\"Thatisnothing，\"answeredtheKing。\"Heisgoingtoplaythespyandseethatthemanissafelyinjail。Thenhewillreturnandreporttous。Wemustcongratulatehimwarmly。Hefollowsatadiscreetdistance，youobserve，andkeepshimselfwelloutofsight。Theboyknowsbetterthantocompromisehimselfbybeingseeninconversationwiththeman。Ofcourse，ifRenauldissetfreewemustsaywehadnopartinhisarrest，thattheAmericanmadethearrestonhisownauthority。Whataconvenienttooltheyoungmanis。Why，hiscomingreallyfrightenedusatfirst，andnow——nowwemakeacat’s—pawofhim。\"TheKinglaughedmerrily。\"Weundervalueourselvessometimes，dowenot？\"
\"Heisaniceboy，\"saidZara。\"Ifeelrathersorryforhim。
HelookedsoanxiousanddistressedwhenIwassosillyastofaintonthebeachjustnow。Hehandledmeastenderlyasawomanwouldhavedone——notthatwomenhavegenerallyhandledmetenderly，\"sheadded。
\"Iwasthinkingthesimilewasrathermisplaced，\"saidtheKing。
Gordonpassedthecitywallandheardthegatesswingtobehindhim。TheFrenchmanandhistwocaptorswerejustahead，toilingheavilyupthesteepandnarrowstreet。GordonthrewhiscigarfromhimandranleapingoverthehugecobblestotheFrenchman’ssideandtouchedhimontheshoulder。
\"Weareoutofsightofthehotel，now，General，\"hesaid。Hepointedtothedark，coolrecessesofacoffee—shopandheldbacktherugthathungbeforeit。\"Comeinhere，\"hesaid，\"andtellmethatstory。\"
IV
BaronBarratwassuspiciousbyeducation——hisexperienceoflifeandhisownconducthadtendedtorenderhimso；andaccordinglywhen，threehoursafterhehadseenGordonapparentlycommittheFrenchofficertojail，hefoundthemleavingacafeinthemostfriendlyandamicablespirit，hewastednotimeininvestigation，buthurriedatoncetowarntheKing。
\"Whatwefearedwouldhappen，hashappened，\"hesaid。\"TheFrenchmanhastoldGordonthatZaraandKalonaysoldthesecretoftheexpedition，andGordonwillbecomingheretowarnyouofit。Now，whatareyougoingtodo？Wemustactquickly。\"
\"IshallrefusetobelievetheFrenchman，ofcourse，\"saidtheKing。\"IshallaskZarainhispresencetoanswerhischarges，andshewilltellhimhelies。Thatisalltherewillbeofit。Whatdoesitmatterwhathesays？Wesailatmidnight。Wecankeephimquietuntilthen。\"
\"IfheistroublesomeIcancallforhelpfromthisroom，andtheservantsofthehotelandtheguardswillrushinandfindusstrugglingtogether。Wewillchargehimwithanattemptatassassination，andthistimehesurelywillgotojail。Byto—morrowmorningweshallbemanymilesatsea。\"
\"ButhecancabletoMessina，bywayofGibraltar，andheadusoff，\"objectedBarrat。
\"Whatcanhecable？\"demandedtheKing。\"NothingthepeopleoftheRepublicdonotalreadyknow。Itisourfriendsherethatmustnotfindusout。Thatisthemainthing。ThankHeaven!\"heexclaimed，\"KalonayandPaulareoutoftheway，andthosecrazyboysfromParis。Wewillsettleithereamongourselvesinfiveminutes。\"
\"AndtheAmerican？\"askedZara。\"Heknows，hewillcomewithhim。Supposehebelieves，supposehebelievesthatKalonayandIhavesoldyouout，butsuspectsthatyouknowit？\"
\"TheAmericancangotothedevil，\"saidtheKing。\"Confoundhimandhisinsolence。I’llhavehimintheprisontoo，ifheinterferes。OrErhauptcanpickaquarrelwithhimhereandfightitoutbehindthesand—hillsbeforetheothersgetbackfromtheirpicnic。Hehasdoneasmuchformebefore。\"
Zarastoodup。Shewastremblingslightly，andsheglancedfearfullyfromErhaupttotheKing。
\"Youwillnotdothat，\"shesaid。
\"Andwhynot，madame？\"demandedLouis。
\"Becauseitwillbemurder，\"Zarawhispered。\"HewillmurderhimashedidthatboyintheParkatPesth。\"
\"Whatdoesthewomanmean？\"growledtheGerman。\"Isshemad？
Sendhertoherroom，Louis。\"
\"YouknowwhatImean，\"Zaraanswered，hervoicerising，inherexcitement。\"Youfiredbeforetheygavetheword。Iknowyoudid。Oh，Louis，\"shecried，\"youneverwarnedmeitmightcometothis。Iamafraid。Iamafraidtomeetthatman————\"
Shegaveasuddencry。\"AndKalonay!\"Sheheldoutherhandsappealingly。\"Indeed，\"shecried，\"donotletKalonayquestionme。\"
\"Silence!\"commandedtheKing。\"Youareactinglikeafool。\"
Headvancedtowardher，andclaspedherwristfirmlyinhishand。\"Nonerves，now，\"hesaid。\"I’llnothaveit。YoushallmeetKalonay，andyoushallswearthatheisintheplotagainstme。Ifyoufailusnow，weareruined。Asitis，wearesuretolosethebribefromtheRepublic，butwemaystillgetMissCarson’smoneyifyouplayyourpart。ItisyourwordandthewordoftheFrenchmanagainstKalonay’s。
AndwehavethepapersignedbyyouforKalonayasevidence。
Haveyougotitwithyou？\"
Zarabowedherhead。\"Itisalwayswithme，\"sheanswered。
\"Good，\"saidtheKing。\"Itwillbeadifficultchance，butifyoustandtoyourstory，andwepretendtobelieveyou，theothersmaybelieveyou，too。\"
\"ButIcannot，\"Zaracried。\"IknowIcannot。ItellyouifyouputmefacetofacewithKalonay，Ishallfailyou。I
shallbreakdown。TheywillseethatIamlying。Sendmeaway。Sendmeawaybeforetheycome。TellthemIsawtheFrenchman，andsuspectedIhadbeenfoundout，andthatIhavegoneaway。Tellthemyoudon’tknowwhereIam。\"
\"Ibelieveshe’sright，\"Erhauptsaid。\"Shewilldousmoreharmthangood。Lethergotoherroomandwaitthere。\"
\"Shewillremainwheresheis，\"saidtheKing，sternly。\"Andshewillkeephercourageandherwitsabouther，or————\"
