“You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very needlessly,” he said.  “You know quite well you will accept Frederick’s offer.”

“Do you advise me to accept?” I demanded.

“Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?”

“You say that as my best friend?” I persisted.

“I do—­and more; I urge it.”

“I think I am growing childish,” I said, “I can’t make a decision; I’m afraid of the Dark, as it were.”

Courtney nodded.  “That is precisely why I am able to see the matter more clearly than you—­there is no Dark to make me fearful.”

“And my commission and American citizenship?”

Courtney smiled.  “You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least, the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army.  That’s a trifle more than you are giving up, don’t you think?”

I made no answer.

“And then,” he went on, “you can throw it all over and come back to us if you get tired of your new job.”

“I may be glad enough to get back to you and my American commission.”

“Bother your commission!  What does a man of your age and position want in the hard-working American army?” he exclaimed.

“What does a man of your age and wealth want bothering with diplomacy?” I asked.

“Because I enjoy the business, I reckon.”

“Just as someone else may enjoy being a Major of Engineers.”

“Come,” said he; “if that’s all that bothers you, I’ll engage to put you back in our Army any time within two years, if you wish it.”

“You are very good, Courtney,” I said.  “I fear, however, the War Department would not be so gracious.”

He snapped his fingers.  “That, for the War Department,’” he said contemptuously.

“Besides, I’m too old to learn a new profession,” I objected.

“A new profession?” he questioned.

I nodded.  “The profession of being an Archduke.”

“If I might judge by the Birthday Ball,” he laughed, “you will have very little to learn.”

“Oh, I’m not bothered about the women; I can manage them all right.”

“For the love of Heaven:  don’t say that so loud,” he exclaimed.  “One of them might hear you, and then——­” and he raised his hands expressively.

“We are growing frivolous,” said I, “let us go to bed.”

He tossed his cigarette into the grate.  “Sometimes it is well to sleep over a problem,” he said.  He poured two measures of liquor.  “Here’s to a clear mind and a right decision in the morning.”

We drank it standing—­and I, at least, with feeling.

I cannot say if a good night’s rest had anything to do with it, but, when I awoke, my mind was made up, and I was ready to give answer to the King.  It chanced that Courtney and I met at breakfast—­the American customs as to meals prevailed at the Embassy—­and had the room to ourselves; possibly, because we were very late and the day was very charming.