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the Yellow Crayon； of which your Majesty is the titular head。〃
〃The Order of the Yellow Crayon；〃 the Emperor said thoughtfully；
〃is society composed of aristocrats pledged to resist the march of
socialism。 It is true that I am the titular head of this
organisation。 What have you to say about it？〃
〃Only that your Majesty has been wholly deceived；〃 Mr。 Sabin said
respectfully； 〃concerning the methods and the working of this
society。 Its inception and inauguration were above reproach。 I
myself at once became a member。 My wife； Countess of Radantz； and
sole representative of that ancient family； has been one all her
life。〃
The Emperor inclined his head towards Lucille。
〃I see no reason；〃 he said； 〃when our capitals are riddled with
secret societies； all banded together against us； why the great
families of Europe should not in their turn come together and
display a united front against this common enemy。 The Order of
the Yellow Crayon has had more than my support。 It has had the
sanction of my name。 Tell me what you have against it。〃
〃I have grave things to say concerning it；〃 Mr。 Sahin answered；
〃and concerning those who have wilfully deceived your Majesty。
The influences to be wielded by the society were mainly； I believe；
wealth； education； and influence。 There was no mention made of
murder； of an underground alliance with the 'gamins' of Paris； the
dregs of humanity； prisoners； men skilled in the art of secret
death。〃
The Emperor's tone was stern； almost harsh。
〃Duc de Souspennier； what are these things which you are saying？〃
he asked。
〃Your Majesty； I speak the truth；〃 Mr。 Sabin answered firmly。
〃There are in the Order of the Yellow Crayon three degrees of
membership。 The first； which alone your Majesty knows of； simply
corresponds with what in England is known as the Primrose League。
The second knows that beneath is another organisation pledged to
frustrate the advance of socialism； if necessary by the use of
their own weapons。 The third； whose meetings and signs and whose
whole organisation is carried on secretly； is allied in every
capital in Europe with criminals and murderers。 With its great
wealth it has influence in America as well as in every city of
the world where there are police to be suborned； or desperate men
to be bought for tools。 At the direction of this third order
Lavinski died suddenly in the Hungarian House of Parliament； Herr
Krettingen was involved in a duel； the result of which was assured
beforehand； and Reginald Brott； the great English statesman； was
ruined and disgraced。 I myself have just narrowly escaped death
at his hands； and in my place my servant has been driven to death。
Of all these things； your Majesty； I have brought proofs。〃
The Emperor's face was like a carven image； but his tone was cold
and terrible。
〃If these things have been sanctioned；〃 he said； 〃by those who are
responsible for my having become the head of the Order； they shall
feel my vengeance。〃
〃Your Majesty；〃 Mr。 Sabin said earnestly； 〃a chance disclosure； and
all might come to light。 I myself could blazon the story through
Europe。 Those who are responsible for the third degree of the Order
of the Yellow Crayon； and for your Majesty's ignorance concerning
its existence； have trifled with the destiny of the greatest
sovereign of modern times。〃
〃The Prince of Saxe Leinitzer；〃 the Emperor said； 〃is the acting
head of the Order。〃
〃The Prince of Saxe Leinitzer；〃 Mr。 Sabin said firmly； 〃is
responsible for the existence of the third degree。 It is he who
has connected the society with a system of corrupt police or
desperate criminals in every great city。 It is the Prince of Saxe
Leinitzer； your Majesty； and his horde of murderers from whom I
have come to seek your Majesty's protection。 I have yet another
charge to make against him。 He has made； and is making still； use
of the society to further his own private intrigues。 In the name
of the Order he brought my wife from America。 She faithfully
carried out the instructions of the Council。 She brought about
the ruin of Reginald Brott。 By the rules of the society she was
free then to return to her home。 The Prince； who had been her
suitor； declined to let her go。 My life was attempted。 The story
of the Prince's treason is here； with the necessary proofs。 I
know that orders have been given to the hired murderers of the
society for my assassination。 My life even here is probably an
uncertain thing。 But I have told your Majesty the truth； and the
papers which I have brought with me contain proof of my words。〃
The Emperor struck a bell and gave a few orders to the young officer
who immediately answered it。 Then he turned again to Mr。 Sabin。
〃I have summoned Saxe Leinitzer to Berlin；〃 he said。 〃These matters
shall be gone into most thoroughly。 In the meantime what can I do
for you？〃
〃We will await the coming of the Prince；〃 Mr。 Sabin answered grimly。
* * * * *
Lady Carey passed from her bath…room into a luxurious little
dressing…room。 Her letters and coffee were on a small table near
the fire； an easy…chair was drawn up to the hearthrug。 She fastened
the girdle of her dressing…gown； and dismissed her maid。
〃I will ring for you in half an hour； Annette；〃 she said。 〃See that
I am not disturbed。〃
On her way to the fireplace she paused for a moment in front of a
tall looking…glass； and looked steadily at her own reflection。
〃I suppose；〃 she murmured to herself； 〃that I am looking at my best
now。 I slept well last night； and a bath gives one colour； and
white is so becoming。 Still； I don't know why I failed。 She may
be a little better looking； but my figure is as good。 I can talk
better； I have learnt how to keep a man from feeling dull； and there
is my reputation。 Because I played at war correspondence； wore a
man's clothes； and didn't shriek when I was under fire； people have
chosen to make a heroine of me。 That should have counted for
something with him … and it didn't。 I could have taken my choice
of any man in London … and I wanted him。 And I have failed！〃
She threw herself back in her easy…chair and laughed softly。
〃Failed！ What an ugly word！ He is old； and he limps； and I … well；
I was never a very bashful person。 He was beautifully polite； but
he wouldn't have anything to say to me。〃
She began to tear open her letters savagely。
〃Well； it is over。 If ever anybody speaks to me about it I think
that I shall kill them。 That fool Saxe Leinitzer will stroke his
beastly moustache； and smile at me out of the corners of his eyes。
The Dorset woman； too … bah； I shall go away。 What is it； Annette？〃
〃His Highness the Prince of Saxe Leinitzer has called； milady。〃
〃Called！ Does he regard this as a call？〃 she exclaimed； glancing
towards the clock。 〃Tell him； Annette； that your mistress does not
receive at such an hour。 Be quick； child。 Of course I know that
he gave you a sovereign to persuade me that it was important； but I
won't see him； so be off。〃
〃But yes； milady；〃 Annette answered； and disappeared。
Lady Carey sipped her coffee。
〃I