HewasinterruptedbyanexclamationfromBarrat。\"Whateveryoumeantodo，youmustdoitatonce，\"hesaid，grimly。Hewasstandingatthewindowwhichoverlookedthebeach。\"Heretheycomenow，\"hecontinued。\"TheAmericanhastakennochances，heisbringinganaudiencewithhim。\"
TheKingandErhauptrantothewindow，andpeeredoverBarrat’sshoulder。
Advancingtowardthemalongthebeach，someonfoot，andsomeonhorseback，wereallthemembersoftheexpedition，thosewhohadbeenoftheriding—partyandthosewhohadremainedinTangier。GordonandtheFrenchmanRenauldwerefarinthelead，walkingbythemselvesandspeakingearnestlytogether；
FatherPaulwaswalkingwithMrs。Carsonandherdaughter，andKalonaywasridingwithtwoofthevolunteers，theCountdeRouenandPrinceHenriofPoitiers。
WhentheKingandErhauptturnedfromthewindowtheCountessZarahaddisappeared。\"Itisbetterso，\"saidErhaupt；\"shewassobadlyfrightenedshewouldhavetoldthetruth。\"
TheKingstoodleaningonthebackofalargearm—chair。
\"Well，themomenthascome，itisourlastchance，\"hesaid。
\"SendfortheCrownPrince，Baron。Ishallbediscoveredintheactoftakingatenderfarewellofmyson。\"
Barratmadeaneagergestureofdissent。
\"Iwouldnotdothat，\"hecried。\"Ifwearetomakechargesagainstthejackaldonothavetheboypresent；theboymustnothearthem。YouknowhowKalonayworshipsthechild，anditwouldenragehimmoretobeexposedbeforethePrincethanbeforealltherestoftheworld。Hewillbehardenoughtohandlewithoutthat。Don’ttryhimtoofar。\"
\"Youareabsurd，Barrat，\"exclaimedtheKing。\"Theboywon’tunderstandwhatissaid。\"
\"No，buttheJackalwill，\"Barratreturned。\"Youdon’tunderstandhim，Louis，heislikeawoman；hehassentimentandfeelings，andwhenweallturnonhimhewillactlikeamadman。Keeptheboyoutofhissight，Itellyou。It’stheonlythinghecaresforintheworld。Hehasbeenabetterfathertohimthanyoueverhavebeen。\"
\"Thatwasquitenatural；thatwasbecauseitwashisduty，\"
saidtheKing，calmly。\"AKalonayhasalwaysbeentheprotectorandtutoroftheheir—apparent。Ifthisonechoosestogivehisheartwithhisservice，thatisnotmyconcern。
Why，confoundthem，theyallthinkmoreofthechildthantheydoofme。ThatiswhyIneedhimbymenow。\"
Barratshookhishead。\"Itellyouitwillmaketrouble，hepersisted。\"Kalonaywillnotstandit。Heandthechildaremorelikecomradesthanatutorandhispupil。Why，KalonaywouldrathersitwiththeboyintheChamps—ElyseesandpointoutthepeopleastheygobythandriveatthesideoftheprettiestwomaninParis。Healwaystreatshimasthoughhesawtheinvisiblecrownuponhishead；hewillthrowoveranyofustostayinthenurseryandplaytinsoldierswithhim。
Andwhenhewasill——\"Barratnoddedhisheadsignificantly。
\"Youremember。\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidtheKing。\"Wehavenotimetoconsiderthefinerfeelingsofthejackal；heistobesacrificed，andthatisallthereisofit。Theprsenceofthechildmaymakehimmoreunmanageable，butitwillcertainlymakeiteasierforme。Sogo，bringtheboyhereasIbidyou。\"
Barratlefttheroomandreturnedimmediately，followedbytheCrownPrinceandhisnurse。ThePrincewasadark，handsomelittlefellowoffouryears。Hismotherhaddiedwhenhewasborn，andhehadneverplayedwithchildrenofhisownage，andhisfacewasabsurdlywiseandwistful；butitlightedwithasweetandgratefulsmilewhenanyoneshowedhimkindnessorsoughttoarousehisinterest。TotheCrownPrinceKalonaywasanawfulandwonderfulbeing。Hewastheonepersonwhocouldmakehimlaughoutofpurehappinessandfornoreason，asachildshouldlaugh。Andpeoplewhohadseenthemtogetheraskedwhichoftheprinceswastheolderofthetwo。Whenthechildenteredtheroom，clingingtoBarrat’sfinger，hecarriedinhisotherhandawoodenspadeandbucket，stilldampwithsand，andhewasdressedinashabbybluesailorsuitwhichlefthislittlelegsbare，andexposedthescratchesandbruisesofmanyfalls。Afewmomentslater，whentheconspiratorsenteredtheKing’ssalon，precededbyErhaupt，theyfoundtheboystandingbyhisfather’sknee。TheKinghadhishanduponthechild’shead，andhadbeeninterruptedapparentlyinadiscourseonthedignityofkingship，fortheroyalcrownofMessinahadbeenbroughtoutandstoodbesidehimonthetable，andhisotherhandrestedonitreverently。Itwasaneffectivetableau，andthevisitorsobserveditwithvaryingemotions，butwithsilence。
TheKingrose，takinghisson’shandinhis，andbowed，lookinginquiringlyfromBarrattothePrinceKalonay。
\"TowhatdoIowethepleasureofthisvisit？\"heasked。\"Wasitdiscreetofyoutocometogetherinthisway？Butyouaremostwelcome。Placechairsfortheladies，Barrat。\"
Kalonayglancedattheothers，andtheynoddedtohimasthoughtomakehimtheirspokesman。HepointedatGordonwithhiscap。
\"Wearehereontheinvitationofthisgentleman，yourMajesty，\"hesaid。\"Hetookituponhimselftosendafterthoseofuswhohadgoneintothecountry，andcameinpersonfortheotherswhoremainedintown。Hetellsushehasnewsofthegreatestimportancetocommunicate，whichhecannotdiscloseexcepttoyou，andinthepresenceofallofthosewhoaretotakepartintheexpedition。Wedecidedtoaccompanyhimhere，asheaskedus，andtoleaveittoyourMajestytosaywhetherornotyouwishedustoremain。\"
KalonaysmiledinapologyattheKing，andtheKingansweredhimwithasmile。
