I was instrumental in getting him
signed on as John Lamont, and he passed without question. No wonder,
for he has scientific degrees from all sorts of German universities,
from Oxford, and one or two institutions in the States. When at home
he lives in St. Petersburg."
"Has he a palace there?"
Drummond laughed.
"He's got a blacksmith shop, with two rooms above, and I'm going to
stop with him for a few months as soon as I get my leave. When the
cruiser reaches England we pay off, and I expect to have nothing to do
for six months, so Jack and I will make for St. Petersburg."
"Why do you call him Lamont? Is it taken from his real name of
what-d'ye-call-it-off?"
"Lermontoff? Yes. The Czar Demetrius, some time about the beginning of
the seventeenth century, established a Scottish Guard, just as Louis
XI did in France two hundred years before, and there came over from
Scotland Lamonts, Carmichaels, Buchanans and others, on whom were
bestowed titles and estates. Prince Ivan Lermontoff is a descendant of
the original Lamont, who was an officer in the Scottish Guard of
Russia.
"So he is really a Scotchman?"
"That's what I tell him when he annoys me, as I am by way of being a
Scotchman myself. Ah, the waltz is ended. Will you excuse me a moment
while I fetch his Highness?"
Dorothy inclined her head, and Katherine fairly beamed permission.
"Oh, Dorothy," she exclaimed, when the Lieutenant was out of hearing,
"think of it! A real prince, and my ambition has never risen higher
than a paltry count, or some plebeian of that sort.
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