had an encounter with an acquaintance, which presented a ludicrous side, but was at the same time embarrassing. As I rode along I met a dignified-looking person driving in a two-horsed carriage. He stopped his horses, got out, and approached me, bowing low. I recognized the head of the Strelsau police.
"Your Majesty's ordinance as to dueling is receiving our best attention," he assured me.
If the best attention involved his presence in Zenda I determined at once to dispense with it.
"Is that what brings you to Zenda, prefect?" I asked.
"Why, no, sire; I am here because I desired to oblige the British ambassador."
"What's the British ambassador doing dans cette galère?" said I carelessly.
"A young countryman of his, sire—a man of some position—is missing. His friends have not heard from him for two months, and there is reason to believe that he was last seen in Zenda."
Flavia was paying little attention. I dared not look at Sapt.
