"It was Mr. Charles Winthrop Rankin of the German embassy," said the
young man.
"Mr. Rankin of the German embassy was on guard at the door?" demanded
the president quickly.
"Yes. We got out safely."
"And that means that Germany was--!"
The president paused and startled glances passed around the table. After
a moment of deep abstraction the secretary went on:
"So Miss Thorne and the prince escaped. Are they still in this country?"
"That I don't know," replied Mr. Grimm. He stood silent a moment,
staring at the president. Some subtle change crept into the listless
eyes, and his lips were set. "Perhaps I had better explain here that the
personal equation enters largely into an affair of this kind," he said
at last, slowly. "It happens that it entered into this. Unless I am
ordered to pursue the matter further I think it would be best for all
concerned to accept the fact of Miss Thorne's escape, and--" He stopped.
There was a long, thoughtful silence. Every man in the room was studying
Mr. Grimm's impassive face.
"Personal equation," mused the president. "Just how, Mr. Grimm, does the
personal equation enter into the affair?"
The young man's lips closed tightly, and then:
"There are some people, Mr.
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