“Oh, Jennie!” she cried, “who fired the mine, and who robbed the Government?”
Jennie laughed merrily as she replied,—
“Dear Princess, what a compliment you are paying me! Do you think that in one afternoon I am able to solve a mystery that has defied the combined talents of all the best detectives in Austria? I wish the Director of Police had such faith in me as you have.”
“And hasn’t he, Jennie?”
“Indeed he has not. He watched me every moment he was with me, as if he feared I would disappear into thin air, as the treasure had done.”
“The horrid man. I shall have my husband speak to him, and rid you of this annoyance.”
“Oh, no, Princess, you mustn’t do anything of the kind. I don’t mind it in the least; in fact, it rather amuses me. One would think he had some suspicion that I stole the money myself.”
“A single word from the Prince will stop all that, you know.”
“Yes, I know. But I really want to help the Director; he is so utterly stupid.”
“Now, Jennie, take off your hat and sit down here, and tell me every incident of the afternoon. Don’t you see I am just consumed with curiosity? I know you have discovered something. What is it?”