The King's Jackal

colored mats, and plants in pots, and wicker chairs. It reached out from the Kings apartments into the Garden of Palms, and was hidden

one-half of the Hotel Grand Bretagne had been set aside for him and his suite, and two soldiers of the Bashaw's Guard sat outside of his door with drawn swords. They were answerable with

ept the Mediterranean with a field-glass for the third time since s

raltar-has she arr

introduction of a foreign language, and continued to shake their heads as the

s out upon the terrace, "has the boat arrived? And the launch

acht lay, a mile outside the h

pardon," he added quickly, as he pointed to a stout elderly gentleman who walked rapidly toward th

on of satisfaction, and waved his

jesty," he said

and bowed. "His Ma

Well, Baron," he cried, gayly, as he stepped forward, "w

he other replied gruffly, as he br

o wake him. And you have been successful? G

ted. It was like pulling teeth at first. I want some coffee at once," he said to the attendant, "and a bath. That boat reeked with Moors and cattle, and there was no wagon-lit

ved at daybreak. They are probably

ned and strode up and down the terrace, pulling at his mustache and glancing sideways. When the Baron had

ch in as short a time," growled the other. "You know Paris. You know how hard it is to g

wasn't en

l him. None of them would hear of it until I spoke of the Prince. So when I saw that, I told them he was a fine little chap, healthy and manly and brave, and devoted to his priest, and all that rot, and they began to listen. At first they wanted his Majesty to abdicate, and give the boy a clear road to the crown, but of course I hushed that up. I told them we were acting advisedly, that we had reason to know that the common people of Messina were sick of the Republic, and wanted their King; that Louis loved the common people like a father; that he would re-establish the Church in all her power, and that Father Paul was working day and night for us, and that the Vatican was behind us. Then I dealt out decorations and a few

good-L9,000. I suppose you took

pedition,-the Duke Dantiz, so much; the Duke D'Orvay, 50,000 francs; the Countess Mattini, a diamond necklace. It is all quite regular. I played fair." The Colonel had

he first part; she was an English girl who had come from a manufacturing town to study art and live alone in Paris, where she had been too indolent to work, and too brilliant to remain long without companions eager for her society. Through them and the stories of her wit and her beauty, she had come to know the King of Messina, and with that meeting the second part of her life began; for she had found something so attracti

golf cloak hanging from her shoulders, and as she crossed the terrace she pulled ner

e said, with an excited

you have come. You are most

ght. It showed the wrinkles and creases around his mouth and the blue veins under the mottled skin, and the tiny lines at the corners of

and with a quick glance to see that there were no other witnesses to his deshabil

Baron's good words I have already overheard; I listened to them with great entertainment while I was dressing. I hoped he would say something discourteous or foolish, but he was quite discreet until he told Erhaupt that he had kept

ully and crossed her hands in her lap,

ind me," she said. "They only stopped for a moment at the custom

nd wrapped his padded dressing-robe closer around his slight figure, and Erhaupt stood leaning o

ntrance to the terrace, as silent and immovable as blind

ep people away from me-and they do it very well. I wish I could import them t

vented on the way down. They sent me ashore in a boat, and Kalonay and Father Paul continued on along the southern shore, where they have been making speeches in all the coast-towns and exciting the people in favor of the revolution. I heard of them

th the object of re-establishing yourself on the throne. He wouldn't believe that there was any such expedition, and said it was blackmail, and threatened to give me to the police if I did not leave the island in twenty-four hours-he was exceedingly rude. So I showed him receipts for ammunition and rifles and Maxim guns, and copies of the oath of allegiance to the expedition, and papers of the yacht, in which she was described as an armored cruiser, and he rapidly grew polite, even

e Father Superior, and there are many who believe the Republic will never succeed until Paul returns and the Church is re-established. The Government seems to have kept itself well informed about your Majesty's movements, and it has never felt any anxiety that you would attempt to return, and it did not fear the Church party because it knew that without you the priests could do nothing. But when Paul, whom the common people look upon as a living saint and martyr, returned hand in hand with your man Friday, they were in a panic and felt sure the end had come. So the President called a hasty meeting of his Cabinet. And such a

uneasily, and coughed behi

re traitors in his camp, the King was in most desperate earnest? If they believe that, you see, it will allow me to raise another expedition as soon as the money we get for this one

had contributed funds toward the expedition that we had at least made an honest effort, and your Majesty would be discouraged by such treachery from ever attempting another attack. The money was to be paid two weeks later in Paris, to me or to whoever brings this ring that I wear. The plan we finally agreed upon is this: The yacht is to anchor off Basnai next Thursday night. At high tide, which is just about daybreak, we are to lower our boats and land our men

rew back his head and laughed softly. He saw Erhaupt's face above his shoulder, filled with the amazement and ind

nel?" he cried, gayly. "They are

"I didn't know we were dealin

"It is like taking money from

London," Erhaupt declared, contemptuously, "I would

y surrendered as quickly as that, did they?" he

ppointment. "It may seem an easy victory to you," she said, consciously, "but I doubt, knowing all the

led child. "It needed a woman of tact, a woman of courage, a woman among women-the Countess Zara. Do not

in charge of the army. He scoffed at the whole expedition, but they told him that a foreigner could not understand as they did th

ped his finge

popularity!" But he instantly raised his hands as though in pro

hen if he chose to take no part in them we would at least have had a free hand. As it is now, we have three different people to deceive: this Cabinet of shopkeepers, whic

