“You understand, of course, that events in my career have followed one another in the most rapid succession during the past few months; and regarding some of the most important details I am entirely uninformed. You will be surprised, perhaps, to learn, for instance, that I do not know with any degree of definiteness how my identity was established. Herr Schlippenbach was my discoverer, of course, but with whom did he consult here and by what means was it made clear that I am really the abducted heir of the Budavian crown?”
Count von Ritter listened to the question with growing suspicion. Here were, perhaps, the first indications of that insanity of which Lindenwald had spoken.
“It does seem hardly possible, your Royal Highness,” he replied, “that on such a vital matter you should have been left in ignorance. It was, I think, nearly a year ago that the first communication from the Herr Doctor Schlippenbach was brought to me by Herr Professor Trent.”
“And who is Herr Professor Trent?” Grey asked, quickly.
“The Herr Professor,” answered the Chancellor, “is the head of the University of Kürschdorf.”
“And his reputation is, of course, beyond reproach, eh?”
“Quite beyond reproach, your Royal Highness.”
“And what steps followed?” Grey pursued, inquisitorially, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair.
“I took up the matter personally,” the Count responded, with frankness. “I entered into correspondence with Schlippenbach at once, and after some months of writing back and forth he placed before me a very circumstantial story, which he afterward confirmed with documentary evidence—old letters, photographs, affidavits.”
“And then?”