"The position does not appear to be quite clear to you, Sir Antony," remarked Da Freitas with a somewhat excessive politeness. "While we appreciate your friendly offer of assistance, there can be no question of our sending messages through any third party. The Count de Sé is Her Highness's legal guardian, and the sooner she is returned to his care and protection, the better it will be for everybody concerned." "I daresay," replied Tony lazily; "but you see there's a difficulty in the way. She dislikes him even more than she does you and Pedro." Da Freitas controlled himself admirably. "It is scarcely a question of Her Highness's personal feelings," he observed. "I fancy that we are the best judges of her future welfare, and in any case the present state of affairs cannot possibly be allowed to continue." "I don't see why," persisted Tony cheerfully. "I have adopted Isabel as a cousin, and the arrangement suits us both excellently. Of course I am sorry in a way that Pedro should be disappointed, but after all it only serves him right. I don't approve of a young man marrying a nice girl, unless he has led a healthy and reputable life." This was too much for the Count de Sé, who started up in his chair with an indignant gasp. "Sir!" he exclaimed. "You are insolent." Tony looked across at him with perfect good temper. "We are all insolent in England," he said. "It's the result of there being no duelling." "Sir Antony is indulging his sense of humour," broke in Da Freitas with a dangerous suavity. "We can hardly insult his intelligence by suggesting that he is taking up this position seriously. Otherwise it might be necessary to remind him that in this great and admirable country of his there is such a thing as the Law." "I have been told," said Tony, "that it is our supreme national achievement." "It is at least effective," replied Da Freitas with some significance. "I understand that it takes a very definite view as to the detention of a minor from her legal guardian." "There is only one trouble about the law in England," said Tony. "It's inclined to be slow in its operation." Da Freitas' white teeth exhibited themselves in a smile. "That," he observed, "is a universal weakness in legal systems, but fortunately there are ways and methods of overcoming it. In the present case, for instance, I fancy that a few words from me to your extremely courteous and obliging Foreign Office might have a very far-reaching effect." "I am sure they would," said Tony cordially. "In fact I shouldn't be the least surprised if they reached as far as Livadia. It's extraordinary how news travels--especially interesting and romantic news of this sort." Once again there was a pause in the conversation. Then Da Freitas laughed--easily and pleasantly. "If that remark is intended for a threat, I am afraid that your information is a little out of date. His Majesty's intentions are already known to the government at Portriga."