A quarter of an hour passed, and the prince beckoned to the general.
"What is the meaning of this delay?" he demanded haughtily.
"His lordship's second has not arrived, your highness."
The prince's face darkened.
"It is a trick—a subterfuge!" he said, with suppressed rage. "When he comes, he will be accompanied by the police, no doubt."
The words were spoken with such an icy distinctness that they reached Blair.
His face flushed, and he flung his cigar away and approached the others.
"Some accident has detained my friend, general," he said. "It is getting late, and if we wait any longer we may be disturbed. Will one of you gentlemen do me the favor of acting for me?"
The two men looked blank; such an arrangement was utterly opposite to all etiquette.
Blair smiled cheerfully.