Although he had been willing to march upon his doom, he was
overjoyed to yield to friendly violence, and return once more to
life and hope.

"You can thank me effectually enough," replied the Colonel, "by
avoiding all such dangers in the future. And as for your second
question, all has been managed by the simplest means. I arranged
this afternoon with a celebrated detective. Secrecy has been
promised and paid for. Your own servants have been principally
engaged in the affair. The house in Box Court has been surrounded
since nightfall, and this, which is one of your own carriages, has
been awaiting you for nearly an hour."

"And the miserable creature who was to have slain me - what of
him?" inquired the Prince.

"He was pinioned as he left the club," replied the Colonel, "and
now awaits your sentence at the Palace, where he will soon be
joined by his accomplices."

"Geraldine," said the Prince, "you have saved me against my
explicit orders, and you have done well. I owe you not only my
life, but a lesson; and I should be unworthy of my rank if I did
not show myself grateful to my teacher. Let it be yours to choose
the manner."

There was a pause, during which the carriage continued to speed
through the streets, and the two men were each buried in his own
reflections. The silence was broken by Colonel Geraldine.