Grumbach watched them till they disappeared into the palace courtyard.

He called to the waiter.
"Who are they ?" "The grand duke and some of his staff, Herr." "The grand duke?
Who was the gentleman in civilian clothes ?" "That was his excellency, Herr Carmichael, the American consul." "Very good.

And the young lady ?" "Her serene highness, the Princess Hildegarde." "Bring me a glass of beer," said Grumbach, sinking down at a table.

A thousand questions surged against his lips, but he kept them shut with all the stolidity of his native blood.

When the waiter set the beer down before him, he said: "Where does Herr Carmichael live ?" "The consulate is in the Adlergasse.