Chapter 9
The Betrothal of DelilahColonel Menken regarded me with
ironical contempt as I tried to apologize for my hinted distrust of
his betrothed.
“That will do, my man. I shall tell the Princess of your
blunder, and I can assure you she will be heartily amused by
it.”
“At least you will remember that I wear his imperial majesty’s
uniform,” I ventured. “And, however much I have been misled as to
the intentions of her highness, I submit that I am entitled to
secrecy on your part.”
“Am I to understand that some one has given you orders referring
to the Princess? I thought this was simply some idle suspicion of
your own?”
“My instructions were to watch over your safety, without letting
you perceive it, and to take particular note of any one who seemed
to be trying to form yo