\"Theprocedureisperhapsunconventional，\"theKingsaid，\"butinAmericatheymovequickly。Nodoubtouryoungcompanionhasactedashethoughtwasforthebest。Ifhehastakenaliberty，thenatureofhisnewswillprobablyexcusehim。
Perhaps，Mr。Gordon，\"headded，turningtotheAmerican，\"youhadbetterfirsttellmewhatthisdiscoveryis，andIwilldecidewhetheritisbesttodiscussitinopencouncil。\"
GordondidnotappeartobetheleastdisturbedbythecriticismKalonayandtheKinghadpasseduponhisconduct。
HeonlysmiledpleasantlywhentheKinghadfinishedspeaking，andshowednoinclinationtoacceptaprivateaudience。
\"WhatIhavetosay，yourMajesty，\"hebegan，\"isthis。I
havelearnedthatallthesecretsofyourexpeditionhavebeensoldtotheRepublicofMessina。Oneofthosenowpresentinthisroomischargedwithhavingsoldthem。ShallIgoon，\"
heasked，\"ordoyoustillthinkitadvisableforanyonetoleavetheroom。
HepausedandglancedfromtheKingtothedoublerowofconspirators，whowerestandingtogetherinaclosesemicirclefacingtheKingandhimself。Theinstantheceasedspeakingthererosefromtheirranksanoutburstofconsternation，ofanger，andofindignantdenial。TheKing’sspiritsrosewithinhimatthesound，althoughhefrownedandmadeagestureasthoughtocommandsilence。
\"Mr。Gordon，thisisaseriouschargeyoumake，\"hesaid，smilinggrimly。\"Onethatmaycostyouagreatdeal——itmightcostyouyourlifeperhaps。\"Hepausedsignificantly，andtherewasasecondoutburst，thistimefromtheyoungermen，whichcamesosuddenlythatitwasasthoughLouishadplayeduponcertainchordsonakeyboard，andthesoundshewantedhadansweredtohistouch。
\"Pardonme，thatisnotthequestion，\"saidGordon。\"ThatI
makechargesorrunrisksinmakingchargesisnotimportant。
Thatyourexpeditionhasfailedbeforeithasevenstartedis，however，ofgreatimportance，atleastsoitseestome。\"
Therewasamovementinthecircle，andFatherPaulpushedhiswayforwardfromhisplacebesideMissCarson’schair。Hewassogreatlymovedthatwhenhespokehisvoicewasharshandbroken。\"Whatisyourauthorityforsayingwehavefailed？\"
hedemanded。
GordonbowedgravelyandturnedandpointedtotheFrenchman。
\"Thisgentleman，\"hesaid，\"isGeneralRenauld，Commander—in—ChiefofthearmyofMessina。Heismyauthority。Heknowsallthatyoumeantodo。Ifheknowsit，itislikely，isitnot，thathisarmyandthePresidentoftheRepublicknowitalso，andthatwhenweattempttolandtheywillbewaitingforus。\"
TheKingsilencedthesecondoutburstthatfollowedthisbyrisingandholdinguphishand。
\"Silence!IbelieveIcanexplain，\"hesaid。Hewassmiling，andhisbearingwaseasyandsofullofassurancethattheexclamationsandwhispersdiedawayontheinstant。\"IamafraidIseewhathashappened，\"theKingsaid。\"Butthereneedbenocauseforalarm。Thisgentlemanis，asMr。Gordonsays，theCommander—in—ChiefoftheMessinianarmy，anditistruehesuspectedthatanarmedforcewouldinvadetheisland。
Itisnotstrangethatheshouldhavesuspectedit，anditneedednotraitortoenlightenhim。ThevisitofFatherPaulandthePrinceKalonayintheyacht，andtheirspeechesincitingthepeopletorebellion，wouldhavewarnedthegovernmentthatanexpeditionmightsoonfollow。ThereturnofouryachttothisplacehasnodoubtbeenmadeknowninMessinathroughthepublicpress，andGeneralRenauldfollowedtheyachtheretolearnwhathecouldofourplans——ofourintendedmovements。Hecameheretospyonus，andasaspyI
orderedMr。Gordontoarresthimthismorningonanychargehepleased，andtoplacehimoutofourwayuntilafterto—night，whenweshouldhavesailed。IchoseMr。Gordontoundertakethisservicebecausehehappenedtospeakthelanguageofthecountry，anditwasnecessarytodealdirectlywiththelocalauthoritieswithouttheinterventionofanoutsider。Whathashappenedisonlytooevident。Thespy，whowhenhecamehereonlysuspected，now，asMr。Gordonsays，knowsthetruth，andhecouldhavelearneditonlyfromoneperson，towhomhehasnodoubtpaidaprettypricefortheinformation。\"TheKingtookastepforwardandpointedwithhishandattheAmerican。
\"Igavethatmanintoyourkeeping，sir，\"hecried，\"butIhadyouwatched。Insteadofplacinghiminjailyoutookhimtoacafeandremainedtherewithhimforthreehours，andfromthatcafeyoucamedirectlyheretothisroom。Ifheknowsthetruth，helearneditinthatcafe，andhelearneditfromyou!\"TherewasaringofsuchearnestnessandsincerityintheKing’sspeech，andhedelivereditwithsuchindignationandbittercontemptthatashoutofrelief，ofapprobationandconviction，wentupfromhishearers，andfellasquicklyonthewordsastheapplauseofanaudiencedrownsoutthelastnoteofagreatburstofsong。Barrat，intheexcessofhisrelief，turnedhisbacksharplyontheKing，glancingsidewaysatErhauptandshakinghisheadinspeechlessadmiration。
\"Heiswonderful，simplywonderful，\"Erhauptmuttered；\"hewouldhavemadeagreatactororagreatdiplomat。\"
\"HeiswastedasaKing，\"whisperedBarrat。
TherewasamenacingmovementonthepartoftheyoungermentowardGordonandGeneralRenauld，whichtheKingnoted，butwhichhemadenoefforttocheck。NeitherGordonnorGeneralRenauldgaveanysignthattheyobservedit。TheAmericanwasbusilyengagedinsearchinghispockets，andfromoneoftheseheproducedtwopiecesofpaper，whichheheldupabovehishead，sothatthoseintheroommightseethem。
