Therefore a young lieutenant running into debt on his pay may
without presumption dream of a princess.

All through the Palace people were sleeping. Prince Ferdinand
William Otto was asleep, and riding again the little car in the
Land of Delight. So that, turning a corner sharply, he almost
fell out of bed.

On the other side of the city the little American boy was asleep
also. At that exact time he was being tucked up by an entirely
efficient and placid-eyed American mother, who felt under his
head to see that his ear was not turned forward. She liked
close-fitting ears.

Nobody, naturally, was tucking up Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Or attending to his ears. But, of course, there were sentries
outside his door, and a valet de chambre to be rung for, and a
number of embroidered eagles scattered about on the curtains and
things, and a country surrounding him which would one day be his,
unless -

"At any time," said General Mettlich, and was grimly silent.

It was really no time for such a speech. But there is never a
good time for bad news.

"Well?" inquired the King, after a time. "You have something to
suggest, I take it."

The old soldier cleared his throat. "Sire," he began, "it is