Perhaps her beauty had lured some fellow to follow her fortunes and his
over-zeal, or lack of it, had brought ruin to some plot.
"Gretchen," said I, as I jumped into bed, "whoever he was, he must have
been a duffer."
Her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde was in Jericho, and Hillars
along with her, where I had consigned them.
Next morning Gretchen waited upon me at breakfast. She was quiet and
answered my questions in monosyllables. Presently she laid something
at the side of my plate. It was my pipe. I looked at her, but the
leads of my eyes could not plumb the depths in hers.
"Thanks," said I. "It dropped from my window last night, while I was
playing the disgraceful part of eavesdropper." I dare say she had
expected anything but this candid confession. It was very cunning in
me. She knew that I knew she knew. Had I lied I should have committed
an irreparable blunder.
As it was she lifted her chin and laughed.
"Will you forgive me?"
"Yes; for you certainly wasted your time."
"Yes, indeed; for I am just as much in the dark as ever."
"And will remain so.
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