\"Onemoment，please，\"hebegan，andthenwaiteduntilthetumultintheroomhadceased。\"Again，Imustpointouttoyou，\"hesaid，inbrisk，business—liketones，\"thatwearedigressing。Theimportantthingisnotwhodid，ordidnot，sellouttheexpedition，butthatitisindangeroffailingaltogether。WhathisMajestysaysisinpartcorrect。Ididnottakethisgentlemantojail；Ididtakehimtoacafe，andtherehetoldmemuchmoreconcerningtheexpeditionthanI
hadlearnedfromthosedirectlyinterested。Hisinformation，hetoldme，hadbeensoldtotheRepublicbyonewhovisitedtheislandandwhoclaimedtoactforoneother。I
appreciatedtheimportanceofwhathesaid，andIalsoguessedthatmywordandhisunsupportedmightbedoubted，asyouhavejustdoubtedit。SoItookthelibertyofverifyingwhatGeneralRenauldtoldmebycablingtothePresidentofMessina。\"
Therewasashoutofconsternationatthesewords，butGordon’smannerwassoconfidentandtheaudacityofhisadmissionsosurprisedhishearersthattheyweresilentagainimmediately，andwaited，withbreathlessinterest，whileGordonunfoldedoneofthepiecesofpaper。
\"ThisisacopyofthecablegramIsentthePresident，\"hesaid，\"andtowhich，withhispermission，IsignedGeneralRenauld’sname。Itisasfollows：——
ThePresident。ThePalace，Messina。——Theywillnotbelieveyouarefullyinformed。CableatoncetheexacthourwhentheywillleaveTangier，atwhathourtheyexpecttoland，atwhatplacetheyexpecttoland，whatsumyouhavepromisedtopayforthisinformation，andthenamesofthosetowhomitistobepaid。
RENAULD。
Gordonloweredthepaper。\"Isthatquiteclear？\"heasked。
\"Doyoufollowme？Ihaveinvitedtheenemyhimselftoinformyouofyourplans，andtotellyouwhohasbetrayedthem。Hisanswer，whichwasreceivedahalfhourago，removesallsuspicionfromanysavethosehenames。GeneralRenauldandmyselfceasetobeoftheleastconsequenceinthematter；weareonlymessengers。ItisthePresidentofMessinawhowillspeaktoyounow。IfyoustilldoubtthatthesecretofyourexpeditionisknowntothePresidentyouwillhavetodoubthim。\"
TheKingsprangquicklytohisfeetandstruckthearmofhischairsharplywithhisopenhand。
\"Ishallnotpermitthatmessagetoberead，\"hesaid。\"Ifwehaveatraitorhere，heisatraitoragainstme。AndIshalldealwithhimasIseefit，inprivate。\"
Therewasamurmurofdisappointmentandofdisapprovaleven，andtheKingagainstruckthearmofhischairforsilence。
Kalonayadvancedtowardhim，shakinghisheadandholdingouthishandsinprotest。
\"YourMajesty，Ibeseechyou，\"hebegan。\"Thisconcernsusall，\"hecried。\"Itistooevidentthatwehavebeenbetrayed；butitisnotfairtoanyofusthatweshouldalllieundersuspicion，aswemustunlessitistoldwhohasbeenguiltyofthisinfamy。IbegyourMajestytoreconsider。
Thereisnooneinthisroomwhoisnotinoursecret，andwhoeverhasbetrayedusmustbewithushereandnow。I，whohaveaninterestsecondonlytoyourown，askthatthatcablegramberead。\"
Therewasamurmurofapprobationfromtheconspirators，andexclamationsofapprovalandentreaty。MissCarson，inherexcitement，hadrisentoherfeetandwasstandingholdinghermother’shand。TheKingglanceduncertainlyatKalonay，andthenturnedtoBarratandErhauptasifindoubt。
Gordon’seyeswerefixedforamomentonKalonaywithastrangeandpuzzledexpression。Thenhegaveashortsighofrelief，andturningquicklysearchedthefacesofthosearoundhim。Whathesawseemedtoconfirmhiminhispurpose，forhefoldedthepaperandplaceditinhispocket。\"HisMajestyisright，\"hesaid。\"Ishallnotreadthis。\"
KalonayandFatherPaulturneduponhimangrily。\"Youhavenochoiceinthematter，sir，\"Kalonaycried。\"Ithaspassedentirelyoutofyourhands。\"
\"IbegyourMajestythatthecablegramberead，\"thepriestdemanded，inavoicethatheldlessthetoneofarequestthanofacommand。
\"Ishallnotreadit，\"persistedGordon，\"becausethepersonchieflyconcernedisnotpresent。\"
\"Thatisallthemorereasonforreadingit，\"saidKalonay。
\"YourMajestymustreconsider。\"
TheKingwhisperedtoBarrat，andtheotherswaitedinsilencethatexpressedtheirinterestmoreclearlythanachorusofquestionswouldhavedone。
\"Itshallbeasyouask，\"theKingsaid，atlast。\"Youmayreadthemessage，Mr。Gordon。\"
Gordonopenedthepaperandlookedatitforsomesecondsoftimewithagraveandperplexedexpression，andthen，withashortbreath，asonewhotakesaplunge，readitaloud。\"Thisisit，\"hesaid。
ToGeneralRenauld。CableOffice，Tangier。——TheyleaveTangierTuesdayatmidnight，theylandatdaybreakThursdaymorningonthesouthbeachbelowtheoldbreakwater。ThesecretoftheexpeditionwassoldusforthreehundredthousandfrancsbytheCountessZaraandthePrinceKalonay。
Gordonstuckthepaperinhispocket，and，crossingtoKalonay，heldouthishand，withasmile。\"Idon’tbelieveit，ofcourse，\"hesaid；\"butyouwouldhaveit。\"
Kalonayneithersawthegesturenorheardthewords。HewasturninginbewildermentfromtheKingtoFatherPaul，andhelaugheduncertainly。
\"Whatnonsenseisthis？\"hedemanded。\"Whosesorrytrickisthis？Thelieisnoteveningenious。\"
GeneralRenauldhadnotspokensincehehadenteredtheroom，butnowheadvancedinfrontofKalonayandfacedhimwithathreateninggesture。
\"ThePresidentofMessinadoesnotlie，sir，\"hesaid，sternly。\"ImyselfsawtheCountessZarawriteoutthatpaper，whichIandotherssigned，andinwhichweagreedtopaytoherandtoyouthemoneyyouaskedforbetrayingyourKing。\"
