It was very brief—reciting the death of Frederick the Fourth, the disappearance of the Book of Laws, the stipulation of the Archduke and the Duke relative to the Succession remaining in abeyance, the creation of a Regency during the inter-regnum and the Princess’ acceptance of the office.
When he had done, she asked if there were any suggestions, and none being offered, she signed it and returned it to the Count. Immediately the Council arose and she and Armand retired, by the same way they had entered.
As they passed through the library, Dehra went over to the desk.
“Here is where the King sat that last night,” she said, “and here the Book of Laws lay, and here was the box. I can’t imagine what he did with the Book—nor why he removed it from the box—and the box was in its usual place in the vault when I gave it to you to take to the Council——”
A door latch clicked, and Adolph, the valet, came in hurriedly.
“Well?” said the Archduke, seeing he wished to speak.
“The box, my lord,” he answered; “you left it in the council-chamber—is it to remain there?”
“No,” said the Princess—“bring it here at once.” She went to the vault and opened it.... “Put it on the shelf in the rear,” she ordered, when Adolph returned. He obeyed and gave her the key.
“There was no need to lock it,” she remarked.
“It has a spring lock, mademoiselle,” said the man. “It snapped when I closed the lid.”