The Prince, being host, arranged the places at his supper-table.

Mr.
Sabin found himself, therefore, between Lady Carey and a young German attache, whom they had met in the ante-room of the restaurant.

Lucille had the Prince and Mr.Brott on either side of her.
Lady Carey monopolised at first the greater part of the conversation.
Mr.Sabin was unusually silent.

The German attache, whose name was Baron von Opperman, did not speak until the champagne was served, when he threw a bombshell into the midst of the little party.
"I hear," he said, with a broad and seraphic smile, "that in this hotel there has to-day a murder been committed." Baron von Opperman was suddenly the cynosure of several pairs of eyes.
He was delighted with the success of his attempt towards the general entertainment.
"The evening papers," he continued, "they have in them news of a sudden death.

But in the hotel here now they are speaking of something--what you call more--mysterious.