FatherPaulpressedhishandheavilyonKalonay’sshoulder。
\"Donotanswerhim，\"hecommanded。GordonhadmovedtoKalonay’sotherside，andthethreemenhadunconsciouslyassumedanattitudeofdefence，andstoodbacktobackinalittlegroupfacingtheangrycirclethatencompassedthem。
Thepriestraisedhisarmtocommandahearing。
\"WhereisMadameZara？\"hecried。
\"Ah，whereindeed？\"echoedtheKing，sinkingbackintohischair。\"Shehasfled。Itisalltooevidentnow；shehasbetrayedusandshehasfled。\"
Butonhiswords，asifinanswertothepriest’ssummons，thecurtainsthathidthedoorintotheKing’sprivateroomwerepulledtooneside，andMadameZaraappearedbetweenthem，glancingfearfullyattheexcitedcrowdbeforeher。Asshestoodhesitatingonthethreshold，sheswayedslightlyandclutchedthecurtainsforamomentasthoughforsupport。Thepriestadvanced，andledhertothecentreoftheroom。Sheheldafoldedpaperinherhand，whichshegavetohiminsilence。
\"Youhaveheardwhathaspassed？\"heasked，withatossofhisheadtowardtheheavycurtains。Thewomanraisedherheadandbowed。Thepriestunfoldedthepaper。
\"AmItoreadthis？\"heasked。Thewomanbowedagain。
Therewassilenceintheroomwhilethepriest’seyesranquicklyoverthepaper。Hecrusheditinhishand。
\"ItisasGeneralRenauldsays，\"heexclaimed。\"InthistheRepublicofMessinaagreestopaytheCountessZaraandthePrinceKalonaythreehundredthousandfrancs，iftheexpeditioniswithdrawnafterithasmadeapretenceoflandingontheshoresofMessina。\"
Hetookastepforward。\"MadameZara，\"hecried，inatoneofwarning，\"doyoupretendthatthePrinceKalonaywasyouraccompliceinthis；thatheknewwhatyoumeanttodo？\"
MadameZaraoncemorebowedherhead。
\"No!Youmustspeak，\"commandedthepriest。\"Answerme!\"
Zarahesitated，inevidentdistress，andglancedappealinglyattheKing；buttheexpressiononhisfacewasoneofgriefandofunrelentingvirtue。\"Ido，\"shesaid，atlast，inalowvoice。\"Kalonaydidknow。Hethoughttherevolutionwouldnotsucceed；hethoughtitwouldfail，andso——andso——andweneededmoney。Theymademe——I，OmyGod，I
cannot——Icannot!\"shecried，suddenly，sinkingonherkneesandhidingherfacewithherhands。
Kalonaysteppedtowardherandliftedhergentlytoherfeet；
butwhenshelookedandsawwhoitwasthatheldher，shegaveacryandpulledherselffree。Shestaggeredandwouldhavefallen，hadnotGordoncaughtandheldherbythearm。TheKingrosefromhischairandpointedattheshrinkingfigureofthewoman。
\"Standasidefromher，\"hesaid，sternly。\"Whyshouldwepityher，whatpityhassheshownforus——forme？Shehasrobbedmeofmyinheritance。Butlethergo，sheisawoman；wecannotpunishher。Hersinsrestonherownhead。Butyou——you，\"hecried，turningfiercelyonKalonay，hisvoicerisingtoahighandmelancholykey，\"youwhomIhaveheapedwithhonors，whomIhaveleaneduponasonthearmofabrother，thatyoushouldhavesoldmeforsilver，thatyoushouldhaveturnedJudas!\"
Thecrowdofvolunteers，bewilderedbytherapidsuccessionofevents，andconfusedandrendereddesperatebythefailureoftheirexpedition，caughtuptheword，andpressingforwardwitharush，surroundedKalonayinanangrycircle，crying\"Judas!\"\"Traitor!\"and\"Coward!\"
Kalonayturnedfromsidetoside。Onsomehesmiledbitterlyinsilence，andatothershebrokeoutintoswiftandfiercedenunciations；butthemenaroundhimcrowdedcloserandwouldnotpermithimtobeheard。Hehadturneduponthem，againchallengingthemtolisten，whentherewasanopeninginthecircleandthemensteppedback，andMissCarsonpushedherwayamongthemandhaltedatKalonay’sside。Shedidnotlookathim，butatthemenabouthim。Shewastheonlycalmfigureinthegroup，andhercalmnessatsuchacrisis，andheryouth，andthefinenessandfearlessnessofherbeauty，surprisedthemintoasuddenquiet。Therewasinstantlyacryfororder，andthemenstoodcuriousandpuzzled，watchingtoseewhatshewoulddo。
\"Gentlemen，\"shesaid，inaclear，gravevoice。\"Gentlemen，\"
sherepeated，sharply，asafewmurmursstillgreetedher，\"ifyouaregentlemen，letthisladyspeak。Shehasnotfinished。\"ShecrossedquicklyandtooktheCountessZarabythehand。\"Goon，madame，sheurged，gently。\"Donotbeafraid。Yousaytheymadeyoudoit。Whomadeyoudoit？
Youhavetoldusapartofthetruth。Nowtellusthewholetruth。\"Foramomentthegirlseemedmuchtheolderofthetwo，andasZaraglancedupatherfearfully，shesmiledtoreassureher，andstrokedthewoman’shandwithherown。\"Whomadeyoudoit？\"sherepeated。\"NotthePrinceKalonay，surely。Youcannothopetomakeusbelievethat。Wetrusthimabsolutely。Whowasit，then？\"
TheKingsprangforwardwithanoath；hisapathyandmockdignityhadfallenfromhimlikeamask。Hisfacewasmottled，andhisviciouslittleeyesflashedwithfearandanger。Erhauptcrowdedclosebehindhim，crouchinglikeadogathisheels。
\"Shehasliedenoughalready，\"theKingcried。\"Wewillnotlistentoher。Takeheraway。\"
\"Yes，lethergo，\"shoutedErhaupt，withalaugh。\"Ifshehadbeenadecentwoman————\"
TherewasaquickpartinginthegroupandthesoundofaheavyblowasKalonayflunghimselfuponErhauptandstruckhimintheface，sothathestaggeredandfellatlengthuponthefloor。Gordonstoodoverhim，hisfingerstwitchingathisside。
\"Standup，youbully，\"hesaid，\"andgetoutofthis，beforewethrowyouout。\"