garden, and this time with such evident uneasiness i

harply. "There is somethi

lot besides myself," she said, speaking rapidly. "I had to give them the name of some man who they knew would be ab

imself forward

he cried, i

What madness, Madame! Why name

voice; "let her explain. She has acted according

d now, suppose he learns the truth, as he may at any moment, and discovers that the whole expedition for which he is staking his soul and life is a trick, a farce; that we use it only as a bait to draw money from the old nobility, and to frighten the Republic into paying us to leave them in peace? How do we know what he might not do? He may tell the whole of Europe. He may turn on you and expose you, and then what have we left? It is your last chance. It is our last chance. We have tried everything else, and we cannot show ourselves in Euro

rd and marked each word w

gned by the Republic agreeing to pay 300,000 francs to Kalonay? T

ng, "that it was either Barrat or the Colonel here who had turned traitor. They know the Baron of old, when he was Chamberlain and ran your roulette wheel at the palace. They know he is not the man to turn back an expedition. And the Colonel, if he will pardon me, has sold his services so often to one side or another that it would have been difficult to make them believe that this time he is sincere. But Kalonay, the man they fear most next to your Majesty-to have him turn traitor, why, that was a master stroke. Even th

uneasily as though

"the trip has tired me. If you will excuse me, I w

trust you will be rested by dinner-t

look after her as she disappeared down the corridor. He rubbed the back o

g up at Barrat. The Baron raised his eyebr

dared to make love to

sionless as a death-mask, and he

ing insisted, laughing gently. "I wonder

ere men of stouter stuff than their cousins of Artois, they had never tried to usurp their place, but had set an example to the humblest shepherd of unfailing loyalty and good-will to the King and his lady. The Prince Kalonay, who had accompanied the Dominican monk to Messina, was the last of his race, and when Louis IV. had been driven off the island, he had followed his sovereign into exile as a matter of course, and with his customary good-humor. His estates, in consequence of this step, had been taken up by the Republic,

bred in the young Prince's mind, he would have deserted his sovereign in the early days of their exile. But as it was, he made excuses for him to others and to himself, and served the King's idle purposes so well that he

but it was not to Louis's purpose that the Prince should know the real object of the expedition, so he assigned its preparation to Erhaupt, and despatched Kalonay to the south of the island. At the sa

rince and the broad shoulders and tonsured head of th

enthusiasm alone. I confess he bores me. Remember, the story Madame Zara told them in the yacht is the one she told us this morning, that none o

using stories to tell, and he reviewed the adventures of the monk and himself with such vivacity and hum

on his face, and his eyes were as innocent of evil and as beautiful as a girl's, and as eloquent as his tongue. "May the Maria Santissima pity the girls they look upon," his old Spanish nurse used to say of them. But Kalonay had show

llside. All our old keepers came down to the coast to meet us, and told me about the stag-hunt the week before, and who was married, and who was in jail, and who had been hanged for shooting a customs officer, and they promised fine deer stalking if I get back before the snow leaves the r

their faces when we assured them that you would return. I wished a thousand times that we had brought you with us. With you at our head we can sweep the island f

d shouting with the rest. Without him I could have done nothing. They knew me too well; but the laziest rascals in the village came to welcome him again, and the women and men wept before him and brought their children to be blessed, and fell on their knees and kissed his sa

d rising erect and rigid from his cowl. The eyes of the men were turned upon him cu

vants of the Church. As soon end a mother's love for her children by putting an ocean between them. For six years those peasants have been true. I left them faithf

wave of his hand invited the priest to follow him, and they walked together to the other end of the terrace.

nd when she means to let us have it? It is a delicate matter, and I do not wish to urge the lady, but we are really greatly in need of money. Baron Barrat, who arrived from Paris this morning, brings back no substantial ai

en Miss Carson, then

, and she is deeply in sympathy with our effort to re-establish your order and the influence of the Church upon the island. I have explained to her that the only way in which the Church can regain her footing there i

bute was to be given only after the monarchy has been formally established, and that she wished whatever she gave to be used ex

willing disposition to aid us not only later, but now. My success means your success," he continued, smiling pleasantly as he rose to his feet, "so

ncis. I have written concerning them to the Father Superior there, and he tells me that Mr. Carson died a very rich man, and that he was a generous servan

"I will speak with her," he said, "and ask her aid as fully as she can g

k with her then-and, father," the King added, lowering his eyes and fingering the loose sleeve of the priest's robe, "it would be well, I think, to have this presentation of the young nobles immediately after the luncheon, whil

oughtfully, turning his eyes to the sea below them. "Madame Z

f moment of time looked at the priest in silence, but

t be present," the K

its you, and I have promised them an audience. If you will pardon me I would suggest that you receive these honest people at the same time with the others, and that his Highness the Crown Prince be also present, and that he receive them with

on Barrat and Kalonay, please, about the details. I wish either Kalonay or yourself to make the presentation. I

red, and with a bow he strode across the te

they followed in single file, Miss Carson walking first. It was a position her mother always forced upon her, and after people grew to know them they

act a part while he was with her. She was young, impressionable, and absolutely inexperienced. As a little girl she had lived on a great ranch, where she could gallop from sunrise to sunset over her own prairie land, and later her life had been spent in a convent outside of Paris. She had but two great emotions, her love for her father and for the Church which had nursed her. Her father's death had

leasantly to him and to the others. She neither courtesied nor offered him her hand, but seemed to prefe

rs, talking earnestly with the Prince. What he was saying was of an unwelcome nature, for Kalonay's face wore an expression of boredom and

