“I will wish you good-night, gentlemen,” Mr. Sabin said, and passed into the hotel.

The Prince touched Brott on the arm.

“Will you come round to the club, and take a hand at bridge?” he said.

Brott laughed shortly.

“I imagine,” he said, “that I should be an embarrassing guest to you just now at, say the Mallborough, or even at the St. James.  I believe the aristocracy are looking forward to the possibility of my coming into power with something like terror.”

“I am not thoroughly versed; in the politics of this country,” the Prince said, “but I have always understood that your views were very much advanced.  Dorset solemnly believes that you are pledged to exterminate the large landed proprietors, and I do not think he would be surprised to hear that you had a guillotine up your sleeve.”

The two men were strolling along Pall Mall.  The Prince had lit a large cigar, and was apparently on the best of terms with himself and the world in general.  Brott, on the contrary, was most unlike himself, preoccupied, and apparently ill at ease.

“The Duke and his class are, of course, my natural opponents,” Brott said shortly.  “By the bye, Prince,” he added, suddenly turning towards him, and with a complete change of tone, “it is within your power to do me a favour.”

“You have only to command,” the Prince assured him good-naturedly.

“My rooms are close here,” Brott continued.  “Will you accompany me there, and grant me the favour of a few minutes’ conversation?”

“Assuredly!” the Prince answered, flicking the end off his cigar.  “It will be a pleasure.”

They walked on towards their destination in silence.  Brott’s secretary was in the library with a huge pile of letters and telegrams before him.  He welcomed Brott with relief.

“We have been sending all over London for you, sir,” he said.

Brott nodded.

“I am better out of the way for the present,” he answered.  “Deny me to everybody for an hour, especially Letheringham.  There is nothing here, I suppose, which cannot wait so long as that?”

The secretary looked a little doubtful.

“I think not, sir,” he decided.

“Very good.  Go and get something to eat.  You look fagged.  And tell Hyson to bring up some liqueurs, will you!  I shall be engaged for a short time.”

The secretary withdrew.  A servant appeared with a little tray of liqueurs, and in obedience to an impatient gesture from his master, left them upon the table.  Brott closed the door firmly.

“Prince,” he said, resuming his seat, “I wished to speak with you concerning the Countess.”

Saxe Leinitzer nodded.

“All right,” he said.  “I am listening!”

“I understand,” Brott continued, “that you are one of her oldest friends, and also one of the trustees of her estates.  I presume that you stand to her therefore to some extent in the position of an adviser?”