Free The Prince Commands: Being Sundry Adventures of Michael Karl, Sometime Crown Prince & Pretender to the Thrown of Morvania by Andre Norton

his surprising adventures in the mountains.
    “And do you always frown so horribly when you are thinking?” inquired Ericson.
    “Was I frowning?” asked Michael Karl in some surprise.
    “If you don't believe me, go and think in front of a mirror and see what happens. And what were you thinking about?”
    “How I am going to return the Cross without being seen.”
    “Are you going to return it?”
    Michael Karl was startled. “Of course. Why not?”
    The American looked away. “Oh, just an idea of mine. Thought that you'd like to return it to its owner when he's ransomed.”
    “I never want to see the Crown Prince again,” said Michael Karl in a low voice, his fingers busy with the bits of peeling.
    “Are you sure?” There was an odd note in the American's voice, and again Michael Karl wondered just how much or how little his host really knew.
    “Yes,” answered Michael Karl firmly and demolished his tower with a sweep of his hand.
    “What are you going to do to-day?” Ericson asked a moment later. There was a faint trace of disappointment in his voice as if he had looked for something long hoped for and found it missing. Michael Karl felt queerly to blame, but he wasn't going to give up his new-found freedom for a friend's disappointment if that was what the American had hoped for.
    “Oh, I don't know,” he answered carelessly. “The usual thing I suppose. There isn't much I can do now.”
    “I'm going to be busy in the library. I wish you'd go out a little.”
    Michael Karl shook his head. “Too many know me, I can't risk being seen. I'll attempt it tonight after dark. I'm going to get my books out of the library. You're not to be disturbed this morning I suppose?”
    “No. Do you know, you're making me a mighty fine secretary, John. I wish I could persuade you to stay on. I'd never got all that material ready for the article on Morvanian witchcraft if it hadn't been for your help.”
    Michael Karl folded his napkin and arose to his feet. “My dear sir, I am overwhelmed,” he said with an excellent imitation of his late aide-de-camp's heel clicking bow. “And now to work. I shall be in the anteroom as usual if you need me.”
    The American smiled with lazy admiration. “Keeping the old man to it, aren't you? You hurry away from the breakfast table all full of zeal because you know it will shame me into working too. Some morning I'm going to defy you and sit right here for another cup of coffee. I wonder if you're so busy when I'm not watching you?”
    “Pop in and see,” suggested Michael Karl.
    Ericson shook his head. “I couldn't, that squeaky board in the hall would always warn you in time. You go over the mail this morning and answer everything you can. I hate to write letters, and you seem to enjoy it so you might as well answer mine. Don't interrupt me unless the palace burns down or something. And don't let Jan in to tell some tale of woe, you handle him.
    “And don't worry about the Cross,” he added as he opened the library door. “I'll find some way for you to return it.”
    Michael Karl seated himself before the table in the anteroom. It was interesting work, this answering of mail and reading up of history to help his host, and it made him feel that he was not quite so useless. He wished that he might accept the American's offer and stay on as a secretary.
    Jan appeared with the morning mail and laid it carefully on the table. The little man always carried the mail basket as if it contained something breakable.
    “Good morning, Dominde,” he smiled humbly and backed out, bowing very low at Michael Karl's hearty answer.
    The mail went into two piles, those private and those pertaining to business, but it was a long green envelope which excited all Michael Karl's interest this morning. Ericson had told him about these green envelopes, but this was the first time he had seen one. It never came by post, but was delivered by hand and was not to be opened, but to be taken to the