I interrupt y

lcome interruption. The good father has been finding fault wi

r back to the others, facing the two men, who stood leaning against the broad balustrade. They had been fellow-conspirators sufficiently long for them to have grown to know

at zeal is not enough, and that high ideals, unless they are accompanied by go

nd that you know nothing of me, and I know nothing of you. I came to hear of your visit," she continued; "am I to be told anything?" she a

life," he said. "They took us to their hearts like brothers. They mig

ning to the priest. "You found them loyal? Your v

ed her. "We shall start on our return voyage at onc

the girl said; "but I have no right to as

ertainly earned it. Without the help you gave us we co

he said. "With you men it is different. You are all risking something. You are actually helping, while I m

a tone of mock dismay; "of co

ldly over his shoulder at Kal

with our lot," he argued, impenitently. "`He only is a slave

d turned again to Miss Car

or a statue. "Sometimes I imagine he is all I might have been," he said, "had not God given me the strength to overcome myself. He has never denied himself in anything; he is as wilful and capricious as a girl. He makes a noble friend,

ut Kalonay seated himself coolly on the broad balustrade of the terrace with his hands on his

he said. He turned his head on one side,

, and too lazy to work; to be the last of a great name, and to have no chance to add to the glory of it, and no means to keep its dignity fresh and secure? Do you fancy I like to see myself drifting farther and farther away from the old standards and the old traditions

erty ever ignoble. You talk like a weak boy. Every word you say is your own condemnation. Why should you complain? Yo

ed herself and half

said the Prince, sternly. His face was flushed, and

. "Did he stand over him and upbraid him? You remember, he went to meet

and gave him the best he had." He stepped to Miss Carson's side and the two young people moved away smiling, and

s gets the best of me. He has been abusing me that way for two weeks now, and h

e he glanced shyly at her as though seeking her approbation, and not boldly, as he was accustomed to do when he talked with either men or women. To look at her with admiration was such a cheap form of appreciation, and one so distasteful to her, that had he known it, Kalonay's averted eye

er Paul, where they had each gone on the same errand, and since that meeting his whole manner toward

ad never before been so deeply roused by what was fine as well as beautiful. It seemed as though it were too complete and perfect. For he assured himself that she possessed everything-those qualities which he had never valued before because he believed them to be unattainable, and those others which he had made his idols. She was with him, mind and heart and soul, in the one desire of his life that he took seriously; she was of his religion, she was more noble than his noble sisters, and she was more beautiful than the day. In the first glow of the meeting it seemed to him as though fate had called them to do this work together,-she from the far shore of the Pacific, and he from his rocky island in the Middle Sea. And he saw with cruel distinctness, that if there were one thing wanting, it was himself. He worshipped her before he had bowed his first good-by to her, and that night he walked for miles up and down the long lengths of the avenue of the Champs-Elysees, facing the great change that she had brought into his life, but knowing himself to be utterly unfit for her coming. He felt like an unworthy steward caught at his master's

nt as she had to Kalonay, had been less considerate. But his attitude toward her was always that of a fellow-worker in the common cause. He treated her with a gratitude for the help she meant to give his people which much embarrassed her. His seriousness pleased her with him, seeing, as she did, that it was not his nature to be serious, and his enthusiasm and love for his half-civilized countrymen increased her interest in them, and her liking for him. She could not help but admire the way in which he accepted, without forcing her to make it any plainer, the fact that he held no place in her thoughts. And then she found that he began to hold more of a place in her thoughts than she had supposed any man could hol

at, seeing that it was not a tete-a-tete, joined them also. When he did so Kalonay asked the King for a word, and laying his hand upon his arm walked with him down the terrace, pointing ostensibly to where the yacht

ed and made a slight bow. "Your Majesty," he began, w

e to your Majesty first and asked your gracious approval. But those days are past, and we are living at the end of the century; and we do such things differently." He straightened himself and re

at the younger man with a look of distaste

e was always something about ric

ment with a shrug of his shoul

y times, and I thought I knew all there was of it. But now it seems different. No, it does not seem different," he corrected himself; "it is different, and

tone is a trifle peremptory-but you are interesting, most interesting! Kalonay in a n

t say, which is proverbial. It is, we know, attractive to women. Every woman acknowledges it. But your Majesty i

said the King; "

marry her at all, I am not marrying her for her money. You can't believe that. It isn't essential that you should. But I want you to leave the woman I hope to make my wife alone. I will allow no pr

s were wide apart now and his lips were parted an

ys her responsible," Kalon

uring which the two men stood

his hands slowly behind his back. "That sounds, m

meant it, too, your Majesty," he answ

welcome and approval. His manner was charmingly condescending, and in his appearance there was nothing more ser

tance more because she wished to be near a Prince and a King than because she cared for the souls of sixty thousand peasants. That she would surely lose her money, and could hardly hope to escape from them without losing her good name, did not concern him. It was not his duty to look after the reputation of any American heiress who thought she could afford to be unconventional. She had a mother to do that for her, and she was pretty enough, he concluded, to excuse many things,-so pretty that he wondered if he might brave the Countess Zara and offer Miss Carson the attentions to which Kalonay had made such arrogant objections. The King smiled at the thought, and let his little eyes fall for a moment on the tall figure of the girl with its crown of heavy golden hair, and on her clever, earnest eyes. She was certainly worth waiting for, and in the mean

ntimate and touched openly upon the successful visit of the two ambassadors to the island, and of Barrat's mission to Paris. O

