"Very well, then, I will tell you what I see," she continued. "I see
Naida Karetsky for Russia, Oscar Immelan for Germany, Austria and
Sweden, and Prince Shan for Asia--here--meeting in London--within the
next week or ten days, to take counsel together to decide whether the
things which are being plotted against us to-day shall be or shall not
be. Of Immelan we have no hope. He conceals it cleverly enough, but he
hates England with all the fervour of a zealot. Naida is unconvinced.
She is to be won. And Prince Shan--"

"Well, what about him?" Nigel demanded, a little carried away by
Maggie's earnestness.

She shook her head.

"I don't know," she confessed. "If the stories one hears about him are
true, no man nor any woman could ever influence him. At least, though,
one could watch and hope."

"Prince Shan is supposed to be coming to Paris, not to London," Nigel
remarked.

"If he goes to Paris," Maggie said, "Naida and Immelan will go. So shall
we. If he comes here, it will be easier. Tell me, Nigel, did you see the
Prime Minister?"

"I saw him," Nigel replied, "but without the slightest result. He is
clearly of the opinion that the open verdict was a merciful one. In
other words, he believes that it was a case of suicide."