kingdom's creditor," he said, smiling at the diplomat, whom
nothing had escaped. "I am afraid, however, that your request
has been submitted too late. At ten o'clock this morning the
transfer of the certificates would have been a simple matter.
There are twenty in all; it may not be too late to secure some
of them." He looked tranquilly from the Englishman to the king.

The smiling mask fell from the king's face; he felt that he was
lost. He tried to catch his friend's eye, but the diplomat was
deeply interested in the console of the fireplace.

"They seem to be at a premium," the Englishman said, "which
speaks well for the prosperity of the country. I am sorry to
have troubled you."

"It would have been a pleasure indeed," replied the count. He
stood secure within his fortress, so secure that he would have
liked to laugh.

"It is too bad," said the king, pulling his thoughts together.

"Your Majesty is giving the matter too much importance," said
the diplomat. "It was merely a whim. I shall have the pleasure
and honor of presenting my successor this evening."

The count bent low, while the king nodded absently. He was
thinking that a penful of ink, carelessly trailed over a sheet
of paper, had lost him his throne. He was about to draw the arm
of the diplomat through his own, when his step was arrested by
the entrance of a messenger who presented a letter to the