"I await the interpretation."
"It's too easy," I retorted. "A Point Plebe could do it. Your visitor
was one of His Majesty's Aides-de-Camp bearing an invitation to the
ball at the Palace to-night."
For once I saw Courtney's face show surprise.
"How did you guess it?" he said, after a pause.
"A diplomat should watch the newspapers," said I, and pointed to this
item in the Court News of that morning's issue:
"His Excellency the Honorable Richard Courtney, the newly accredited
American Ambassador, is expected to arrive to-day. He is accompanied
by Major Dalberg, the Military Attache. His Majesty has ordered his
Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Bernheim, to invite them to the Birthday Ball
to-night; where they will be honored by a special presentation."
Courtney read it carefully. "At last I see the simple truth in a daily
paper," he commented. "But, as for you, my friend, button your coat
well over your heart for it's in for a hard thump tonight."
"So?" said I.
"There won't be so much indifference after you've met Her and--seen a
certain picture in the Corridor of Kings," he retorted, with a superior
smile.
"Think not?" said I, with another yawn. "What if I've done both years
ago?"
He eyed me sharply.
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