The Pothunters

into Mervo was an interesting blend between a pageant and a vaudeville s

given to the monarch of a more powerful kingdom; but John was not disappointed. During the voyage from New York, in the intervals of seasickness-for he was a poor sailor-Mr. Crump had supplied him

the streets. In addition to the military, there was a gathering of a hundred and fifty civilians, mainly drawn from fishing circles. The majority of these remained stolidly silent throughout, but three, more emotional, cheered vigorously as a young man was seen to step on to the gangway, carrying a gri

atient twirl to his mustache. Mr. Scobell, who for possibly the first time in his career was not smoki

nibs, Crump?"

ange. They had no reason to suppose that he was not Prince John, and they acted accordingly. Wi

with his arms, but was p

Mr. Crump, depositing his grip on the

avi

ong, but His Highness said he wasn't goin

he cornet player, who continued gallantly by himself till a feeling of loneliness brought the truth home to him. An awkward stage wait followed, which laste

. Scobell made h

Scobell's my name. Shake hands with General Poineau. N

if he does," said

s worth. His idea of a Prince of Mervo was something statuesquely aloof, something-he could not express it exactly-on the lines of the illustrations in the Zenda stories in the magazines-about eight feet high and shinily magnificent, som

hile, had embarked on

ded him th

he gentleman is making a good speech, but wh

said Mr. Crump, the linguist, "in

that was necessary. He hasn't said anything about a bite of breakfast, has he? Has his address happened to work a

at my villa, Your Highn

e is waiting

h it, and finished with a military clash of heels and a s

hn, turning to Mr. S

few words to them, Your Hi

and they can't understand Engli

and it to 'em

ir

t His Highness's

s,

r you, Crump," said Jo

don't. I haven't felt

on Tremont Street when

it's no good. I don

ed to death," advised

ft who has just spoken his piece whose name I can't remember-I thank you for the warm welcome you have given me. If it is any sat

r loyal welcome. He thanks you warml

chumps enough to turn out of your comfortable beds at this time of the morning

lieves that he will always continue t

low of inspiration has ceased. The magic fire has g

He did not take the people of Mervo seriously himself, but in the Prince such an attitude struck him as unbecoming. Then he cheered up. After all, John had given evidence of having a certain amount of what he would have called "get-up" in him. For the purposes for which he needed him, a tendency to make light of things was not amiss. It was essentially

ace c

e said, cordially, inserting t

said His Hig

ed the remains of his cigar betwee

ince?"

es

said Mr. Scobell, "t

here you

" said

e picturesque stunts. Get a yacht and catch rare fishes. Whoop it up. Entertain swell guys when they come here. Have a Court-see what I mean?-same as over in England. Go around in aeroplanes and that style of thin

ft thing here. There'll be a joker in the deck somewhere, I guess. There always

obell. "And now you'll

them bring the a

l of state

breakfasted apart that morning, by request, her brother giving her to understand that matters of state,

Mr. Scobell

, de

of the thing right away, and is ready

ce-lookin

, and this one must be near the top of the list. You'll like

ell turne

e mar

other

guess he's not. He'd have mentioned it. He's

His green eyes g

he cried

l, d

Your saying that put it into my head. Do you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to cable ove

brother's conversation really interested her

et

too. The Prince'll be lucky to get such a wife, f

Betty does

iage between-between a ribbon-counter clerk and the girl who takes the money at a twenty-five-cent hash restaurant in Flatbush? This is a royal alliance. Do you

uropean princess objecting to the s

confirmed reader of the more sentimental class of fiction, and th

't that romantic enough for y

bell sig

you know best. But perhaps t

gave a snort

o will be to marry Betty. I'd like to see him kick!" He began to pace the room. "By Heck, it's going to make this place boom to beat the band. It'll be the biggest kind of advertisement. Restoration of Royalty at Mervo. That'll make them take notic

said Miss Scobell, "but-" her voice bec

chemer impatiently. "Her