chances before him and smiled to find them good. He was grandly at peace with himself and with the world. Whatever happened, he was already richer by some 300,000 francs, and in a day, if he could keep the American girl to her expedition had been played he would be free,-free to return to his clubs and to his boulevards and boudoirs, with money enough

him shamefully, as they had done in the past. His armed expedition might open certain doors to him; his name-and he smiled grimly as he imagined it-would ring throughout Europe as the Soldier King, as the modern disciple of the divine right of kings. He saw, in his mind's eye, even the possibility of a royal alliance and a pension from one of the great Powers. No matter where he looked he could see nothing but gain to himself, more power for pleasure, more chances of greater fortune

sigh of pleasure, he threw back his head and smiled arrogantly upon the sunny terrace and the green palms and the brilliant blue sea,

sed the bewildered guards with a cheery nod, and, striding before the open windows, knocked with his fist upon the portal

in his chair. He had the gambler's superstitious regard for trifles, and this

open windows with an express

peevishly. "What are you st

at his right. "Did you see him?"

pardon," he said, nodding his head toward the women. He pushed back his chair and stood i

assed the window,"

nt. What shall I tell him?" he asked, turning to Barrat. "Do y

ng," said the King. "What

nay answered, without turning his head. His eyes were s

id, "that we should be free from that sort of thing. That is why I agreed t

s lips together a

ke that," he said. "He is a

ord to pay blackmail to any amount than have my plans spoiled now by the newspapers. Give him what he want

shrugged his shoulders. "He is not a bo

onay, "who live on chantage and the Monte Carlo propaganda fund. This man

r, exchanging rapid glances. "Is it Archie Gordon yo

n. He writes books and explor

in the Congo," contributed Colonel Erhaupt. "I

d a week. He meant American dollars, but they thought he meant pounds, so they cabled back that they'd pay one-half that sum. He answered, `One hundred or nothing,' and they finally a

ing. "He is much too good for daily wear. We d

as a great friend of the family; wasn't he, mother? We haven't seen him for two years now, but I know he wouldn't spoil our plans

King urged. "He may not have come here to see us.

tation, "that if I spoke to him I might be able to put it

agerly, and rising to his feet; "if yo

ation altogether, fastened his eye

e you, Patricia," said

uld be very glad to see us again. And if we do see him we can make him promise not to

en left the room together, the men standing regarding each other anxiously across the table. When they had gone the King lit a cigarette and, turning his back on his compan

They showed no sign of surprise at the fact of his addressing them in their own tongue further than that they answered him with a show of respect which they had not exhibited toward those the

well, Mrs. Carson-and as for Patty-I am almost afraid of her-I've been hearing all sorts of things about you lately, Patty," he went on, turning a smiling countenance toward the girl. "About your engagements to princes a

, plaintively, sinking into a chair. "I'm glad to see

ost wasted away, and so sunburned I hardly knew him. Except round the forehead," she added, mockingly, "and I sup

with a nod. "They're not so common. And if I'm wasted away,

" Miss Carson said dryly, as she

?" the young man asked. "I thought this

at the Continental, on the hill there. We are on

incredulous smile. "Who? Not

im in silence, and her mother gave a little

, coldly. "We are breakfasting with

the girl lowered her eyes, and, bending forward in her

eet him, in Heaven's name?" he asked, roughly. "Have you been seen wit

ed. Her lower lip was trembling, and she tw

arson repeated, meeting Gordon's look

nner, as though he now saw the situation was much more serious than he had at first

son and she straightened her shoulders and turned her eyes away from Gordon with ev

t have known him so very lo

one card from another will play with him. That is his reputation. And to help him live up to it he has surrounded himself with a parcel of adventurers as rascally as himself: a Colonel Erhaupt who was dropped from a German regiment, and who is a Colonel only by the favor of the Queen of Madagascar; a retired croupier named Barrat; and a fallen angel called Kalonay, a fellow of the very best blood in Europe and with the very worst morals. They call him the King's jackal, and he is one of the most delightf

at brought me here, and I must say I rather admire him for attempting such a thing. Of course, it was Kalonay who put him up to it; he would never have stirred from the boulevards if that young man had not made him. But he is here, nevertheless, waiting for a favorable opportunity to sail, and he has ten thousand rifles and three Maxim guns lying in his yacht out there in the harbor. That

n, sharply-"and now that you have foll

tures later, or he would telegraph the story at once to his paper. It was with him, he said, entirely a question as to which course would be of the greater news value. If he told what he now knew, his paper would be the first of all others to, i

expression in which indignation a

ic Church on that island; it means the return of the monks and the rebuilding of the monasteries, and the salvation of sixty thousand souls. I know all that they mean to do. I am the one who paid for those rifles that brought you here; you have told me only what I have

allowed this-what have you been doing while this was going on? Do you suppose those scoundrels care for the Church-the Church, indeed! Wait until I see them-any of them-Erhaupt by choice, and I'll make them give up every franc you've lent them, or I'll horsewhip and expose them for the gang of

you! You go back to your hotel now, and let me have a chat with Louis of Messina. He's kept me waiting some twenty minutes as it is, and that's

the man, this Father Paul, made me think of one of the disciples. I asked them why he did not preach on the land, and they told me that he and all of the priests had been banished from the island six years before, and that they could only return by stealth and dared not land except by night. When the priest had finished speaking, I had myself rowed out to his boat, and I talked a long time with him, and he told me of this plan to re-establish himself and his order. I offered to help him with my money, and he promised me a letter to Cardinal Napoli. It reached me on my return to Rome, and through the influence of the Cardinal I was given an audience with the Pope, and I was encouraged to aid Father Paul as far as I could. I had meant to build a memorial church for father, but they urged me to give the money instead to this cause. All my dealings until to-day have been with Father Paul alone. I have seen a little of the Prince Kalonay because the

ious business than a newspaper story. You misunderstand me utterly, Patty.

