"Taxes!" The princess' eyes clouded. "Why must they fret me with their miserable woes? I know nothing of taxes. Bid them see my father." Marta cringed humbly. "They have tried to, Highness, but without success. That is why they have come here. To beg your intercession--" "I cannot see them," said Lenore. "Tell them to go away. I am busy." "But, Highness--" "Away, I said!" The princess' voice was silken-soft no longer; it flamed with sudden petulance. "I am too busy to hear their petty grievances. Send them away! And you, too!" With abrupt, feline violence she snatched a handful of baubles from the table before her, hurled them at the aged servant. Marta stood like a withered Danae beneath the rich rain, whined, "Yes, Highness," and disappeared. The princess shut intrusion from her mind as the door closed. She turned once more to her playthings, picked up and fondled a pendant of intricately interwoven sapphire and _tolumnis_. Its green-and-scarlet flame burned cold against the smooth satin of her breast. She hummed softly to herself, happy.... It was then the voice spoke. The voice was a man's voice. Its masculine deepness was like the rasp of grating steel in the languid femininity of this room. "_Send them away, eh, Princess? Very well. As you have judged, so shall it also be judged against you!_" The Princess Lenore whirled to the doorway, startled white hands leaping to her throat. Her gray-green eyes were wide with shock ... and horror. They widened even more as they found ... no one! "Wh-where are you?" she gasped. "Who dares enter the boudoir of the Princess Lenore?" She heard no sound of footsteps, but the voice drew nearer with each word. "_I so dare, Princess._" "And ... and who are you?" "_My name does not matter. But you may call me Conscience, if you must give me a name. For I am the Conscience of an empire._" The voice was beside Lenore now. She spun swiftly, her hands seeking emptiness about her. "It is a trick! Someone will die for this! Leave! Leave this instant, or I call the guard--" The voice of "Conscience" laughed. "_Call the guard if you will, Princess. I will have gone ere they arrive ... and these with me!_" This time the sound came from _behind_ her. Again the girl whirled, this time to see a stupefying sight. As if imbued with eerie lapidary life, the jewels were rising from her dressing-table in great handfuls. Leaping clots of rich iridescence climbed into thin air ... and vanished! * * * * * Up till now the princess had been overwhelmed with shock; now she was struck to the quick with another emotion. She screamed aloud and darted forward in defense of her precious gems. "Stop! They are mine! How dare you--?"