"You have been abroad, perhaps?" the prince inquired.
"I have not been out of Cumberland during the whole of that time," John confessed.
The prince, after a moment's incredulous stare, laughed softly to himself.
"You are a very wonderful person, Mr. Strangewey," he declared. "I have heard of your good fortune. If I can be of any service to you during your stay in town," he added politely, "please command me."
"You are very kind," John replied gratefully.
Louise broke away from the little group and came across toward them.
"Free at last!" she exclaimed. "Now let us go out and have some tea."
They made their way down the little passage and out into the sudden blaze of the sunlit streets. Two cars were drawn up outside the stage door.
"The Carlton or Rumpelmayer's?" asked the prince, who had overtaken them upon the pavement.
"The Carlton, I think," Louise decided. "We can get a quiet table there inside the restaurant. You bring Sophy, will you, Eugène? I am going to take possession of Mr. Strangewey."