looked down at the y

common sense tell me is right. I shall hate you if you attempt to interfere. You can do one of two things, Archie. I give you your choice: you can either go with them as a volunteer, and p

ossed the terrace quickly with an amused and puzzled countenance, and walked into the breakfast-room, from the windows of which, as he rightly guessed, the

inst the Republic of Messina?" Gordon said. "I am

I

ountry were planned for their honor and daily entertainment. Had the conspirators held aloof from these, the residents might have asked, since it was not to enjoy themselves, what was the purpose of their stay in Tangier; and so, to allay suspicion as to their real object, different members of the expedition had been assigned from time to

fighting and of danger, of possible honor and success, stirred the hearts of the young men gloriously, and as they galloped across the plains, or raced each other from point to point, or halted to jump their ponies across the many gaping crevices which the sun had split in the surface of the plain, they filled the still, warm air with their sho

p panting, with her sailor hat and hair falling to her shoulders. T

t open and had forgotten to close it again. Believe me, it is most unsafe and dangerous. Your pony mi

when you can't see the barbed wire. You are the last person in

guests in his garden, and the servants were passing among them, carrying cool drinks and powdered sweets and Turkish co

ing at her wistfully. The girl stood motionless; her eyes were serious, and she measured the distance down the walk to the arbor as though she sa

last, and moved on before

plants and flowers, some native to Morocco and some transplanted from their English home. From where they sat they could see the other guests moving in an

Prince said humbly, "only because I am going away, and it may be my las

t a terrible offence to talk to a girl at a garden-party. But you said there

d slightly and stared past him at the burning white walls and the bur

-" she repeat

nay continued; "and then we-then w

hands as they lay in her lap and frowned at th

now what that means. And you like it," she added, with a glance of mingled admiration a

sand with his ridingwhip,

d that you can live with your own people again, and because it is a holy war. That must be it. Now that it is r

ly and well. I am afraid I should not have thought of it," he went on, naively, as though he were trying to be quite fair, "had not Father Paul pointed out to me what I should do, how I could raise the people and stop the abuses which made them drive us from the island. The people must be taxed less heavily, and the money must be spent for them and not for us, on roads and harbors and schools, not at the Palace on banquets and fetes. These are Father Paul's ideas, not mine,-but now I make them mine." He rose and paced the length of the little arbor, his hands clasped behind him and his eyes bent on the ground. "Yes, that is what I mean to do," he said. "That is the way I mean to live. And if we fail, I mean to be among those who are to die on the forti

when one truly cares, he does not ask whether the other cares or not. It is what one gives that counts, not what one receives. You have given me nothing-nothing-not a word nor a look; yet since I have known you I have been more madly happy in just knowing that you live than I would have been had any other woman in all the world thrown herself into my arms and said she loved me above all other men. I am not fit to tell you this. But to-night I go to try myself, either never to see y

them again and again, and then, rising quickly, walked out of the arbor into the white sunshine, and

the town stretched to meet the low, white, sand-hills in a crescent of low, white houses pierced by green minarets and royal palms. A warm sun had sent the world to sleep at mid-day, and an enforced peace hung over the glaring white town and the sparkling blue sea. Gordon blinked at the glare, but his eyes showed no signs of drowsiness. They were, on the contrary, awake to all that passed on the high road behind him, and on the sandy beach at his feet, while at the same time his mind was busily occupied in reviewing what had occurred the day before, and in adjusting new conditions. At the hotel he had found that the situation was becoming too complicated, and that it was impossible to feel sure of the truth of anything, or of the sincerity of anyone. Since the luncheon hour the day before he had beco

course ignorant that the expedition was only a make-believe, he felt a certain respect for his fellow-conspirators as men who were willing to stake their lives for a chance of better fortune. But that their bravery was of the kind which would make them hesitate to rob and deceive a helpless girl he very much doubted; for he knew that even the bra

s and titles with the modern manners of the men themselves. It had interested him to watch Baron Barrat bring out the ancient crown and jewelled sceptre which had been the regalia of all the Kings of Messina since the Crusades and spread them out upon a wicker tea-table, from which Niccolas had just removed some empty coffee-cups, half filled with the ends of cigarettes, some yellow-backed novels, and a copy of the Paris Figaro. It was

d promised much and prophesied the best of fortunes, and then, at the last, had turned sudde

nd where the love of liberty is inherent." The King took a quick step backward, and taking Miss Carson's hand drew her forward beside him and placed her facing his audience, while the girl made vain efforts to withdraw her hand. "This is she," he said earnestly, "the true daughter of the Church who has made it possible for us to return to our own again.

crying out at the false position into which he had dragged her; and yet there was something so admirably sincere in the King's words, something so courteous and manly, that it robbed hi

o hot at the recollection that he struck the wall beside him savagely with his clinched fist, and damned the obstinacy o

d himself like a soldier, and Gordon put him down at a glance as one of the volunteers from Paris. The stranger was walking leisurely, stopping to gaze at the feluccas in the bay, and then turning to look up at the fortress on the hill. He seemed to have no purpose in his walk exc