Zara’sfacehadturnedapitifulcrimson，buthereyesflashedandburnedwithresolveandindignation。Shestooderectandmenacing，likeanangrygoddess，andmorebeautifulinherindignationthantheyhadeverseenher。
\"Now，Ishalltellthemthetruth，\"shesaid，sternly。\"Thatman，\"shecried，pointingherfingerattheKing，\"thatmanwhomtheycallaKing——thatmanwhowouldhavesacrificedtheonlyfriendwhoserveshimunselfishly——isthemanwhosoldyoursecrettotheenemy。Itwashewhomademedoit。HesentmetoMessina，andwhilethepriestandthePrinceKalonaywereworkinginthesouth，Isoldthemtothegovernmentatthecapital。Barratknewit，Erhauptknewit，theKinghimselfplannedit——togetmoney。Hehasrobbedallofhisownpeople；hehadmeanttorobthisyounggirl；andheissomeanandpitifulacreaturethattosavehimselfhenowtriestohidebehindtheskirtsofawoman，andtosacrificeher，——thewomanwhohasgivenhersoultohim。Andforthis——myGod!\"shecried，hervoicerisinginanaccentofagonyandbittercontempt——\"forthis!\"
TherewasagrimandmomentoussilenceintheroomwhileZaraturned，andwithoutwaitingtolearnwhateffectherwordsmighthave，madeherwayswiftlythroughthecrowdandpassedonoutoftheroomandontotheterracebeyond。
TheKingcrouchedbackinhischairlikeacommoncriminalinthedock，glancingfearfullyfromunderhisloweredeyebrowsatthefacesabouthim，andonnonedidheseetheleastquestionofdoubtbutthatZarahadatlastspokenthetruth。
\"Shelies，\"theKingmuttered，asthoughansweringtheirunspokenthoughts，\"thewomanlies。\"
Therewasnomovementfromthemenabouthim。Shameforhim，andgriefandbitterdisappointmentforthemselves，showedonthefaceofeach。Fromoutsideasea—breezecaughtupthesandofthebeachanddroveitwhisperingagainstthehighwindows，andthebeatofthewavesupontheshoresfilledoutandmarkedthesilenceoftheroom。
ThePrinceKalonaysteppedfromthecircleandstoodforamomentbeforetheKing，regardinghimwithanexpressionofgriefandbitterirony。TheKing’seyesroseinsolently，andfaltered，andsank。
\"Formanyyears，yourMajesty，\"thePrincesaid，butsosolemnlythatitwasasthoughhewereajudgeuponthebench，orapriestspeakingacrossanopengrave，\"thePrincesofmyhousehaveservedtheKingsofyours。IntimesofwartheyfoughtfortheKinginbattle，theybeggaredthemselvesforhimintimesofpeace；ourwomensoldtheirjewelsfortheKing，ourmengavehimtheirlives，andinallofthesecenturiesthestoryoftheirloyalty，oftheirdevotion，hashadbutonesequel，andhasmetwithbutonereward，——ingratitudeandselfishnessandtreachery。YouknowhowIhaveservedyou，Louis。YouknowthatIgaveupmyfortuneandmyhometogointoexilewithyou，andIdidthatgladly。ButIdidmorethanthat。Ididmorethananykingoranymanhastherighttoexpectofanyotherman。Iservedyouridlepurposessowellthatyou，yourself，calledmeyourjackal，theonlytitleyourMajestyhaseverbestowedthatwasdeserved。ThereisnolowthingnornobasethingthatIhavenotdoneforyou。Toserveyourpleasures，togainyoumoney，IhavesunkensolowthatalltheroyalbloodinEuropecouldnotmakemeclean。ButthereisalimittowhatamanmaydoforhisKing，andtotheloyaltyaKingmayhavetherighttodemand。Andto—dayandhere，withme，thestoryofourdevotiontoyourHouseends，andyougoyourwayandIgomine，andthelastofmyracebreakshisswordandthrowsitatyourfeet，andisdonewithyouandyoursforever。\"
Eventhoseintheroomwhoheldnosympathyintheirheartsforthesentimentthathadinspiredtheyoungman，feltthatatthatmomentandintheirhearinghehadrenouncedwhatwastohimhisreligionandhisfaith，andonthefacesofallwastheexpressionofadeeppityandconcern。Theirownadventure，inthelightofhisgriefandbitternessofspirit，seemedselfishandlittle，andtheystoodmotionless，inanawedandsorrowfulsilence。
Thetensestrainofthemomentwasbrokensuddenlybytheadventonthesceneofanactorwhohad，intherushofevents，beenneglectedandforgotten。ThelittleCrownPrincehadstoodclingingtohisnurse’sskirts，anuncomprehendingspectatorofwhatwasgoingforward。Buthenowadvancedslowly，feelingthatthesilenceinvitedhimtoclaimhisfather’snotice。HehaltedbesidethechairinwhichLouissat，hisheadbentonhishands，andmadeanefforttodrawhimselfuptohisfather’sknee。
ButtheKingpushedhimdown，andhidhisfacefromhim。Thechildturnedirresolutely，withatroubledcountenance，and，lookingup，sawthattheattentionofallwasfixeduponhim。
Atthisdiscoveryasuddenfloodofshynessovertookhim，andheretreatedhastilyuntilhiseyesfellonthePrinceKalonay，standingalone，withhisowneyesturnedresolutelyaway。Therewasabreathlesshushintheroomasthechild，withahappysigh，rantohisformerfriendandcomrade，andreachedupbothhisarms。Thetableauwasafamiliaronetothosewhoknewthem，andmeantonlythatthechildaskedtobeliftedupandswungtotheman’sshoulder；butfollowingasitdidonwhathadjustpassed，thegestureandtheattitudecarriedwiththemthesignificanceofanappeal。Kalonay，asthoughwithagreateffort，loweredhiseyestotheupturnedfaceofthechildbelowhim，butheldhimselfbackandstoodstifflyerect。Asharpshakeofthehead，asthoughhearguedwithhimself，wastheonlysignhegaveofthestrugglethatwasgoingonwithinhim。
