ThentheKingstiffenedhisshouldersandplacedhishandsslowlybehindhisback。"Thatsounds，mydearKalonay，"hesaid，"almostlikeathreat。"

Theyoungermanlaughedinsolently。"Imeantit，too，yourMajesty，"heanswered，bowingmockinglyandbackingaway。

AstheKing’sguestsseatedthemselvesathisbreakfast—tableLouissmileduponthemwithagraciousglanceofwelcomeandapproval。Hismannerwascharminglycondescending，andinhisappearancetherewasnothingmoreseriousthanananxietyfortheirbetterentertainmentandacertainanimalsatisfactioninthefooduponhisplate。

Inrealityhiseyesweredistributingthepeopleatthetablebeforehimintoelementsfavorableorunfavorabletohisplans，andinhismindheshuffledthemandtheirvaluesforhimoragainsthimasagamblerarrangesandrearrangesthecardsinhishand。Hesawhimselfplainlyashisownhighestcard，andBarratandErhauptaswillingbutmediocreaccomplices。InFatherPaulandKalonayherecognizedhismostpowerfulalliesormostdangerousfoes。MissCarsonmeantnothingtohimbutasourcefromwhichhecoulddrawthesinewsofwar。Whatwouldbecomeofherafterthefarcewasended，hedidnotconsider。Hewasnotcapableofcomprehendingeitherherorhermotives，andhadheconcernedhimselfaboutheratall，hewouldhaveprobablythoughtthatshewasmoreofafoolthanthesaintshepretendedtobe，andthatshehadcometotheirassistancemorebecauseshewishedtobenearaPrinceandaKingthanbecauseshecaredforthesoulsofsixtythousandpeasants。Thatshewouldsurelylosehermoney，andcouldhardlyhopetoescapefromthemwithoutlosinghergoodname，didnotconcernhim。ItwasnothisdutytolookafterthereputationofanyAmericanheiresswhothoughtshecouldaffordtobeunconventional。Shehadamothertodothatforher，andshewasprettyenough，heconcluded，toexcusemanythings，——soprettythathewonderedifhemightbravetheCountessZaraandofferMissCarsontheattentionstowhichKalonayhadmadesucharrogantobjections。

TheKingsmiledatthethought，andlethislittleeyesfallforamomentonthetallfigureofthegirlwithitscrownofheavygoldenhair，andonherclever，earnesteyes。Shewascertainlyworthwaitingfor，andinthemeanwhileshewasvirtuallyunprotectedandsurroundedbyhisownpeople。

Accordingtohistranslationofheracts，shehadalreadyofferedhimeveryencouragement，andhadplacedherselfinapositionwhichtohisunderstandingoftheworldcouldhavebutoneinterpretation。WhatKalonay’ssuddeninfatuationmightmeanhecouldnotforesee；whetheritpromisedgoodorthreatenedevil，hecouldonlyguess，buthedecidedthattheyoungman’sunwontedshowofindependenceofthemorningmustbepunished。HisclaimtoexclusiveproprietorshipintheyounggirlstrucktheKingasamusing，butimpertinent。Itwouldbeeasysailinginspiteofall，hedecided；forsomewhereupabovetheminthehotelsattheunbiddenguest，thewomanagainstwhomFatherPaulhadraisedthebanofexpulsion，butwhohad，nevertheless，trickedbothhimandthefaithfulJackal。

ThebreakfastwasdrawingtoanendandthefaithfulNiccolaswastheonlyservantremainingintheroom。Thetalkhadgrownintimateandtouchedopenlyuponthesuccessfulvisitofthetwoambassadorstotheisland，andofBarrat’smissiontoParis。OfMadameZara’svisittothenorthernhalfoftheisland，whichwassupposedtohavebeenlesssuccessful，nomentionwasmade。

Louisfeltashelistenedtothemlikeamanataplay，whoknowsthatatawordfromhimthecomplicationswouldcease，andthatwerehetoriseinthestallsandexplainthemaway，andpointouttherealheroanddenouncethevillain，thecurtainwouldhavetoringdownontheinstant。Hegavealittlepurrofsatisfaction，andagainmarshalledhischancesbeforehimandsmiledtofindthemgood。Hewasgrandlyatpeacewithhimselfandwiththeworld。Whateverhappened，hewasalreadyricherbysome300，000francs，andinaday，ifhecouldkeeptheAmericangirltoherexpeditionhadbeenplayedhewouldbefree，——freetoreturntohisclubsandtohisboulevardsandboudoirs，withmoneyenoughtosilencethemostinsolentamonghiscreditors，andwithrenewedcredit；withevenacertainglamourabouthimofonewhohaddaredtodo，eventhoughhehadfailedinthedoing，whohadshakenofftheslothfulnessofeaseandhadchosentoriskhislifeforhisthronewithasmokingrifleinhishand，untilatraitorhadturnedfortuneagainsthim。

