the next ten days you will not visit me. You may go now."

Otto got off his chair. He was feeling exceedingly crushed.
"Good-night, sir," he said. And waited for his grandfather to
extend his hand. But the old King lay looking straight ahead,
with his mouth set in grim lines, and his hands folded over his
breast.

At the door the Crown Prince turned and bowed. His grandfather's
eyes were fixed on the two gold eagles over the door, but the
photograph on the table appeared to be smiling at him.




CHAPTER IV

THE TERROR


Until late that night General Mettlich and the King talked
together. The King had been lifted from his bed and sat propped
in a great chair. Above his shabby dressing-gown his face showed
gaunt and old. In a straight chair facing him sat his old friend
and Chancellor.

"What it has shown is not entirely bad," said the King, after a
pause. "The boy has initiative. And he made no attempt at
evasion. He is essentially truthful."