Atthissecondrepulse，thechild’sarmsdroppedtohisside，hislipsquivered，andhestood，alonelylittlefigure，glancingupatthecircleofmenabouthim，andstrugglingtopressbackthetearsthatcamecreepingtohiseyes。
Kalonayregardedhimsteadfastlyforabriefmoment，asthoughhesawhimasastranger，searchinghisfacewitheyesaspitifulasthechild’sown；andthen，withasudden，sharpcry，thePrincedroppedonhiskneeandcaughtthechildtowardhim，crushinghimagainsthisheart，andburyinghisfaceonhisshoulder。Therewasashoutofexultationfromthenobles，andanutteredprayerfromthepriest，andinamomenttheyoungmenhadcrowdedinaroundthem，strugglingtobethefirsttokissthechild’shands，andtoaskpardonofthemanwhoheldhiminhisarms。
\"Gentlemen，\"Kalonaycried，hisvoicelaughingthroughhistears，\"weshallstillsailfortheislandofMessina。Theyshallnotsayofusthatwevisitedthesinsofthefatheronachild。Iwasweak，myfriends，andIwascredulous。I
thoughtIcouldbreakthetraditionofcenturies。Butourinstinctsarestrongerthanourpride，andtheHouseIhavealwaysservedIshallservetothelast。\"HeswungtheCrownPrincehighuponhisshoulder，andheldhisotherarmabovehishead。\"Youwillhelpmeplacethischilduponhisthrone，\"hecommanded，andtheroomrangwithcheers。\"Youwillappealtohispeople，\"hecried。\"Doyounotthinktheywillrisetothisstandard—bearer，willtheynotrallytohiscall？ForheisatruePrince，mycomrades，whocomestothemwithnostainofwrongortreachery，withoutataint，asuntarnishedasthewhitesnowthatliessummerandwinterinthehollowofourhills，`andachildshallleadus，andachildshallsetthemfree。’Totheyacht!\"heshouted。\"Wewillsailatonce，andwhiletheywaitforustobebetrayedintotheirhandsatthenorth，weshallbelandinginthesouth，andthousandswillbehurryingtoourstandard。\"
Hislastwordswerelostinatumultofcheersandcries，andtheyoungmenpouredoutupontheterrace，runningtowardtheshore，andfillingthesoftnight—airwithshoutsof\"LonglivethePrinceRegent!\"\"LongliveourKing!\"
AstheroomgrewemptyKalonaycrosseditswiftlyandadvancingtoMissCarsontookherhand。Hisfacewasradiantwithtriumphandcontent。Heregardedhersteadilyforamoment，asthoughhecouldnotfindwordstotellhisfeelings。
\"Youhadfaithinme，\"hesaid，atlast。\"CanIevermakeyouunderstandhowmuchthatmeanstome？Whenallhadturnedagainstmeyoutrustedme，youhadfaithinme，intheKing’sjackal。\"
\"Silence；youmustneversaythatagain，\"thegirlcommanded，gently。\"Youhaveshownittobethelieitalwayswas。WeshallcallyoutheDefenderoftheFaithnow；youaretheguardianofaKing。\"Shesmiledatthelittleboyinhisarms，andmadeaslightcourtesytothemboth。\"Youhaveoutgrownyouroldtitle，\"shesaid；\"youhaveaproudonenow，youwillbethePrinceRegent。\"
Kalonay，withthechildinhisarms，andMissCarsonwerestandingquitealone。GeneralRenauldhadbeenledaway，guardedbyamerrybandofyoungsters；theKingstillcrouchedinhischair，withBarratbowedbehindhim，butpulling，withphilosophiccalm，onacigarette，andFatherPaulandGordonwereincloseconversationwithMrs。Carsonatthefartherendoftheroom。Thesunhadset，andtheapartmentwasinsemi—darkness。KalonaymovedclosertoMissCarsonandlookedboldlyintohereyes，\"ThereisaproudertitlethanthatoftheRegent，\"hewhispered；\"willyouevergiveitme？\"
Thegirlstarted，breathingquickly，andturnedherheadaside，makinganefforttofreeherhand，butKalonayhelditcloserinhisown。\"Willyougiveitme？\"hebegged。
Thenthegirllookedupathimsmiling，butwithsuchconfidenceandloveinhereyesthathereadhisanswer，thoughsheshookherhead，asthoughtobeliethetruthhereyeshadtoldhim。
\"Whenyouhavedoneyourwork，\"shesaid，\"cometomeorsendforme，andIshallcomeandgiveyoumyanswer；andwhetheryoufailorsucceedtheanswerwillbethesame。\"
Kalonaystoopedquicklyandkissedherhand，andwhenheraisedhisfacehiseyesweresmilingwithsuchhappinessthatthelittlechildinhisarmsreaditthere，andsmiledtooinsympathy，andpressedhisfacecloseragainsthiscomrade’sshoulder。
Gordonatthismomentmovedacrosstheroomandbowed，makingadeepobeisancetothechild。
\"MightIbepermitted，\"heasked，\"tokisshisRoyalHighness？
Ishouldliketoboastofthefact，later，\"heexplained。
TheCrownPrinceturnedhissad，wiseeyesonhiminsilence，andgravelyextendedalittlehand。
\"YoumaykisshisHighness’shand，\"saidKalonay，smiling。
Gordonlaughedandpressedthefingersinhisown。
\"Whenyoutalklikethat，Kalonay，\"hesaid，\"youmakemefeellikeAliceinthecourt—roomwiththeKingsandQueensaroundher。AdozentimesthisafternoonI’vefeltlikesaying，`Afterall，theyareonlyapackofcards。’\"
KalonayshookhisheadandglancedtowardMissCarsonforenlightenment。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hesaid。
\"No，youcouldn’tbeexpectedto，\"saidGordon；\"Youhavenotbeeneducateduptothat。Itisthepointofview。\"
Hestuckoutthemiddlefingerofhishand，anddroveitthreetimesdeliberatelyintothesideoftheCrownPrince。Thechildgaspedandstaredopen—mouthedatthefriendlystranger，andthencatchingthelaughinGordon’seyes，laughedwithhim。
\"Now，\"saidGordon，\"IshallsaythatIhavedugtheKingofMessinaintheribs——thatisevenbetterthanhavingkissedhim。GodblessyourRoyalHighness，\"hesaid，bowinggravely。