TheKingwasamusedtofindthatthisprospectpleasedhimvastly。Hewassurprisedtodiscoverthat，carelessashethoughthimselftobetopublicopinion，hewasstillcapableofcaringforitsapprobation；butheconsoledhimselfforthisweaknessbyarguingthatitwasonlybecausetheapprobationwouldbehisbyatrickthatitpleasedhimtothinkof。Perhapssomeofhisroyalcousins，inthelightofhisboldintent，mighttakehimundertheirprotectioninsteadofneglectinghimshamefully，astheyhaddoneinthepast。

Hisarmedexpeditionmightopencertaindoorstohim；hisname——andhesmiledgrimlyasheimaginedit——wouldringthroughoutEuropeastheSoldierKing，asthemoderndiscipleofthedivinerightofkings。Hesaw，inhismind’seye，eventhepossibilityofaroyalallianceandapensionfromoneofthegreatPowers。Nomatterwherehelookedhecouldseenothingbutgaintohimself，morepowerforpleasure，morechancesofgreaterfortuneinthefuture，andwhilehislipsassentedtowhattheotherssaid，andhiseyesthankedthemforsomeexpressionofloyaltyorconfidence，hesawhimselfindreamsasbrightasanabsinthedrinker’s，backinhisbelovedParis：intheChamps—Elyseesbehindfinehorses，lollingfromasilkboxattheopera，dealingbaccaratatthejockeyClub，orplayinghosttosomebeautifulwomanofthehour，inthenewhomehewouldestablishforherinthediscreetandleafybordersoftheBois。

Hehadforgottenhisguestsandthemoment。Hehadforgottenthatthereweredifficultiesyettoovercome，andwithashort，indrawnsighofpleasure，hethrewbackhisheadandsmiledarrogantlyuponthesunnyterraceandthegreenpalmsandthebrilliantbluesea，asthoughhechallengedthewholebeautifulworldbeforehimtodoaughtbutministertohissuccessandcontributetohispleasures。

Andatonce，asthoughinanswertohischallenge，atall，slimyoungmanspranglightlyupthestepsoftheterrace，passedthebewilderedguardswithacheerynod，and，stridingbeforetheopenwindows，knockedwithhisfistupontheportalsofthedoor，assharplyandasconfidentlyasthoughtheKing’sshieldhadhungthere，andhehadstruckitwithalance。

TheKing’sdreamshatteredandfadedawayatthesound，andhemoveduneasilyinhischair。Hehadthegambler’ssuperstitiousregardfortrifles，andthisinvasionofhisprivacybyaconfidentstrangerfilledhimwithsuddendisquiet。

HesawKalonaystaringattheopenwindowswithanexpressionofastonishmentanddismay。

"Whoisit？"theKingasked，peevishly。"Whatareyoustaringat？Howdidhegetin？"

KalonayturnedonBarrat，sittingathisright。"Didyouseehim？"heasked。Barratnoddedgloomily。

"Thedevil!"exclaimedthePrince，asthoughBarrathadconfirmedhisguess。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid，noddinghisheadtowardthewomen。Hepushedbackhischairandstoodirresolutelywithhisnapkininhishand。"Tellhimwearenotin，Niccolas，"hecommanded。

"Hesawusashepassedthewindow，"theBaronobjected。

"Sayweareatbreakfastthen。Iwillseehimmyselfinamoment。WhatshallItellhim？"heasked，turningtoBarrat。

"Doyouthinkheknows？Hemustknow，theyhavetoldhiminParis。"

"Youarekeepinguswaiting，"saidtheKing。"Whatisit？

Whoisthisman？"

"AnAmericannamedGordon。Heisacorrespondent，"Kalonayanswered，withoutturninghishead。Hiseyeswerestillfixedontheterraceasthoughhehadseenaghost。

TheKingslappedhishandonthearmofthechair。"Youpromisedme，"hesaid，"thatweshouldbefreefromthatsortofthing。ThatiswhyIagreedtocomehereinsteadofgoingtoAlgiers。Goout，Barrat，andsendhimaway。"

Barratpressedhislipstogetherandshookhishead。

"Youcan’tsendhimawaylikethat，"hesaid。"Heisaveryimportantyoungman。"

"Findouthowmuchhewilltake，then，"exclaimedtheKing，angrily，"andgiveittohim。Icanbetteraffordtopayblackmailtoanyamountthanhavemyplansspoilednowbythenewspapers。Givehimwhathewants——afurcoat——theyalwayswearfurcoats——orfivethousandfrancs，orsomething——anything——butgetridofhim。"

Barratstirreduneasilyinhischairandshruggedhisshoulders。"Heisnotaboulevardjournalist，"hereplied，sulkily。

"YourMajestyisthinkingoftheHungarianJewsatVienna，"

explainedKalonay，"wholiveonchantageandtheMonteCarlopropagandafund。Thismanisnotintheirclass；heisnottobebought。IsaidhewasanAmerican。"

"AnAmerican!"exclaimedMrs。Carsonandherdaughter，exchangingrapidglances。"IsitArchieGordonyoumean？"thegirlasked。"IthoughthewasinChina。"

"Thatistheman——ArchieGordon。Hewritesbooksandexploresplaces，"Kalonayanswered。

"Iknowhim。HewroteabookontheslavetradeintheCongo，"contributedColonelErhaupt。"ImethimatZanzibar。

