"Are you aware," went on the Chancellor, who had not touched the undercurrent, "that you are guilty of a grave crime?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Which is punishable by long imprisonment?"
The innkeeper bent his head.
"What have you to say in your defense?"
"Nothing," tranquilly meeting the frowning eyes of the King.
"What was your object in defrauding the Princess—" the Chancellor opened one of the documents which lay before him—"the Princess Elizabeth of her rights?"
"I desired the Princess Hildegarde to possess all," was the answer. It
was also a challenge to the Prince to refute the answer if he dared.
"I acknowledge that I have committed a crime. I submit to His
Majesty's will," bowing reverentially.
The King was stroking his chin, a sign of deep meditation in him.
"Let Their Highnesses be brought in," he said at last.