Eugen was well aware that he had been kidnapped through the agency of the woman in the red hat, but, doubtless ashamed at having been her dupe, he would not proceed in any way with the clearing-up of the matter.
'You will receive in this room, Eugen ?' Aribert questioned him.
'Yes,' was the answer, given pettishly.

'Why not?
Even if I have no proper retinue here, surely that is no reason why I should not hold audience in a proper manner ?...

Hans, you can go.' The old valet promptly disappeared.
'Aribert,' the Hereditary Prince continued, when they were alone in the chamber, 'you think I am mad.' 'My dear Eugen,' said Prince Aribert, startled in spite of himself.
'Don't be absurd.' 'I say you think I am mad.

You think that that attack of brain fever has left its permanent mark on me.

Well, perhaps I am mad.