“Professor,” said Kearns, after they had been conducted to the quarters assigned them in the palace, “didn’t I predict that there were special reasons why we should be welcomed here? With our services in demand and with the freedom of the Imperial Palace, we don’t seem to be doing so badly for wayfarers in a strange land.” “That’s true,” said the Professor. “There is some danger, then, threatening the King?” “Yes.” “Serious?” “From what I can judge of the case thus far,” said Mr. Kearns thoughtfully, “I should say yes! Serious--_quite serious_!” CHAPTER X THE GREAT COURT BALL “I will point out some of the notables,” said General Mainwarren to the Professor and Kearns; “they will no doubt interest you, especially such as are descendants of those known to you in your time.” The scene was the great Court ball, held in the magnificent _salons_ of the Summer Palace, ablaze with light and beauty. The sumptuous decorations, the masses of flowers, the resplendent uniforms, the glittering crosses and orders upon the breasts of many of the men, the Court dresses, the blaze of jewels--composed a scene of the utmost brilliancy and splendor. And the women! American women have ever been famed for their grace, their ineffable _chic_ and their beauty, and certainly the race, as viewed from this ball-room floor, seemed by no means to have declined. Kearns, who had been a regular attendant at the opera in the old days, considered himself quite a judge of feminine loveliness. He remembered to have heard it urged by captious foreigners that the American woman’s weakest points were her walk and her voice. These defects seemed to have received attention, for in the noble bearing of the heads of these women, the graceful sweep of their walk, their sweet vocal intonations, there was no ground left for the most captious critic to stand upon. Decidedly, thought Kearns, both the walk and the voice had been cultivated to perfection under the _regime_ of royalty. “The notables,” he said in answer to General Mainwarren’s words. “Ah, yes! By the way,” he added with sudden animation, “could you point out to me the--the--distinguished Baron Gold.” “Baron Gold--Baron Gold,” repeated General Mainwarren, “let me see if I can discover him for you.” He glanced about the ball-room. “There he is!” he exclaimed, after a brief search. Kearns and the Professor followed the direction of the General’s glance and saw an old man, with gray eyes, sunken cheeks and high forehead, engaged in conversation with a white-moustached gentleman, in the uniform of the diplomatic corps, who sat at his side. “So that is Baron Gold?” said Kearns. “Yes,” answered General Mainwarren, “that is Baron Gold, one of the great Trust magnates and at one time Chancellor of the Exchequer. His country seat is Gorgan Court and his arms are an eagle with beak elevated and talons outspread, and the motto: ‘I dare and I do.’ That’s correct, I believe, Colonel?” “Quite,” answered Colonel Cuming.