“You will excuse me,” he said.
The king nodded and the prince went slowly out.
“I did not suppose it would be such a blow to him,” said the king, as the door closed behind Danilo. “I do not understand it. Unless he has been losing again—but he has no money.”
“No,” agreed the baron; “and I know of no way he could secure any.”
Selden managed to keep an impassive face, but he was smiling inwardly. Evidently the prince had sources of supply unknown to the baron.
“Whatever it is,” said the king, “let us hope it will make him more serious. Continue, baron.”
The baron paced up and down for a moment, his chin in his hand.
“Of course she will marry Jeneski,” he said, at last, and glanced at his master.
“Yes, I understand, Lappo,” said the king quietly. “You would say that it is finished—that the game is up. Well, we shall see—I have confidence in my star! At least ... what was that?”
From somewhere in the house had come a muffled report as of a door slamming—or a pistol-shot....