Prince Ferdinand William Otto went up the stone staircase. Here
and there he passed guards who stared and saluted. Had he not
been obsessed with the vision of Miss Braithwaite, he would have
known that relief followed in his wake. Messengers clattered
down the staircase to the courtyard. Other messengers,
breathless and eager, flew to that lighted wing where the Council
sat, and where the old King, propped up in bed, waited and fought
terror.

The Archduchess Annunciata was with her father. Across the
corridor the Council debated in low tones.

"Tell me again," said the King. "How in God's name could it have
happened? In daylight, and with all of you there!"

"I have told you all I know," said the Archduchess impatiently.
"One moment he was there. Hedwig and he were making gestures,
and I reproved him. The next he was gone. Hedwig saw him get up
and go out. She thought - "

"Send for Hedwig."

"She has retired. She was devoted to him, and - "

"Send for her," said the King shortly.

The Archduchess Annunciata went out. The old King lay back, and
his eyes, weary with many years of ruling, of disappointments and
bitterness, roved the room. They came to rest at last on the
photograph of a young man, which stood on his bedside, table.