and he was only aware of a vague irritation that fretted him
without any seemingly adequate cause. Dr. Dean meanwhile pursued
his investigations with the lighted taper, and presently, turning
round on the assembled little group of bystanders, he said:

"I have just discovered another singular thing. The face of the
woman here--the dancer and favorite--is the face of our charming
hostess, the Princess Ziska!"

Exclamations of wonder greeted this announcement, and everybody
craned their necks to see. And then the Princess spoke, slowly and
languidly.

"Yes," she murmured, "I was hoping you would perceive that. I
myself noticed how very like me is the famous Ziska-Charmazel, and
that is just why I dressed in her fashion for the fancy ball the
other evening. It seemed to me the best thing to do, as I wanted
to choose an ancient period, and then, you know, I bear half her
name."

Dr. Dean looked at her keenly, and a somewhat grim smile wrinkled
his lips.

"You could not have done better," he declared. "You and the
dancing-girl of Araxes might be twin sisters."

He lowered the taper he held that it might more strongly illumine
her face, and as the outline of her head and throat and bust was
thrown into full relief, Gervase, staring at her, was again
conscious of that sudden, painful emotion of familiarity which had