"But that you are uninjured," remarked one, "I should almost say it was
a case of attempted assassination."
I laughed. "An assassination would fit in well with the costumes and
the garden--everything is mediaeval to-night."
"Except the electric lights," Moore threw in, dryly; and we bowed
ourselves away.
"I suppose we may now assume that somebody knows my disguise," I
observed. "Did you see my friend with the dagger?"
"Yes--as much of him as there was to see--he wore a long black cloak
and was rather above medium size. If Your Highness had not stopped me
I might have caught him."
"That's just why I stopped you," said I. "I didn't want to embarrass
the De Vierles. Think what it would mean to them to have it known that
one of their guests had attempted to stab to death an Archduke."
"Hum--I don't see why that is more important than protecting your life."
"My dear Colonel," said I, "if it were a question between my life and
Lady Vierle's temporary embarrassment, I would look after my life. But
my life is still safe, and in no more danger with that rogue at large
than with him caught."
"It would be one less scoundrel for Lotzen to work with," Moore
objected.
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