"You shall stay with us, Stefan," said Maritza.
"I don't think I could have known any real woman before," the soldier muttered.
Ten minutes later they had passed out of the inn yard, and were galloping toward the frontier.
And in the midst of his escort, Lord Cloverton was riding back to Sturatzberg. So far he had succeeded, but he knew how often some little thing destroyed the best-laid scheme. He drove direct to the palace, and was admitted to the King. Queen Elena was with him.
"Do you bring us news of this countryman of yours, my Lord?" said the
King, and he spoke somewhat curtly.
"Or of Princess Maritza?" said the Queen. "It is very strange that neither of them can be found."
"So they have not been found yet?" said the Ambassador.
"No, my Lord; but they will be. I have it on good authority, only a moment ago, that they are even now between Breslen and the frontier. It was cleverly conceived, Lord Cloverton, but it is not too late to stop them," and the King's hand was raised to strike a gong to summon a messenger.
"One moment, your Majesty."
"Why delay?" exclaimed the Queen impatiently. "Every moment is of value. Five minutes have slipped away already since this news was brought to you. Telegraph to the frontier at once. I shall not rest until Maritza is taken."