The letters lay face downward, of course, and I opened them in their
order without bothering to examine the superscription. Presently, I
came upon one sealed with a blurred dab of green wax. Rather curious,
I turned it over; it was unstamped and was marked: "Personal and
Important." I did not know the hand-writing; but, then, Lady Helen
Radnor's was the only one in all Dornlitz I could have known.
"Here," said I to Courtney, "is a letter marked 'Personal and
Important'; what is it; an invitation to contribute to the
professionally destitute?"
"More likely an invitation to some gambling den."
I tossed it over. "Take a look at it and guess again," I said.
He glanced languidly at the envelope; then picked it up quickly and
scrutinized it sharply.
"We both are wrong," he said, and he motioned for the servant to return
it to me.
I knew he had recognized the writing and that it called for more
respect than a careless fling across the table. I broke the seal and
drew out the letter. It bore the Royal Arms over the word "Dornlitz."
Beneath, it read:
"MY DEAR COUSIN:
"His Majesty has told me of the meeting in the Library this morning. I
know I have no right to meddle--but, won't you please accept and come
back to your own? The King wants you.
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