"I wrote a swinging personal letter about the invaluable services of
the Chief to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, and they gave
him enough Russian and French medals to satisfy even a French
soldier. So, though he never caught the woman, he received his just
reward."
The Queen's Messenger paused and surveyed the faces of those about
him in some embarrassment.
"But the worst of it is," he added, "that the story must have got
about; for, while the Princess obtained nothing from me but a cigar-
case and five excellent cigars, a few weeks after the coronation the
Czar sent me a gold cigar-case with his monogram in diamonds. And I
don't know yet whether that was a coincidence, or whether the Czar
wanted me to know that he knew that I had been carrying the Czarina's
diamonds in my pig-skin cigar-case. What do you fellows think?"
III
Sir Andrew rose, with disapproval written in every lineament.
"I thought your story would bear upon the murder," he said. "Had I
imagined it would have nothing whatsoever to do with it, I would not
have remained." He pushed back his chair and bowed, stiffly. "I wish
you good night," he said.
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