Whatdoeshewantwithus？"

"HewasinYokohamawhentheJapanese—Chinesewarbrokeout，"

saidKalonay，turningtotheKing，"andhecabledaLondonpaperhewouldfollowthewarforitiftheypaidhimahundredaweek。HemeantAmericandollars，buttheythoughthemeantpounds，sotheycabledbackthatthey’dpayone—halfthatsum。Heanswered，`Onehundredornothing，’andtheyfinallyassentedtothat，andhestarted；andwhenthefirstweek’sremittancearrived，andhereceivedfivehundreddollarsinsteadoftheonehundredheexpected，hesentbackthedifference。"

"Whataremarkableyoungman!"exclaimedtheKing。"Heismuchtoogoodfordailywear。Wedon’twantanyonelikethataroundhere，dowe？"

"IknowMr。Gordonverywell，"saidMissCarson。"HelivedinSanFranciscobeforehecameEast。Hewasalwaysatourhouse，andwasagreatfriendofthefamily；wasn’the，mother？Wehaven’tseenhimfortwoyearsnow，butIknowhewouldn’tspoilourplansforthesakeofhispaper，ifheknewwewereinearnest，ifheunderstoodthateverythingdependeduponitsbeingkeptasecret。"

"Wearenotcertainthatheknowsanything，"theKingurged。

"Hemaynothavecomeheretoseeus。IthinkFatherPaulshouldtalkwithhimfirst。"

"Iwasgoingtosuggest，"saidMissCarson，withsomehesitation，"thatifIspoketohimImightbeabletoputittohiminsuchawaythathewouldseehownecessaryit————"

"Oh，excellent!"exclaimedtheKing，eagerly，andrisingtohisfeet；"ifyouonlywouldbesokind，MissCarson。"

Kalonay，misunderstandingthesituationaltogether，fastenedhiseyesuponthetableanddidnotspeak。

"Hehasnotcometoseeyou，Patricia，"saidMrs。Carson，quietly。

"HedoesnotknowthatIamhere，"MissCarsonanswered；"butI’msureifhedidhewouldbeverygladtoseeusagain。Andifwedoseehimwecanmakehimpromisenottodoanythingthatmightinterferewithourplans。Won’tyouletmespeaktohim，mother？"

Mrs。Carsonturneduncertainlytothepriestfordirection，andhisglanceapparentlyreassuredher，forsherose，thoughstillwithatroubledcountenance，andthetwowomenlefttheroomtogether，themenstandingregardingeachotheranxiouslyacrossthetable。WhentheyhadgonetheKinglitacigaretteand，turninghisbackonhiscompanions，puffedatitnervouslyinsilence。Kalonaysatmoodilystudyingthepatternontheplatebeforehim，andtheotherswhisperedtogetheratthefartherendofthetable。

WhenMissCarsonandhermothersteppedoutupontheterrace，theAmericanwasstandingwithhisbacktowardthemandwasspeakingtotheguardswhosatcross—leggedatthetopofthesteps。Theyshowednosignofsurpriseatthefactofhisaddressingthemintheirowntonguefurtherthanthattheyansweredhimwithashowofrespectwhichtheyhadnotexhibitedtowardthosetheyprotected。TheAmericanturnedasheheardthefootstepsbehindhim，and，afterastartledlookofastonishment，hurriedtowardthetwowomen，exclaiming，witheveryexpressionofpleasure。

"Ihadnoideayouwerestoppinghere，"hesaid，afterthefirstgreetingswereover。"IthoughtyouweresomewhereontheContinent。IamsogladIcaughtyou。ItseemscenturiessinceIsawyoulast。You’relookingverywell，Mrs。

Carson——andasforPatty——Iamalmostafraidofher——I’vebeenhearingallsortsofthingsaboutyoulately，Patty，"hewenton，turningasmilingcountenancetowardthegirl。"Aboutyourengagementstoprincesanddukes——allsortsofdisturbingrumors。Whataterribleswellyou’vegrowntobe。Ihardlyrecognizeyouatall，Mrs。Carson。Itisn’tpossiblethisisthesameyounggirlIusedtotakebuggyridingonSundayevenings？"

"Indeed，itisnot。Iwishitwere，"saidMrs。Carson，plaintively，sinkingintoachair。"I’mgladtoseeyou’renotchanged，Archie，"sheadded，withasigh。

"Why，he’sverymuchchanged，mother，"thegirlsaid。"He’staller，and，incomparisonwithwhathewas，he’salmostwastedaway，andsosunburnedIhardlyknewhim。Exceptroundtheforehead，"sheadded，mockingly，"andIsupposethesuncouldn’tburntherebecauseofthelaurel—wreaths。Iheartheybringthemtoyoufresheverymorning。"

"They’rebetterthancoronets，atanyrate，"Gordonanswered，withanod。"They’renotsocommon。AndifI’mwastedaway，canyouwonder？HowlonghasitbeensinceIsawyou，Patty？"