\"Youmayfindmedisrespectfulattimes，\"headded；\"butthen，youmustremember，Iamgoingtoriskavaluablelifeforyou。
Atleastit’sanextremelyvaluableonetome。\"
KalonaylookedatGordonforamomentwithseriousconsideration，andthenheldouthishand。\"Youalsohadfaithinme，\"hesaid。\"Ithankyou。Areyouinearnest；doyoureallywishtoserveus？\"
\"Imeantostaybyyouuntiltheboyiscrowned，\"saidtheAmerican，\"unlessweseparateonourseveralpathsofglory——wheretheywillleaddepends，Iimagine，onhowwehavelived。\"
\"Oronhowwedie，\"Kalonayadded。\"Iamgladtohearyouspeakso。Ifyouwish，IshallattachyoutothepersonoftheCrownPrince。YoushallbeonthestaffwiththerankofColonel。\"
Gordonmadealowandsweepingbow。
\"Rise，SirArchibaldGordon，\"hesaid。\"Ithankyou，\"headded。\"Weshallstrivetoplease。\"
MissCarsonshookherheadathim，andsighedinprotest。
\"Willyoualwaystakeeverythingasajoke，Archie？\"shesaid。
\"MydearPatty，\"heanswered，\"thesituationismuchtooserioustotakeinanyotherway。\"
Theymovedtothedoor，andtherethepriestandMrs。Carsonjoinedthem；butonthethresholdKalonaystoppedandlookedforthefirsttimesincehehadaddressedhimattheKing。
Heregardedhimforsomesecondssternlyinsilence，andthenpointed，withhisfreehand，atthecrownofMessina，whichstillrestedonthetableattheKing’selbow。\"ColonelGordon，\"hesaid，inatoneofassuredauthority，\"IgivethecrownofMessinaintoyourkeeping。Youwillconveyit，withallproperregardforitsdignity，safelyonboardtheyacht，andthenbringitatoncetome。\"
WhenhehadfinishedspeakingthePrinceturnedand，withoutlookingattheKing，passedonwiththeothersacrosstheterraceanddisappearedinthedirectionoftheshore，wherethelaunchlaywaiting。
Gordoncrossedtheroomandpickedupthecrownfromthetable，liftingitwithbothhands，theKingandBarratwatchinghiminsilenceashedidso。Hehesitated，andhelditforamoment，regardingitwithmuchthesameexpressionofaweandamusementthatamanshowswhenheispermittedtoholdastrangebabyinhisarms。Turning，hesawthesinistereyesoftheKingandofBarratfasteneduponhim，andhesmiledawkwardly，andinsomeembarrassmentturnedthecrownaboutinhishands，sothatthejewelsinitscirclegleameddullyinthedimlightoftheroom。Gordonraisedthecrownandbalanceditonhisfinger—tips，regardingitseverelyandshakinghishead。
\"Thereareveryfewoftheseleftintheworldnow，yourMajesty，\"hesaid，cheerfully，\"andthenumberisgettingsmallereveryyear。Wehavenoneatallinmycountry，andI
shouldthink——seeingtheyaresofew——thatthosewhohavethemwouldtakebettercareofthem，andtrytokeepthemuntarnished，andbrushedup，andclean。\"HeturnedhisheadandlookedinquiringlyattheKing，butLouismadenosignthatheheardhim。
\"Ihavenodesire，youunderstandme，\"continuedGordon，unabashed，\"totakeadvantageofamanwhenheisdown，butthetemptationtosay`Itoldyouso’seemsalmostimpossibletoresist。What？\"heasked——\"Ibegyourpardon，Ithoughtyouspoke。\"ButtheKingcontinuedscornfullysilent，andonlyacontemptuoussnortfromBarratexpressedhisfeelings。
Gordonplacedthecrowncarefullyunderhisarm，andthenremoveditquickly，withaguiltylookofdismayatitsformerowner，andletitswingfromhishand；butthisfashionofcarryingitseemedalsolackinginrespect，sohehelditupagainwithbothhandsandglancedattheKinginsomeperplexity。
\"Thereoughttobeasofa—cushiontogowiththis，orsomethingtocarryiton，\"hesaid，inagrievedtone。\"Yousee，Iamnewatthissortofthing。PerhapsyourMajestywouldkindlygivemesomeexpertinformation。Howdoyougenerallycarryit？\"
TheKing’seyessnappedopenandshutagain。
\"Onmyhead，\"hesaid，grimly。
Gordonlaughedingreatrelief。
\"Now，doyouknow，Ilikethat，\"hecried。\"Thatshowsspirit。Iamgladtoseeyoutakeitsocheerfully。Well，I
mustbegoing，sir，\"headded，nodding，andmovingtowardthedoor。\"Don’tbediscouraged。Assomeonesays，`It’salwaysmorningsomewhere，’andinmycountrythere’sjustasgoodmenoutofofficeasthereareinit。Good—night。\"
WhilethesoundofGordon’sfootstepsdiedawayacrossthemarbleterrace，theKingandBarratremainedmotionlessandsilent。Thedarknessintheroomdeepenedandthesilenceseemedtodeepenwithit；andstilltheyremainedimmovable，twoshadowyfiguresinthedesertedapartmentwherethedenunciationsofthosewhohadabandonedthemstillseemedtohangandechointhedarkness。Whatthoughtspassedthroughtheirmindsorforhowlongatimetheymightstillhavesatinbittercontemplationcanonlybeguessed，fortheyweresurprisedbythesharprattleofalock，thetwogreatdoorsoftheadjoiningroomwerethrownwideopen，andabroadandbrilliantlightfloodedtheapartment。Niccolas，theKing’smajordomo，stoodbetweenthedoors，ablacksilhouetteagainsttheglareofmanycandles。
\"HisMajestyisserved!\"hesaid。
TheKingliftedhisheadsharply，asthoughhefoundsomelurkingmockeryinthewords，orsomefreshaffront；butintheobsequiousbowofhismajordomotherewasnomockery，andthetablebeyondglistenedwithsilver，whileapungentandconvincingodorofrichfoodwaswaftedinsidiouslythroughtheopendoors。
TheKingrosewithagentlesigh，andnoddedtohiscompanion。
\"Come，Barrat，\"hesaid，takingthebaron’sarminhis。\"Therascalshaverobbedusofourthrone，but，thankGod，theyhavehadthegracetoleavememyappetite。\"