"
The Prince nodded.
"It is very well put," he said. "I shall await the result of your
appeal in fear and trembling. I confess that I am very much afraid.
But, come now, I am going to be generous. I am going to help you
on a little. Do you know to whom your appeal must be made?"
"To the Grand Duke!" Mr. Sabin replied.
The Prince shook his head.
"Ah me!" he said, "how long indeed you have been absent from the
world. The Grand Duke is no longer the head of our little affair.
Shall I tell you who has succeeded him?"
"I can easily find out," Mr. Sabin answered.
"Ah, but I warned you that I was in a generous mood," the Prince
said, with a smile. "I will save you the trouble. With your
permission I will whisper the name in your ear. It is not one which
we mention lightly."
He stepped forward and bent his head for a moment. Afterwards, as
he drew back, the smile upon his lips broadened until he showed all
his teeth. It was a veritable triumph. Mr. Sabin, taken wholly
by surprise, had not been able to conceal his consternation.
"It is not possible," he exclaimed hoarsely. "He would not dare."
But in his heart he knew that the Prince had spoken the truth.
CHAPTER XXIII
"After all," said the Prince, looking up from the wine list, "why
cannot I be satisfied with you? And why cannot you be satisfied
with me? It would save so much trouble.
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