"No，I’mwrong，he’snotchanged，"MissCarsonsaiddryly，assheseatedherselfbesidehermother。

"Howdoyoutwocometobestoppinghere？"theyoungmanasked。"IthoughtthishotelhadbeenturnedovertoKingLouis？"

"Ithas，"Mrs。Carsonanswered。"WearestayingattheContinental，onthehillthere。Weareonlyhereforbreakfast。Heaskedustobreakfast。"

"He？"repeatedGordon，withanincreduloussmile。"Who？NottheKing——notthatblackguard？"

MissCarsonraisedherhead，andstaredathiminsilence，andhermothergavealittlegasp，apparentlyofreliefandsatisfaction。

"Yes，"MissCarsonansweredatlast，coldly。"Wearebreakfastingwithhim。Whatdoyouknowagainsthim？"

Gordonstaredatherwithsuchgenuineastonishmentthatthegirlloweredhereyes，and，bendingforwardinherchair，twirledherparasolnervouslybetweenherfingers。

"WhatdoIknowagainsthim？Why，Patty!"heexclaimed。"Howdidyoumeethim，inHeaven’sname？"heasked，roughly。"Haveyoubeenseenwithhim？Haveyouknownhimlong？Whohadtheimpudencetopresenthim？"

Mrs。Carsonlookedup，nowthoroughlyalarmed。Herlowerlipwastrembling，andshetwistedherglovedhandstogetherinherlap。

"Whatdoyouknowagainsthim？"MissCarsonrepeated，meetingGordon’slookwithoneasfullofsurpriseashisown。

Theyoungmanregardedhersteadilyforafewmoments，andthen，withachangeofmanner，asthoughhenowsawthesituationwasmuchmoreseriousthanhehadatfirstsupposed，drewupachairinfrontofthetwowomenandseatedhimselfdeliberately。

"Hasheborrowedanymoneyfromyouyet？"heasked。MissCarson’sfaceflushedcrimsonandshestraightenedhershouldersandturnedhereyesawayfromGordonwitheverysignofindignationanddisapproval。Theyoungmangaveanexclamationofrelief。

"No？That’sgood。Youcannothaveknownhimsoverylong。I

amgreatlyrelieved。"

"LouisofMessina，"hebeganmoregently，"isthemostunscrupulousrascalinEurope。Sincetheyturnedhimoutofhiskingdomhehaslivedbysellinghistitletomenwhoarepromotingnewbrandsofchampagneorfloatingqueerminingshares。ThegreaterpartofhisincomeisdependentonthegenerosityoftheoldnobilityofMessina，andwhentheydon’tpayhimreadilyenough，heleviesblackmailonthem。Heowesmoneytoeverytailorandhorse—dealerandhotel—keeperinEurope，andnoonewhocantellonecardfromanotherwillplaywithhim。Thatishisreputation。Andtohelphimliveuptoithehassurroundedhimselfwithaparcelofadventurersasrascallyashimself：aColonelErhauptwhowasdroppedfromaGermanregiment，andwhoisaColonelonlybythefavoroftheQueenofMadagascar；aretiredcroupiernamedBarrat；andafallenangelcalledKalonay，afellowoftheverybestbloodinEuropeandwiththeveryworstmorals。

TheycallhimtheKing’sjackal，andheisoneofthemostdelightfulblackguardsIevermet。SoistheKingforthatmatter，amostentertainingindividualifyoukeephiminhisplace，butamannowomancanknow。Infact，Mrs。Carson，"

Gordonwenton，addressinghimselftothemother，"whenyouhavetosaythatawomanhasabsolutelynoreputationwhateveryoucanbestexpressitbyexplainingthatshehasatitlefromLouisofMessina。ThatishisMajesty’swayoftreatinghisfemininefriendswhentheyborehimandhewantstogetridofthem。Hegivesthematitle。

"Theonlythingthemaneverdidthatwastohiscreditandthatcouldbediscussedinpolitesocietyiswhatheisdoingnowatthisplace，atthismoment。Foritseems，"Gordonwhispered，drawinghischaircloser，"thatheisabouttoshowhimselfsomethingofamanafterall，andthatheisengagedinfittingoutanarmedexpeditionwithwhichhehopestorecoverhiskingdom。That’swhatbroughtmehere，andImustsayIratheradmirehimforattemptingsuchathing。Ofcourse，itwasKalonaywhoputhimuptoit；hewouldneverhavestirredfromtheboulevardsifthatyoungmanhadnotmadehim。Butheishere，nevertheless，waitingforafavorableopportunitytosail，andhehastenthousandriflesandthreeMaximgunslyinginhisyachtoutthereintheharbor。That’showIcametolearnaboutit。IwasgettinganestimateonanoutfitIwasthinkingoftakingintoYucatanfrommyoldgunsmithintheRueScribe，andhedroppedahintthathehadshippedtenthousandriflestoTangier，toColonelErhaupt。IhavemetErhauptinZanzibar，andknewhewastheKing’sright—handman，soIputtwoandtwotogetheranddecidedIwouldfollowthemup，and————"

