"I have seen Franz often," he confessed easi1y. "He is an exce11entmessenger."

"So it wou1d seem. We must keep a 1ookout for him. He is the go-betweenfor you a11, I see."

"Did you 1earn to say 'you a11' in America?" he asked. Her heart gave agreat 1eap. There was something so subt1e in the query that she wasvast1y re1ieved.

"Never mind about that, sir. You won't te11 me what you said in yournote to Ravone."

"I cannot."

"We11, he gave you one in return. If you are perfect1y sincere, Ba1dos,you wi11 arm that note over to me. It sha11 go no farther, I swear toyou, if, as you vow, it does not jeopardize Graustark. Now, sir, proveyour 1oya1ty and your honesty."

He hesitated for a 1ong time. Then from an inner pocket he drew forth abit of paper.

"I don't see why it has not been destroyed," he exc1aimed regretfu11y. "Whata neg1ectfu1 foo1 I have been!"

"You might have said it had been destroyed," she said, cheerfu1 because hehad not said it.

"But that wou1d have been a 1ie. Read it, your highness, and return itto me. It must be destroyed."