“There are no servants, and I don’t know how to get in. It’s very awkward, because I’m expecting a--a friend to call.” “With my assistance,” said the Duke deferentially, “your Grace might effect an entry by the window.” “True!” cried the young man. “Bring your lantern and give me a light. Look here, I don’t want this talked about.” “It is a matter quite between ourselves, your Grace,” the Duke assured him, as he led the way to the window. “By-the-by, you might help me in another matter if you like. I’ll make it worth your while.” “I shall be very glad,” said the Duke. “Could you be spared from your beat for an hour?” “It might be possible.” “Good. Come in with me, and we’ll talk it over.” The Duke had by this time opened the window of his villa; he gave the young man a leg-up, and afterwards climbed in himself. “Shut the window again,” commanded the stranger. “Oh, and you might as well just close the shutters.” “Certainly, your Grace,” said the Duke, and he did as he was bid. The young man began to move round the room, examining the articles that furnished the side-tables and decorated the walls. The Duke of Belleville had been for a year or two an eager collector of antique plate, and had acquired some fine specimens in both gold and silver. Some of these were now in the villa, and the young man scrutinised them with close attention. “Dear me,” said he in a vexed tone, as he returned to the hearth, “I thought the Queen Bess flagon was here. Surely I sent it here from Belleville Castle!” The Duke smiled; the Queen Bess flagon had never been at Belleville Castle, and it was now in a small locked cabinet which stood on the mantelpiece. He made no remark; a suspicion had begun to take shape in his mind concerning this strange visitor. Two thousand seven hundred and forty guineas was the price that he had paid for the Queen Bess flagon; all the other specimens in the little room, taken together, might be worth perhaps a quarter as much. “Your Grace spoke of some other matter in which I might assist you?” he suggested, for the young man seemed to have fallen into a reverie. “Why, yes. As I tell you, I expect a friend; and it looks very absurd to have no servant. You’re sure to find a suit of dress clothes in my bedroom. Pray put them on and represent my valet. You can resume your uniform afterwards.”