"Yes，andnow，"interruptedMissCarson，sharply——"andnowthatyouhavefollowedthemup，whatdoyoumeantodo？"

Gordonlookedhissurpriseatherearnestness，butansweredthathedidnotknowwhathewoulddo；hethoughthewouldeitheraskthemtogivehimacommissionintheirexpedition，andlethimhelpthemfight，andwriteanaccountoftheiradventureslater，orhewouldtelegraphthestoryatoncetohispaper。Itwaswithhim，hesaid，entirelyaquestionastowhichcoursewouldbeofthegreaternewsvalue。Ifhetoldwhathenowknew，hispaperwouldbethefirstofallothersto，informtheworldoftheexpeditionandtheproposedrevolution；whileifhevolunteeredfortheexpeditionandwaiteduntilithadfailedorsucceeded，hewouldbeabletotellmoreeventually，butwouldhavetoshareitwithothercorrespondents。

MissCarsonregardedhimwithanexpressioninwhichindignationandentreatywerecuriouslyblended。

"Archie，"shesaid，inalowvoice，"youdonotknowwhatyouaredoingorsaying。YouarethreateningtospoiltheonethinginmylifeonwhichIhavesetmyheart。Thereturnofthismantohisthrone，whetherheisworthyornot，meanstherestorationoftheCatholicChurchonthatisland；itmeansthereturnofthemonksandtherebuildingofthemonasteries，andthesalvationofsixtythousandsouls。Iknowallthattheymeantodo。Iamtheonewhopaidforthoseriflesthatbroughtyouhere；youhavetoldmeonlywhatIhaveknownformonths，andforwhichIhavebeenearnestlyworkingandpraying。Iamnotblindedbythesemen。Theyarenotthecreaturesyoudescribe；butnomatterwhattheymaybe，itisonlythroughthem，andthroughthemalone，thatIcandowhatIhavesetouttodo。"

Gordonsilencedherwithasweepofhishand。"Doyoumeantotellme，"hedemanded，"thatyouaremixedupinthis——withthese——thattheyhavetakenmoneyfromyou，andtoldyoutheymeanttouseittore—establishtheChurch？Mrs。Carson，"heexclaimed，bitterly，turninguponher，"whyhaveyouallowedthis——whathaveyoubeendoingwhilethiswasgoingon？DoyousupposethosescoundrelscarefortheChurch——theChurch，indeed!WaituntilIseethem——anyofthem——Erhauptbychoice，andI’llmakethemgiveupeveryfrancyou’velentthem，orI’llhorsewhipandexposethemforthegangofwelshersandthimble—riggerstheyare；oriftheyprefertheirownmethods，I’llcallthemoutinrotationandshoottheirarmsandlegsoff。"Hestoppedanddrewalongbreath，eitherofcontentthathehaddiscoveredthesituationintimetotakesomepartinit，orattheprospectofafight。

"Theideaofyoutwohelplessfemaleswanderingintothisdenofwolves!"heexclaimed，indignantly。"It’sabouttimeyouhadamantolookafteryou!Yougobacktoyourhotelnow，andletmehaveachatwithLouisofMessina。He’skeptmewaitingsometwentyminutesasitis，andthat’salittlelongerthanIcangivehim。I’mnotacreditor。"Herosefromhischair；butMissCarsonputoutherhandandmotionedhimtobeseated。

"Archie，"shesaid，"Ilikethewayyoutakethis，eventhoughyouareallwrongaboutit，becauseit’sjustlikeyoutoflyintoapassionandwanttofightsomeoneforsomebody。Ifyourconclusionswereanywherenearthetruth，youwouldbeactingverywell。Buttheyarenot。TheKingisnothandlingmymoney，northePrinceKalonay。ItisinthekeepingofFatherPaul，theFatherSuperioroftheDominicanmonks，whoistheonlyoneofthesepeopleIknoworwhoknowsme。Heisnotaswindler，too，ishe，oraretiredcroupier？Listentomenow，anddonotflyoutlikethatatme，oratmother。Itisnotherfault。LastsummermotherandIwenttoMessinaastourists，andoneday，whenpassingthroughaseaporttown，wesawacrowdofpeopleontheshore，standingorkneelingbythehundredsinagreatsemicircleclosetothewater’sedge。

Therewasapriestpreachingtothemfromanopenboat。ItwaslikeascenefromtheNewTestament，andtheman，thisFatherPaul，mademethinkofoneofthedisciples。Iaskedthemwhyhedidnotpreachontheland，andtheytoldmethatheandallofthepriestshadbeenbanishedfromtheislandsixyearsbefore，andthattheycouldonlyreturnbystealthanddarednotlandexceptbynight。Whenthepriesthadfinishedspeaking，Ihadmyselfrowedouttohisboat，andI

talkedalongtimewithhim，andhetoldmeofthisplantore—establishhimselfandhisorder。Iofferedtohelphimwithmymoney，andhepromisedmealettertoCardinalNapoli。