All the roads lead to it

, and, removing his helmet, mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. "It is a curious old town, Tang

nted, "if you like the boulevards. I prefer this place because

Grande Bretagne, which stood a quarter

, is it not?" he asked. Gor

g there en suite," the stranger added, with an interrogative air of one who v

Gordon replied. "I only

p his umbrella as though to continue his stroll. As he did so his eyes wandered over the harbor and were arrested with

harbor, I see. She is very pretty, but n

interest. "Is that a man-of-war? I thought it was a yacht," he said

rench myself, but I think she is a man-of-war. I saw

le of where the yacht lay at anchor, but he considered it

tagne, and come toward them along the beach. The Frenchman, following the direction of his eyes, saw her also, and regarded her instantly with such evident concern that Gordon,

a good-morning," said t

atched both the woman and the Frenchman as they advanced slowly from opposite directions and drew nearer together, and he was not altogether surprised, when the in man was within twenty feet of her, to see her start and stand still, and then, with the indecision of a hunted animal, move uncertainly,

" he exclaimed aloud. The man had moved quickly past Madame Zara, and had started toward the hotel, and Zara had held out her hand to him, as though to entreat him to remain. But he did not stop, and she had taken a few uncertain steps after him, and had then, much to the American's dismay, fallen limply on her

. His manner was no longer one of idle indole

," he said. "It is most dangerous

ef in it bathed her temples and cheek. He had time to note that she was a very beautiful girl

ce, said the stranger, uneasily, as the wo

you are and shade her with her umbre

ment and made an effort to rise, and in her endeavor to do so her eyes met those of the Frenchm

aid Gordon, "and go stand

much too occupied with something of personal interest to concern himself with a woman's fainting-spell. The girl lifted herself slowly to her elbow, and then, be

he Frenchman, who stood moodily staring at the sea and tearing one of his finger-nails with his teeth. He seemed utterly o

to your hotel?" he asked

man could have easily overheard had he been listening

ously unconscious of them she moved so that Gordon hid her from h

om Messina. He is Renauld, the Commander-in-Chief of their army. He must be gott

ked. "How do you know he is Gener

sed her head

to me-that was what frightened me into that fainting-spell. I didn't think I was so weak," she sa

and send those guards here on a run. I'll make a charge against him and hav

ade his writings attractive to the reader, and an object of concern to his editor. At the very word "spy," and at this first hint of opposition to the cause in wh

ly unmindful of the waves that stole up to his feet and left little pools of water in his path. Gordon beckoned impatiently to the two soldiers who came running toward

g is in danger while that man is here. Your duty is to prot

d in assent. "The King him

rench Consul-General. If he sees the Consul-General he will tell him a great many lies about you, and a great war-ship will come and your Bash

renchman, and when they had overt

order for your arrest. I speak the language, and if you

ed incredulously but with no great confidence. He had much to

King's guests. She has complained to him, and he has sent these soldiers to put you where you cannot

er," the man retorted. "That is

you," said Gordon, backing away with the evident

me. I do not know which, but I am here to find out. That

as he still retreated. "In the Civil Prison

him, shrugging off the hand one of th

ay, sir?" he demanded. "B

," Gordon answered. "I b

ef. "I have been right from the very first. I see it plainly. It is a double plot, and you ar

d back at the man over

execute him, but they put off the execution until he could tell them the story of the Beautiful Countess and the French Envoy. I am s

nxious to escape, for he was conscious that he could be observed from every point in the town. A hundred yards aw

though he feared that even at that distance Gordon and the Frenchman could overhear his words.

," Zara answered. "He is lea

nd saw the four figures grouped

within a plot, and I believe you know it," he added, furiously. "You are one

Confound your impudence, what

Gordon turned his eyes in the same direction. Something he saw in the strained

city gate; and before the Frenchman could reply, he gave an order to the gua

e separated, and the boy thinks he is rendering us

y lit a cigar and stood looking out at the harbor until the Frenchman had d

ot like his following him,"

keeps himself well out of sight. The boy knows better than to compromise himself by being seen in conversation with the man. Of course, if Renauld is set free we must say we had no part in his arrest, that the American made the

tressed when I was so silly as to faint on the beach just now. He handled me as tenderly

imile was rather misp

tors were just ahead, toiling heavily up the steep and narrow street. Gordon threw his cigar from

to the dark, cool recesses of a coffee-shop and held back the rug th

ordingly when, three hours after he had seen Gordon apparently commit the French officer to jail, he found them leaving

don that Zara and Kalonay sold the secret of the expedition, and Gordon will be c

presence to answer his charges, and she will tell him he lies. That is all there will be of

ards will rush in and find us struggling together. We will charge him with an attempt at assassina

, by way of Gibraltar, and h

iends here that must not find us out. That is the main thing. Thank Heaven!" he exclaimed, "Kalonay and Paul

th him. Suppose he believes, suppose he believes that Kalo

n the prison too, if he interferes. Or Erhaupt can pick a quarrel with him here and fight it out be

g slightly, and she glanced fea

ot do that,

, madame?" d

hispered. "He will murder him as he

owled the German. "Is she mad?

fired before they gave the word. I know you did. Oh, Louis," she cried, "you ne

held out her hands appealingly. "Indeed,"

Kalonay, and you shall swear that he is in the plot against me. If you fail us now, we are ruined. As it is, we are sure to lose the bribe from the Republic, but we may still get Miss Ca

. "It is always wit

nce, but if you stand to your story, and we preten

. I shall break down. They will see that I am lying. Send me away. Send me away before they come. Tell them I saw

"She will do us more harm than good.

