"I cannot understand what has happened, even now, your majesty," the

old man was saying. "That you are the true Leopold is all that I am

positive of, for the discomfiture of Prince Peter evidenced that

fact all too plainly. But who the impostor was who ruled Lutha in

your name for two days, disappearing as miraculously as he came, I

cannot guess.

"But for another miracle which preserved you for us in the nick of

time he might now be wearing the crown of Lutha in your stead.

Having Peter of Blentz safely in custody our next immediate task

should be to hunt down the impostor and bring him to justice also;

though"--and the old prince sighed--"he was indeed a brave man, and

a noble figure of a king as he led your troops to battle."

The king had been smiling as Von der Tann first spoke of the

"impostor," but at the old man's praise of the other's bravery a

slight flush tinged his cheek, and the shadow of a scowl crossed his

brow.

"Wait," he said, "we shall not have to look far for your

'impostor,'" and summoning an aide he dispatched him for "Lieutenant

Butzow and Mr. Custer."

A moment later the two entered the audience chamber. Barney found

that Leopold the king, surrounded by comforts and safety, was a very

different person from Leopold the fugitive. The weak face now wore

an expression of arrogance, though the king spoke most graciously to

the American.

"Here, Von der Tann," said Leopold, "is your 'impostor.' But for him

I should doubtless be dead by now, or once again a prisoner at

Blentz."

Barney and Butzow found it necessary to repeat their stories several

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