[Illustration: A long tense silence when eye challenges eye.]
"You seem to know everything, Mr. Grimm," he taunted.
"I _try_ to know everything, your Highness," was the reply. Mr. Grimm
was still standing. "I know, for instance, that one week ago the plot
which had your freedom for its purpose was born; I know the contents of
every letter that passed between you and Miss Thorne here,
notwithstanding the invisible ink; I know that four days ago several
thousand dollars was smuggled in to you concealed in a basket of fruit;
I know, with that money, you bribed your way out, while Miss Thorne or
one of her agents bribed the guard in front; I know that the escape was
planned for to-night, and that the man who was delegated to take charge
of it is now locked in my office under guard. It may interest you to
know that it was I who took his place and made the escape possible. I
know that much!"
"You--_you_--!" the prince burst out suddenly. "_You_ aided me to
escape?"
Miss Thorne was staring, staring at them with her eyes widely distended,
and her red lips slightly parted.
"_Why_ did you assist him?" she demanded.
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