he King, sternly. "And she will keep h

nce," he said, grimly. He was standing at the window which overlooked the beach. "Here they com

to the window, and peer

and those who had remained in Tangier. Gordon and the Frenchman Renauld were far in the lead, walking by themselves and speaking earnestly together; Fath

ss Zara had disappeared. "It is better so," said Erhaupt; "

has come, it is our last chance," he said. "Send for the Crown Prince, Baro

n eager gestu

must not hear them. You know how Kalonay worships the child, and it would enrage him more to be exposed before the

claimed the King. "The boy w

ent and feelings, and when we all turn on him he will act like a madman. Keep the boy out of his sight, I tell

protector and tutor of the heir-apparent. If this one chooses to give his heart with his service, that is not my c

rather sit with the boy in the Champs-Elysees and point out the people as they go by than drive at the side of the prettiest woman in Paris. He always treats him as though he saw the in

is to be sacrificed, and that is all there is of it. The presence of the child may make him more

person who could make him laugh out of pure happiness and for no reason, as a child should laugh. And people who had seen them together asked which of the princes was the older of the two. When the child entered the room, clinging to Barrat's finger, he carried in his other hand a wooden spade and bucket, still damp with sand, and he was dressed in a shabby blue sailor suit which left his little legs bare, and exposed the scratches and bruises of many falls. A few moments l

in his, and bowed, looking inquirin

Was it discreet of you to come together in this way? But y

dded to him as though to make him their sp

d in town. He tells us he has news of the greatest importance to communicate, which he cannot disclose except to you, and in the presence of all of those who are to take part in the expedition. We deci

hought was for the best. If he has taken a liberty, the nature of his news will probably excuse him. Perhaps, Mr. Gordon," he added, turnin

the King had passed upon his conduct. He only smiled pleasantly when the King

tion have been sold to the Republic of Messina. One of those now present in this room is charged with havi

King and himself. The instant he ceased speaking there rose from their ranks an outburst of consternation, of anger, and of indig

your life perhaps." He paused significantly, and there was a second outburst, this time from the younger men, which came so sudd

risks in making charges is not important. That your expedition has failed before

lace beside Miss Carson's chair. He was so greatly moved that when he spoke his voice

hief of the army of Messina. He is my authority. He knows all that you mean to do. If he knows it, it is likely, is it not,

utburst that followed this by

nd General Renauld followed the yacht here to learn what he could of our plans-of our intended movements. He came here to spy on us, and as a spy I ordered Mr. Gordon to arrest him this morning on any charge he pleased, and to place him out of our way until after to-night, when we should have sailed. I chose Mr. Gordon to undertake this service because he happened to speak the language of the country, and it was necessary to deal directly with the local authorities without the intervention of an outsider. What has happened is only too evident. The spy, who when he came here only suspected, now, as Mr. Gordon says, knows the truth, and he could have learned it only from one person, to whom he has no doubt paid a pretty price for the information." The King took a step forward and pointed with his han

Erhaupt muttered; "he would have ma

as a King," wh

effort to check. Neither Gordon nor General Renauld gave any sign that they observed it. The American was busily engaged in searching his

ogether. What his Majesty says is in part correct. I did not take this gentleman to jail; I did take him to a cafe, and there he told me much more concerning the expedition than I had learned from those directly interested. His information, he told me, had been sold to the Republic by one who visite

the audacity of his admission so surprised his hearers that they were silent again immedia

ent," he said, "and to which, with his permission,

t hour when they will leave Tangier, at what hour they expect to land, at what place they expect to land

NA

answer, which was received a half hour ago, removes all suspicion from any save those he names. General Renauld and myself cease to be of the least consequence in the matter; we are

feet and struck the arm of his

"If we have a traitor here, he is a traitor against m

e King again struck the arm of his chair for silence. Kalonay advanc

should all lie under suspicion, as we must unless it is told who has been guilty of this infamy. I beg your Majesty to reconsider. There is no one in this room wh

y. Miss Carson, in her excitement, had risen to her feet and was standing holding her mother's ha

f relief, and turning quickly searched the faces of those around him. What he saw seemed to confirm him in his purp

"You have no choice in the matter, sir," Kalonay

d," the priest demanded, in a voice that held

d Gordon, "because the person c

or reading it," said Kalonay.

ed in silence that expressed their interest more

King said, at last. "You may

with a grave and perplexed expression, and then, with a short brea

daybreak Thursday morning on the south beach below the old breakwater. The secret of the exped

Kalonay, held out his hand, with a smile. "I don't be

ords. He was turning in bewilderment from the K

nded. "Whose sorry trick is this

ered the room, but now he advanced in front of

he Countess Zara write out that paper, which I and others signed, and in which

o Kalonay's other side, and the three men had unconsciously assumed an attitude of defence, and stood back to bac

adame Zara?

k into his chair. "She has fled. It is all too e

eared between them, glancing fearfully at the excited crowd before her. As she stood hesitating on the threshold, she swayed slightly and clutched the curtains for

s of his head toward the heavy curtains. The woman rai

s?" he asked. The

the priest's eyes ran quickly over t

to pay the Countess Zara and the Prince Kalonay three hundred thousand francs, if the e

of warning, "do you pretend that the Prince Kalonay was y

once more bo

k," commanded the

e. "I do," she said, at last, in a low voice. "Kalonay did know. He thought the revolution would not succeed; he thought it would fail, and so-and

held her, she gave a cry and pulled herself free. She staggered and would have fallen, had not Gordon caug

s a woman; we cannot punish her. Her sins rest on her own head. But you-you," he cried, turning fiercely on Kalonay, his voice rising to a high and melancholy key,

ered desperate by the failure of their expedition, caught up the word, and pressing forward

enging them to listen, when there was an opening in the circle and the men stepped back, and Miss Carson pushed her way among them and halted at Kalonay's side. She did not look at him, but at the men about him. She was the only calm figure in the g

