"_Come to me at once. Ailsa_," he read--and was on his way downstairs like a shot. In the lower hall the butler stood, holding his hat and coat ready for him to jump into them at once. "My--er--young servant--quick as you can!" said Cleek, grabbing the hat and hurrying into the coat. "Already outside, sir--in the motor with the gentleman," the butler gave back; then opened the door and stepped aside, holding it back for him and bowing deferentially; and the light of the hall, streaking out into the night, showed a flight of shallow steps, the blue limousine at the foot of them--with Lennard in the driver's seat and Dollops beside him--and standing on the lowest step of all Mr. Narkom holding open the car's door and looking curiously pale and solemn. "What is it? Is she hurt? Has anything happened to her?" Cleek jumbled the three questions into one unbroken breath as he came running down the steps and caught at the superintendent's arm. "Speak up! Don't stand looking at me like a dumb thing! Is anything wrong with Miss Lorne?" "Nothing--nothing at all." "Thank God! Then why? Why? For what reason has she sent for me? Where is she? Speak up!" "In town. Waiting for you. At the Mauravanian embassy." "At the--Good God! How comes she to be _there_?" "I took her. You told me if anything happened to you that I thought she ought to know--Please get in and let us be off, sir--Sire--whichever it ought to be. I don't know the proper form of address. I've never had any personal dealings with royalty before." The hand that rested on his arm tightened its grip the very instant that word royalty passed his lips. Now it relaxed suddenly, dropped away, and he scarcely recognized the voice that spoke next, so unlike to Cleek's it was, so thick was the tremulous note that pulsated through it. "Royalty?" it repeated. "Speak up, please. What have you found out? What do you know of me that you make use of that term?" "What everybody in the world will know by to-morrow. Count Irma has told! Count Irma has come, as the special envoy of the people, for Queen Karma's son! For the King they want! For you!" flung out Narkom, getting excited as he proceeded. "It's all out at last and--I know now. Everybody does. I'm to lose you. Mauravania is to take you from me after all. A palace is to have you--not the Yard. Get in, please, sir--Sire--your Majesty. Get in. They're waiting for you at the embassy. Get in and go! Good luck to you! God bless you! I mean that. It's just about going to break my heart, Cleek, but I mean it every word! Mind the step, Sire. Make room for me on the seat there, you two; and then off to the embassy as fast as you can streak it, Lennard. His Majesty is all ready to start."