“Easily. I came here, and--well, I suppose I made myself a nuisance, and----” She turned shyly toward the _Chargé_. But that gentleman had calmed down a little. He had remembered that Caruth’s friends were powerful politically and that it might not be well for him to show too much irritation. “Not at all,” he protested. “Not at all. I simply didn’t know what to do under the circumstances. And I’d really be glad if you’d tell me just what you want me to do now.” Caruth smiled. “There’s one thing you can do all right, all right,” he answered happily, “and it won’t compromise you, either. Just call in your Embassy minister and let him marry us as quick as he can say the words. Then if we can get to the _Sea Spume_, we’ll skiddoo and leave you alone forevermore. That’ll be a relief, I know.” The _Chargé’s_ face cleared. “Delighted,” he answered, somewhat ambiguously. “I’ll send for the minister at once. He lives just around the corner. Meanwhile, hadn’t you better--er--send out for some clothes for Miss Fitzhugh? Mr. Forbes is very high church, and I’m not sure that he would consent to marry her under----” But Caruth interrupted. “Sure!” he laughed. “I had forgotten. If you’ll let me get at the ’phone, I’ll ask Mrs. Bristow to get what is needed and hurry it around. Besides, I’d like to have the Bristows here. It will seem more like home.” The _Chargé_ rose. “The telephone is in the next room,” he said. “The messenger will show you. Is there anything else I can do?” The thought of getting rid of the _Sea Spume_ affair made him positively affable. “Nothing, thank you.” As the two went out, a card was brought to the _Chargé_. He scanned it and his face grew grave. For a moment he hesitated; then, “Ask Baron Demidroff to come in,” he directed. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Baron Demidroff entered the office of the Embassy jauntily. Things were coming his way. He had found the Princess and gotten her on his side, and he would soon recover the _Orkney’s_ gold. With such a potent recommendation, he could reëstablish himself in favor, wrest the control of the Princess’s fortune from Count Strogoff, and put that gentleman where he could do no more harm. There was not a cloud on his horizon. But there were a good many on that of the _Chargé_. Ignorant of the true reason of the Baron’s errand he could put but one construction on it: the Baron was coming in person to demand the surrender of Caruth’s bride. He foresaw various unpleasantnesses before the matter was settled. Nevertheless, he rose to greet the Baron warmly. He knew him very well indeed, having, in fact, taught him to play poker at the club only the night before.