A Royal Prisoner

the quarter after three. "I'll bet it's him, but how late he is!" As the sounds drew nearer, she added: "He must be as drunk as a lord! After all, Kings are no better than other men." She quickly passed to the outer door and listened. "Why, it sounds as if there were two of them!" A key fumbled in the lock, then the owner of it apparently gave up the task as hopeless and began ringing the bell. Susy opened the door and Frederick-Christian staggered in followed by a man who was a total stranger to her. The latter, bowing in a correct and respectful manner, carried himself with dignity. The King bubbled over with laughter and leaned on the shoulder of his lady-love. "Take off your overcoat," she said, at length, and while he was attempting to obey her, she whispered: "If your Maj ..." Before she could finish the sentence the King put his hand over her mouth. "My . . . my ... my dear Susy . . . I'm very fond of you . . . but don't begin by saying stupid things. ... I am here . . . incog . . . incognito. Call me your little Cri-Cri, Susy. ..." "My dear," she replied, "introduce me to your friend." "Eh," cried the King, "if I'm not forgetting the most elementary obligations of the protocol; but after fourteen whiskeys, and good whiskey, too, though I've better here. . . . Susy don't drink any, she prefers gooseberry syrup . . . queer taste, isn't it?" Susy saw the conversation was getting away from the point, so repe...