The Fate of a Crown

n the spy, who doubtless imagined many dangers in addition to those indicated in my diary. For my part, I became a bit ashamed of the imposition I

everal attempts to resume our former friendly intercourse

to confide to Dr. Neel, in a mysterious manner that must have amused him, that I was afflicted with an incomprehensible disease. He promptly mistook me for a hypochondriac, and humored me in a good-natured fashion, so that we were frequently observed by de Guarde in earnest and confidential conversation. My ruse

e doubts that so evidently oppressed him. He secluded himself in his state-room, under pretense o

Neel, which I parried in a way that tended to convince him that the physician was none other than the secret emissary sent by my uncle to Miguel de Pintra. The good Captain w

on a clear June morning at daybreak, and no time was lost in transferring the passengers o

y to Dr. Neel, who drove directly to his hotel, I caught a glimpse

I experienced on board the ship was dissolved by the bright sunshine and the sight o

k being decidedly grateful after the days on shipboard. Much as I longed to see the beauties of Brazil’s famous capital, I dared not at this

is back, was now a power to be reckoned with, and as soon as he discovered that I had misled him the police would doubtles

without difficulty and found I h

Cuyaba,” I said to th

he handed the card

enhor,” he said. “It l

I returned,

odd uniform of black

id he, touching his visor in salute

nd I, realizing that trouble had already

four high wheels and covered with canvas. Startled at the sight I half turne

, my captor seating himself upon the bench besid

nt seat. One was driving the horses, and presently the

policeman

rco?” he demanded, in

rds I caught a quick flash as the man called Marco

the floor of the now flying wagon. The driver had but given a gla

dark eyes of the murderer. He smiled as he answered my l

n his soft, native patois. 35“Dom Miguel woul

tar

! You know

therwise you would not be so foolish as to deman

said, after a moment’s thou

t in order to insure your safety. I am sorry,” he added, gently touching the motionless

you taking

, where you may catch t

d y

done this cruel deed—and you will escape. The dr

d at no crime to advance their interests. If the royalists were but half so cruel I had indeed ventured into a nest of adders. And it was the thought o

jerk that nearly threw me from my seat. The s

nd the buildings of the city lay

stop to let you aboard. Farewell, and kindl

the tracks and waved the flag as 37directed. The engine slowed down, stopped a brie

ent, at leas

cting as secretary to a great political leader engaged in a struggle for the freedom of his country. The suggestion of danger my post involved had not frightened me, nor did it even now; but I shrank from the knowledge that cold-blooded assassination was apparently of little moment to these conspirators. In less than two hours after landing at Rio I found myself

the interior. Yet the country was beautifully green and peaceful under the steady

lthough at first I looked for arrest at every station where we halted, there

ted at a way-station, and a couple of hours later, as I was gazing thoughtfully out the window, the conductor aroused m

choking and coughing between the words. “It instructed me to a

stared back in

sent this trip from Rio, you know; but I cannot find the fellow anywhere aboard. Do you wonder?

n. The conductor nudged

e forest. Were I the American, and aboard this train, I would get out there, and wait among the trees in the forest until Dom Miguel’

platform. We slowed up at the curve a moment later, and I sprang to the ground an

t, and wishing with all my heart I had never ventured into this intrigue-ridden country. But

e road that wound between the railway track and the forest. It was drive

site me I stepped

om Miguel de Pi

nod

ise at my action, nor, indeed, any great interest in the meeting; but as soon as I was seated he whipped