"Go on, madame," she urged, gently. "Do not be afraid. You say they made you do it. Who made you do it? You have told us a part of the truth. Now tell us the whole truth." For a moment the girl seemed much the older of the two, and as Zara glanc

him like a mask. His face was mottled, and his vicious little eyes flashed with fe

the King cried. "We will not

rhaupt, with a laugh. "If sh

ung himself upon Erhaupt and struck him in the face, so that he staggered and fell

said, "and get out of this

with resolve and indignation. She stood erect and menacing, like an angry

do it. He sent me to Messina, and while the priest and the Prince Kalonay were working in the south, I sold them to the government at the capital. Barrat knew it, Erhaupt knew it, the King himself planned it-to get money. He has robbed all of his own people; he had meant to rob this you

hout waiting to learn what effect her words might have, made her way swiftly

fearfully from under his lowered eyebrows at the faces about him, and on none d

as though answering their unspo

showed on the face of each. From outside a sea-breeze caught up the sand of the beach and drove it whispering a

before the King, regarding him with an expression of grief and bit

, and has met with but one reward,-ingratitude and selfishness and treachery. You know how I have served you, Louis. You know that I gave up my fortune and my home to go into exile with you, and I did that gladly. But I did more than that. I did more than any king or any man has the right to expect of any other man. I served your idle purposes so well that you, yourself, called me your jackal, the only title your Majesty has ever bestowed that was deserved. There is no low thing nor no bas

hearing he had renounced what was to him his religion and his faith, and on the faces of all was the expression of a deep pity and concern. Their own

n Prince had stood clinging to his nurse's skirts, an uncomprehending spectator of what was going forward. But he now advanced slowly, feeling that the silence invited

esolutely away. There was a breathless hush in the room as the child, with a happy sigh, ran to his former friend and comrade, and reached up both his arms. The tableau was a familiar one to those who knew them, and meant only that the child asked to be lifted up and swung to the man's shoulder; but following as it did on what had just passed, the ge

ed, and he stood, a lonely little figure, glancing up at the circle of men ab

ince dropped on his knee and caught the child toward him, crushing him against his heart, and burying his face on his shoulder. There was a shout of exultation from the nobles, and an uttered

." He swung the Crown Prince high upon his shoulder, and held his other arm above his head. "You will help me place this child upon his throne," he commanded, and the room rang with cheers. "You will appeal to his people," he cried. "Do you not think they will rise to this standard-bearer, will they not rally to his call? For he is a true Prince, my comrades, who comes to them with no stain

poured out upon the terrace, running toward the shore, and filling the soft

took her hand. His face was radiant with triumph and content. He regarded her

nderstand how much that means to me? When all had turned agains

ll you the Defender of the Faith now; you are the guardian of a King." She smiled at the little boy in his arms, and made a sligh

arrat bowed behind him, but pulling, with philosophic calm, on a cigarette, and Father Paul and Gordon were in close conversation with Mrs. Carson at the farther end of the room. The sun had set, an

aside, making an effort to free her hand, but Kalonay hel

e and love in her eyes that he read his answer, though she shoo

send for me, and I shall come and give you my answer; and

ere smiling with such happiness that the little child in his arms read it there, an

ross the room and bowed, makin

ss his Royal Highness? I should like to

wise eyes on him in silence, an

ighness's hand," sa

nd pressed the f

n the court-room with the Kings and Queens around her. A dozen times this a

nd glanced toward Miss C

nderstand,

id Gordon; "You have not been educate

into the side of the Crown Prince. The child gasped and stared open-mouthed at the

d him. God bless your Royal Highness," he said, bowing gravely. "You may find me disrespectful at times," he added; "b

and then held out his hand. "You also had faith in me," he said.

merican, "unless we separate on our several paths of glory-w

k so. If you wish, I shall attach you to the person of the Cro

a low and

he said. "I thank you," he add

er head at him, and

e everything as a jo

"the situation is much too ser

joined them; but on the threshold Kalonay stopped and looke

ed on the table at the King's elbow. "Colonel Gordon," he said, in a tone of assured authority, "I give the crown of Messina into yo

g at the King, passed on with the others across the terrace and dis

ression of awe and amusement that a man shows when he is permitted to hold a strange baby in his arms. Turning, he saw the sinister eyes of the King and of Barrat fastened upon him, and he smiled awkwardly, and in some embarr

none at all in my country, and I should think-seeing they are so few-that those who have them would take better care of them, and try to keep

he temptation to say `I told you so' seems almost impossible to resist. What?" he asked-"I beg your pardon, I thought

smay at its former owner, and let it swing from his hand; but this fashion of carrying it seemed also

said, in a grieved tone. "You see, I am new at this sort of thing. Perhaps your Ma

s snapped open

d," he sai

ghed in gr

must be going, sir," he added, nodding, and moving toward the door. "Don't be discouraged. As someone says, `It's a

rted apartment where the denunciations of those who had abandoned them still seemed to hang and echo in the darkness. What thoughts passed through their minds or for how long a time they might still have sat in bitter contemplation can only be guessed, for they were su

y is served

ront; but in the obsequious bow of his majordomo there was no mockery, and the table beyond glistened wit

gentle sigh, and no

. "The rascals have robbed us of our throne, but, than