"Sire, may I beg your forgiveness for one of your subordinates?"
"It is granted, Madame ... if what you tell me comes true...."
"Your Majesty will permit me to be present at the Gare du Nord when you leave this evening."
A taxi arrived at the lake. Juve sprang out of it.
The detective bit his lip and swore upon seeing a superb limousine in which he saw seated Frederick-Christian and the Marquis de Sérac.
"Too late again!" he muttered. "I miss Lady Beltham at the America Hotel; I miss the King at the skating. At least, let me make sure that the so-called Grand Duchess is still here."
A thorough search on the ice and among the crowd on shore failed to discover the lady, who had doubtless left at the same time as the King. While skating from group to group Juve was brought up by a conversation in low tones between M. Annion and M. Lepine. Hiding behind a tree, he listened attentively.
"Well, you know the last news?"
"Yes," declared M. Annion, "but it seems very extraordinary."