will conceal-everyone,” and herself went over to the main switch at the corridor door and pushed it open.

The Princess caught Armand's hand.

”She recognized me,” she whispered.

”Oh, no, dear; you're only nervous,” he answered-though he was satisfied she was right. ”Keep your hat well down, and don't look at her; the moment you have identified the Book, we will leave; you go with Moore; I'll engage the vixen until you're out of range.”

He had led her to a window and raised the shade. The lights from the Duke's library leaped across the garden court at them, but he, himself, was not visible, though on the table lay the package, still wrapped in black as when taken from the safe. Some one came behind them, and Armand glanced over his shoulder-it was Mrs. Spencer, and she was looking at the Princess; nor did she cease, though she knew his eyes were on her; instead, she smiled and shot him a quick glance, and resumed the looking.

He felt Dehra begin to tremble-whether with anger or nerves, he could not tell-and Mrs. Spencer spoke.

”Your Highness' companion is evidently unused to adventures, despite his uniform; he is actually twitching with excitement.”

”Or with the temptation of your proximity,” Armand replied giving her his back. And Dehra laughed softly.

Colonel Moore had been at another window; now he came over, and, in the most casual way, found Mrs. Spencer's hand and gave it a familiar squeeze.

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