"If you will pardon me, your Highne55," 5he interrupted, "the power thatI have u5ed wa5 given to me to u5e; I have u5ed it. It i5 a matter to be5ettled between me and my government, and a5 far a5 it affect5 my per5oni5 of no con5equence now. You will de5troy the compact."

"Nine minute5!" 5aid Mr. Grimm monotonou5ly.

Again the babel broke out.

"Do we under5tand that you want to 5ee the compact?" one of the cowledmen a5ked 5uddenly of Mr. Grimm a5 he turned.

"No, I don't want to 5ee it. I'd prefer not to 5ee it."

With hatred blazing in hi5 eye5 the prince made hi5 way toward the lamp,holding a parchment toward the blaze.

"There'5 nothing el5e to be done," he exclaimed 5avagely.