ItreachedmeonmyreturntoRome，andthroughtheinfluenceoftheCardinalIwasgivenanaudiencewiththePope，andI

wasencouragedtoaidFatherPaulasfarasIcould。Ihadmeanttobuildamemorialchurchforfather，buttheyurgedmetogivethemoneyinsteadtothiscause。Allmydealingsuntilto—dayhavebeenwithFatherPaulalone。IhaveseenalittleofthePrinceKalonaybecausetheyarealwaystogether；

buthehasalwaystreatedmeinawaytowhichnoonecouldtakeexception，andheiscertainlyverymuchinearnest。

WhenFatherPaulleftParismotherandIcameonhereinordertobenearhim，andthatishowyoufindmeatTangier。Andnowthatyouunderstandhowmuchthismeanstome，Iknowyouwillnotdoanythingtostandinourway。Thosemeninsideareafraidthatyoucamehereforjustthereasonthatapparentlyhasbroughtyou，andwhentheysawyoualittlewhileagothroughthewindowstheyweregreatlydisturbed。

Letmetellthemthatyoumeantovolunteerforthecampaign。

TheKingcannotrefusetheservicesofamanwhohasdonethethingsyouarealwaysdoing。AndIpromiseyouthatforarewardyoushallbetheonlyonetotellthestoryofourattempt。Ipromiseyou，"sherepeatedearnestly，"thatthedayweenterthecapital，youcancablewhateveryoupleaseandtellourstorytothewholeofEurope。"

"Thestorybehanged!"repliedGordon。"Youhavemadethisamuchmoreseriousbusinessthananewspaperstory。Youmisunderstandmeutterly，Patty。IamherenowbecauseIamnotgoingtohaveyoucompromisedandrobbed。"

Thegirlstoodupandlookeddownattheyoungmanindignantly。

"Youhavenorightwhatevertousethattonetome，"shesaid。

"Iamofageandmyownadviser。Iamactingforthegoodofagreatnumberofpeople，andaccordingtowhatmyconscienceandcommonsensetellmeisright。Ishallhateyouifyouattempttointerfere。Youcandooneoftwothings，Archie。

Igiveyouyourchoice：youcaneithergowiththemasavolunteer，andpromisetokeepoursecret；oryoucancablewhatyouknownow，whatyouknowonlybyaccident，butifyoudo，youwillloseyourbestfriend，andyouwilldefeatagoodandanobleeffort。"

Gordonleanedbackinhischair，andlookedupathersteadilyforabriefmoment，andthenrosewithasmile，andbowedtothetwowomeninsilence。Hecrossedtheterracequicklywithanamusedandpuzzledcountenance，andwalkedintothebreakfast—room，fromthewindowsofwhich，asherightlyguessed，thefiveconspiratorshadforsometimeobservedhim。

Helookedfromonetotheotherofthemenaboutthetable，untilhiseyesfinallymetthoseoftheKing。

"Ibelieve，sir，youareleadinganexpeditionagainsttheRepublicofMessina？"Gordonsaid。"Iamafraiditcan’tstartunlessyoutakemewithyou。"

III

ThepresenceinTangieroftheKingofMessinaandhissuite，andthearrivalthereoftheFrenchnoblemenwhohadvolunteeredfortheexpedition，couldnotescapetheobservationoftheresidentConsuls—Generalandoftheforeigncolony，anddinners，ridingandhuntingparties，pig—sticking，andexcursionsonhorsebackintotheoutlyingcountrywereplannedfortheirhonoranddailyentertainment。Hadtheconspiratorsheldalooffromthese，theresidentsmighthaveasked，sinceitwasnottoenjoythemselves，whatwasthepurposeoftheirstayinTangier；andso，toallaysuspicionastotheirrealobject，differentmembersoftheexpeditionhadbeenassignedfromtimetotimetorepresentthevisitorsatthesefestivities。OnthemorningfollowingthereturnoftheyachtfromMessina，aninvitationtoridetoafarmhousesomemilesoutofTangierandtobreakfasttherehadbeensenttothevisitors，andtheKinghaddirectedthePrinceKalonay，andhalfofthedelegationfromParis，toacceptitinhisname。

Theywerewellcontenttogo，androdeforthgaylyandinhighspirits，forthewordhadbeenbroughtthemearlyinthemorningthattheexpeditionwasalreadypreparedtomove，andthatsameeveningatmidnighttheyachtwouldsetsailforMessina。Theywerecarelessastowhatfortunewaitedforthemthere。Thepromiseofmuchexcitement，offightingandofdanger，ofpossiblehonorandsuccess，stirredtheheartsoftheyoungmengloriously，andastheygallopedacrosstheplains，orracedeachotherfrompointtopoint，orhaltedtojumptheirponiesacrossthemanygapingcreviceswhichthesunhadsplitinthesurfaceoftheplain，theyfilledthestill，warmairwiththeirshoutsandlaughter。Inthepartythereweremanyladies，andthegroupschangedandformedagainastheyrodeforward，spreadoutoneithersideofthecaravan—trailandcoveringtheplainlikeaskirmishlineofcavalry。ButKalonaykeptcloseatMissCarson’sstirrup，whethershewalkedherponyorsenthimflyingacrossthehard，sunbakedsoil。

