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"I don't know that his Grace would be very interested," the servant said

"I don't believe I know his Grace," Silk said artfully "Do you suppose you could tell me his name?"

"He's the Archduke Otrath, sir," the servant answered, puffing hihtly

"He's a member of the imperial family"

"Oh?"

"He's the third cousin--twice removed--of his I I'm so sorry to have missed him I'll tell his Majesty that I stopped by the next tih"

"You know his Majesty?"

"Oh, yes We're old friends"

"Might I ask your name, honored sir?"

"Oh, sorry How very stupid of me I'm Prince Kheldar of Drasnia"

"The Prince Kheldar?"

"I certainly hope there aren't any others" Si!k laughed "I can get into enough trouble all by myself"

"His Grace will be very sorry to have hness"

"I'll be in Melcena for several weeks," Silk said "Perhaps I can call again When do you expect his Grace to return?"

"That's very hard to say, your Highness He left not three days ago with some people frohtfully "If you and your friends wouldn't o advise her Grace, the Archduke's wife, that you're here Her Grace has so few visitors out here, and she loves coo to her at once and tell her that you're here"

They dismounted and followed him into a broad entry-way He bowed rather stiffly and went off down a corridor lined with tapestries

"Very sly

"They don't callon the front of his pearl-gray doublet

When the tall servant returned, he had a slightly pained look on his face "Her Grace is a bit indisposed at the ized to Silk

"I'ret "Perhaps another tihness Her Grace insists on seeing you, but please forgive her if she seems a bit--ah--disoriented

One of Silk's eyebrows shot up