hope you did not say that I would come, sir!"     

       "Yes. It's the only way—"     

       "Well, be good enough to call him up again and say to him that I'll—I'll see him damned before I'll come to his office to-morrow at eight-thirty or at any other hour." And with that the Count got up and stalked out of the office, putting on his hat as he did so.     

       "Count," said King, as they descended in the elevator, "I've got an idea in my head that Blithers will be at the Ritz at four."     

       "Do you imagine, sir, that I will receive him?"     

       "Certainly. Are you not a diplomat?"     

       "I am a Minister of War," said the Count, and his scowl was an indication of absolute proficiency in the science.     

       "And what's more," went on King, reflectively, "it wouldn't in the least surprise me if Blithers is the man behind the directors in this sudden move of the banks."     

       "My dear King, he displayed the keenest interest and sympathy the other       night at your house. He—"     

       "Of course I may be wrong," admitted King, but his brow was clouded.     

       Shortly after luncheon that day, Mrs. Blithers received a telegram from her husband. It merely stated that he was going up to have tea with the Count at four o'clock, and not to worry as "things were shaping themselves nicely."     

  

  

       CHAPTER V — PRINCE ROBIN IS ASKED TO STAND UP     

       Late the same evening. Prince Robin, at Red Roof, received a long distance telephone communication from New York City. The Count was on the wire. He imparted the rather startling news that William W. Blithers had volunteered to take care of the loan out of his own private means! Quinnox was cabling the Prime Minister for advice and would remain in New York for further conference with the capitalist, who, it was to be assumed, would want time to satisfy himself as to the stability of Graustark's resources.     

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