TheproceedingswereinGerman。ThePrincewasinhisowncabin，theendroomoftheairship，acharmingapartmentfurnishedinwicker—workwithalongwindowacrossitsentirebreadth，lookingforward。Hewassittingatafolding—tableofgreenbaize，withVonWinterfeldandtwoofficerssittingbesidehim，andlitteredbeforethemwasanumberofAmericanmapsandMr。Butteridge’slettersandhisportfolioandanumberofloosepapers。Bertwasnotaskedtositdown，andremainedstandingthroughouttheinterview。VonWinterfeldtoldhisstory，andeverynowandthenthewordsBallonandPooteragestruckonBert’sears。ThePrince’sfaceremainedsternandominousandthetwoofficerswatcheditcautiouslyorglancedatBert。TherewassomethingalittlestrangeintheirscrutinyofthePrince——acuriosity，anapprehension。Thenpresentlyhewasstruckbyanidea，andtheyfelldiscussingtheplans。ThePrinceaskedBertabruptlyinEnglish。\"Didyoueverseethisthinggoop？\"
Bertjumped。\"SawitfromBun’Ill，yourRoyalHighness。\"
VonWinterfeldmadesomeexplanation。
\"Howfastdiditgo？\"
\"Couldn’tsay，yourRoyalHighness。Thepapers，leastwaystheDailyCourier，saideightymilesanhour。\"