With quick steps and a mind deeply disturbed, he covered the short distance back to the Rose-Palace. He found the door to Franka’s apartments open; the anteroom was empty, and he knocked at the salon door and entered.
Frau von Rockhaus came to meet him: “Oh, Your Royal Highness....”
“May I speak with Fräulein Garlett?”
“Franka is not at home. How sorry she will be—”
“No, no, my dear lady, she must not be denied to me.... I must speak with her—it is too important.”
“On my word of honor, she is not in. She went out a quarter of an hour ago with Miss Toker. She did not go down to the déjeuner, and so Miss Toker came to see what had become of her and persuaded her to take a drive—the fresh air would do her good.”
“Then I will wait till she returns.”
“The two ladies will not be back before five o’clock. Their intention was to go to a place of resort, quite a distance away.”
“What was the name of the place?”
“I do not remember the name.”