"Thank you," he returned gravely.
"Then you succeeded? You have made Marbosa relent? There will be a coronation?" cried Nick.
"I did not succeed. But there will be a coronation at Nischon to-day, never fear. But whether it be the Prince of Dhalmatia or—some one else who is made king, I am not certain. The Prince gave Marbosa quite a scare shortly after you left the lodge. He escaped."
"Yes, yes?" I cried, eager to hear the end of the tale.
"Hurrah for the Prince. There is good stuff in that lad," cried Nick. "Tell me all about it."
"There is nothing to tell, except that the rascal made off with my roan that I wanted to ride in the parade to-day—also with your mare."
"What did he want with two horses? Was there any one with him?"
"No one knows. We had arrived at that stage in the discussion when it was necessary to have a word with the Prince as to his policy with the Turkish problem. If he would consent to continue the present cabinet, and keep his father at home, he had a chance of going free."
"You got that far with Marbosa?"
"Yes; we sent for the lad, but could not find him. Some one said he had probably retired. We searched all the bed rooms. The Prince was not in the lodge. It is a great mystery how he escaped. At first the absence of my horse at the gate did not disturb me. I thought your party had taken it in their haste—"