insists upon ten hours' sleep."

She sighed like a disappointed child.

"Very well." She paused for a moment to listen. "Wasn't that a car?" she
asked.

"Some of our guests going early, I dare say," he replied, as he turned
away.



CHAPTER XXIII

Seaman did not at once start on his mission to the Princess. He made
his way instead to the servants' quarters and knocked at the door of the
butler's sitting-room. There was no reply. He tried the handle in vain.
The door was locked. A tall, grave-faced man in sombre black came out
from an adjoining apartment.

"You are looking for the person who arrived this evening from abroad,
sir?" he enquired.

"I am," Seaman replied. "Has he locked himself in?"

"He has left the Hall, sir!"

"Left!" Seaman repeated. "Do you mean gone away for good?"

"Apparently, sir. I do not understand his language myself, but I