"Preliminaries are often most important."
"Not here," said I. "What I want to consult you about is this: The King has asked me to accept the titles of old Hugo, and to take my place at Court."
Courtney laid the paper-cutter carefully on the blotter, and drawing out his cigarette case, he selected one and slowly lit it. I knew his way and waited patiently.
"And Lotzen—and the Crown?" he said presently.
"Do you care for the whole story?" I asked.
"Yes, let me have it all," and, settling back in his chair, he closed his eyes and prepared to listen.
Then I told him everything of the meeting with the King in his library, repeating, as well as I could remember, Frederick's exact language, describing his attitude toward me and his evident desire in the matter.
"That is the situation and the problem," I ended, "and the answer is due to-morrow, I am to dine at the Summer Palace."
Courtney sat up and began to polish his eye-glasses. "I assume you have made no decision?" he asked presently.
"If I had," said I, "I would have gone to bed."