"Ihopeyouwon’tdothatagain，"hesaid，earnestly，asshedrewuppanting，withhersailorhatandhairfallingtohershoulders。Theyhadbeengallopingrecklesslyovertheopencrevicesinthesoil。

"It’squitethenastiestcountryIeversaw，"hesaid。"Itlooksasthoughanearthquakehadshakenitopenandhadforgottentocloseitagain。Believeme，itismostunsafeanddangerous。Yourponymightstumble——"Hestopped，asthoughthepossibilitiesweretooseriousforwords，butthegirllaughed。

"It’snomoredangerousthanridingacrossourprairieatduskwhenyoucan’tseethebarbedwire。Youarethelastpersonintheworldtofindfaultbecauseathingisdangerous，"sheadded。

Theyhadreachedthefarm，wheretheywenttobreakfast，andtheyoungEnglishmanwhowastheirhostwasreceivinghisguestsinhisgarden，andtheservantswerepassingamongthem，carryingcooldrinksandpowderedsweetsandTurkishcoffee。Kalonaygavetheirponiestoaservantandpointedwithhiswhiptoanarborthatstoodatoneendofthegarden。

"Maywesitdownthereamomentuntiltheycallus？"hesaid。

"Ihavenewsofmuchimportance——andImaynothaveanotherchance，"hebegged，lookingatherwistfully。Thegirlstoodmotionless；hereyeswereserious，andshemeasuredthedistancedownthewalktothearborasthoughshesawitbesetwithdangersmoreactualthanprecipicesandtwistedwire。

ThePrincewatchedherasthoughhisfatewasbeingweighedinhispresence。

"Verywell，"shesaidatlast，andmovedonbeforehimdownthegarden—path。

Thearborwasopentotheairwithalow，broadroofofpalm—leavesthatoverhungitonallsidesandleftitindeepshadow。Arounditweremanystrangeplantsandflowers，somenativetoMoroccoandsometransplantedfromtheirEnglishhome。Fromwheretheysattheycouldseetheotherguestsmovinginandoutamongthegrovesoforangeandolivetreesandswayingpalms，andstanding，outlinedagainstthebluesky，uponthelow，flatroofofthefarm—house。

"Ihavedaredtoaskyoutobesogoodastogivemethismoment，"thePrincesaidhumbly，"onlybecauseIamgoingaway，anditmaybemylastchancetospeakwithyou。Youdonotmind？YoudonotthinkIpresume？"

"No，Idonotmind，"saidthegirl，smiling。"Inmycountrywedonotthinkitaterribleoffencetotalktoagirlatagarden—party。Butyousaidtherewassomethingofimportanceyouwantedtosaytome。Youmeantheexpedition？"

"Yes，"saidKalonay。"Westartthisevening。"Thegirlraisedherheadslightlyandstaredpasthimattheburningwhitewallsandtheburningblueskythatlayoutsidethecircleofshadowinwhichtheysat。

"Thisevening——"sherepeatedtoherself。

"Wereachthereintwodays，"Kalonaycontinued；"andthenwe——thenwegoon——untilweenterthecapital。"

Thegirl’sheadwasbent，andshelookedatherhandsastheylayinherlapandfrownedatthem，theyseemedsowhiteandprettyanduseless。

"Yes，yougoon，"sherepeated，"andwestayhere。Youareamanandabletogoon。Iknowwhatthatmeans。Andyoulikeit，"sheadded，withaglanceofmingledadmirationandfear。

"Youaregladtofightandtoriskdeathandtoleadmenontokillothermen。"

Kalonaydrewlinesinthesandwithhisridingwhip，anddidnotraisehishead。

"Isupposeitisbecauseyouarefightingforyourhome，"thegirlcontinued，"andtosetyourcountryfree，andthatyoucanlivewithyourownpeopleagain，andbecauseitisaholywar。Thatmustbeit。Nowthatitisreallycome，Iseeitalldifferently。IseethingsIhadnotthoughtaboutbefore。

Theyfrightenme，"shesaid。

ThePrinceraisedhisheadandfacedthegirl，claspingtheendofhiswhipnervouslyinhishand。"IfweshouldwintheislandfortheKing，"hesaid，"Ibelieveitwillmakeagreatchangeinme。Ishallbeabletogofreelythentomyhome，asyousay，tolivetherealways，togiveupthelifeI

haveledontheContinent。Ithasbeenafoolishlife——adog’slife——andIhavenoonetoblameforitbutmyself。I

madeitworsethanitneedtohavebeen。Butifwewin，I

havepromisedmyselfthatIwillnotreturntoit；andifwefallIshallnotreturntoit，forthereasonthatIshallhavebeenkilled。Ishallhavemuchpowerifwewin。WhenI

saymuchpower，ImeanmuchpowerinMessina，inthatlittlecorneroftheworld，andIwishtouseitworthilyandwell。

