"Do you imagine that it was personal or political ?" "How can I tell ?" the Prince rejoined carelessly.

"Why should any one desire my death?
These things are riddles.

Ah! Here comes my friend Immelan!" he went on.

"Immelan, help us in this discussion.

You are not one of those who place the gift of life above all other things in the world!" "My own or another's ?" Immelan asked, with blunt cynicism.
"I trust," was the bland reply, "that you are, as I have always esteemed you, an altruist." "And why ?" Prince Shan shrugged his shoulders.