She drew his head down and whispered in his ear.
“May I come in and say good night for two minutes?”
He smiled—a wonderfully kind smile—but shook his head.
“Not to-night, dear,” he replied. “The Prince loves to sit up late, and I shall be downstairs with him. Besides, that bully of a doctor of yours insists upon ten hours' sleep.”
She sighed like a disappointed child.
“Very well.” She paused for a moment to listen. “Wasn't that a car?” she asked.
“Some of our guests going early, I dare say,” he replied, as he turned away.
CHAPTER XXIII
Seaman did not at once start on his mission to the Princess. He made his way instead to the servants' quarters and knocked at the door of the butler's sitting-room. There was no reply. He tried the handle in vain. The door was locked. A tall, grave-faced man in sombre black came out from an adjoining apartment.