was paramount.

After a few minutes of waiting the servant returned with the king's

command to fetch the prisoners to his apartments. The face of the

Princess Emma was haggard. For the first time Barney saw signs of

fear upon her countenance. With leaden steps they accompanied their

guard up the winding stairway to the tower rooms that had been

furnished for the king. They were the same in which Emma von der

Tann had been imprisoned two years before.

On either side of the doorway stood a soldier of the king's

bodyguard. As Captain Maenck approached they saluted. A servant

opened the door and they passed into the room. Before them were

Peter of Blentz and Von Coblich standing beside a table at which

Leopold of Lutha was sitting. The eyes of the three men were upon

the doorway as the little party entered. The king's face was flushed

with wine. He rose as his eyes rested upon the face of the princess.

"Greetings, your highness," he cried with an attempt at cordiality.

The girl looked straight into his eyes, coldly, and then bent her

knee in formal curtsy. The king was about to speak again when his

eyes wandered to the face of the American. Instantly his own went

white and then scarlet. The eyes of Peter of Blentz followed those

of the king, widening in astonishment as they rested upon the

features of Barney Custer.

"You told me he was dead," shouted the king. "What is the meaning

of this, Captain Maenck?"

Maenck looked at his male prisoner and staggered back as though

struck between the eyes.

"Mein Gott," he exclaimed, "the impostor!"

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>