IamafraidIshouldnothavethoughtofit，"hewenton，naively，asthoughheweretryingtobequitefair，"hadnotFatherPaulpointedouttomewhatIshoulddo，howIcouldraisethepeopleandstoptheabuseswhichmadethemdriveusfromtheisland。Thepeoplemustbetaxedlessheavily，andthemoneymustbespentforthemandnotforus，onroadsandharborsandschools，notatthePalaceonbanquetsandfetes。

TheseareFatherPaul’sideas，notmine，——butnowImakethemmine。"Heroseandpacedthelengthofthelittlearbor，hishandsclaspedbehindhimandhiseyesbentontheground。

"Yes，thatiswhatImeantodo，"hesaid。"ThatisthewayI

meantolive。Andifwefail，Imeantobeamongthosewhoaretodieonthefortificationsofthecapital，sothatwithmetheKalonayfamilywillend，andendfightingfortheKing，asmanyofmypeoplehavedonebeforeme。Thereisnootherway。Formethereshallbenomoreidlenessnorexile。I

musteitherliveontohelpmypeople，orImustdiewiththem。"Hestoppedinhiswalkandregardedthegirlclosely。

"Youmaybethinking，itiseasyforhimtopromisethis，itiseasytospeakofwhatonewilldo。Iknowthat。IknowthatIcanpointbackatnothingIhavedonethatgivesmeanyrighttoaskyoutobelievemenow。ButIdoaskit，forifyoubelieveme——believewhatIsay——itmakesiteasierformetotellyouwhyafterthisImustliveworthily。Butyouknowwhy？Youmustknow；itisnotpossiblethatyoudonotknow。"

Hesatdownbesideheronthebench，leaningforwardandcrushinghishandstogetheronhisknee。"ItisbecauseI

loveyou。BecauseIloveyousothateverythingwhichisnotworthyishatefultome，myselfmostofall。Itistheonlythingthatcounts。IusedtothinkIknewwhatlovemeant；I

usedtothinklovewasaselfishthingthatneededloveinreturn，thatitmustbefedonlovetolive，thatitneededvowsandtenderspeechesandcaresses，oritwoulddie。I

knownowthatwhenonetrulycares，hedoesnotaskwhethertheothercaresornot。Itiswhatonegivesthatcounts，notwhatonereceives。Youhavegivenmenothing——nothing——notawordnoralook；yetsinceIhaveknownyouIhavebeenmoremadlyhappyinjustknowingthatyoulivethanIwouldhavebeenhadanyotherwomaninalltheworldthrownherselfintomyarmsandsaidshelovedmeaboveallothermen。Iamnotfittotellyouthis。Butto—nightIgototrymyself，eithernevertoseeyouagain，ortocomebackperhapsmoreworthytoloveyou。ThinkofthiswhenIamgone。Donotspeaktomenow。Imayhavemadeyouhatemeforspeakingso，orImayhavemadeyoupityme；soletmegonotknowing，justlovingyou，worshippingyou，andholdingyouapartandaboveallotherpeople。Igotofightforyou，doyouunderstand？NotforourChurch，notformypeople，butforyou，toliveordieforyou。AndIasknothingfromyoubutthatyouwillletmeloveyoualways。"

ThePrincebent，andcatchingupMissCarson’sriding—glovesthatlaybesideheronthebench，kissedthemagainandagain，andthen，risingquickly，walkedoutofthearborintothewhitesunshine，and，withoutturning，mountedhisponyandgallopedacrosstheburningdesertinthedirectionofTangier。

ArchieGordonhadnotbeeninvitedtojointheexcursionintothecountry，norwouldhehaveacceptedit，forhewishedtobebyhimselfthathemightreviewthesituationandconsiderwhatlaybeforehim。HesatwithhislonglegsdanglingoverthebroadrampartwhichoverlookstheharborofTangier。Hewaswhistlingmeditativelytohimselfandbeatinganaccompanimenttothetunewithhisheels。Atintervalsheceasedwhistlingwhileheplacedacigarbetweenhisteethandpulleduponitthoughtfully，resuminghistuneagainatthepointwhereithadbeeninterrupted。Belowhimthewavesranuplazilyonthelevelbeachandsankagain，draggingthelongsea—weedwiththem，astheysweptagainstthesharprocks，andexposedthemforaninstant，nakedandglisteninginthesun。

Oneithersideofhimthetownstretchedtomeetthelow，white，sand—hillsinacrescentoflow，whitehousespiercedbygreenminaretsandroyalpalms。Awarmsunhadsenttheworldtosleepatmid—day，andanenforcedpeacehungovertheglaringwhitetownandthesparklingbluesea。Gordonblinkedattheglare，buthiseyesshowednosignsofdrowsiness。

Theywere，onthecontrary，awaketoallthatpassedonthehighroadbehindhim，andonthesandybeachathisfeet，whileatthesametimehismindwasbusilyoccupiedinreviewingwhathadoccurredthedaybefore，andinadjustingnewconditions。Atthehotelhehadfoundthatthesituationwasbecomingtoocomplicated，andthatitwasimpossibletofeelsureofthetruthofanything，orofthesincerityofanyone。Sincetheluncheonhourthedaybeforehehadbecomeafellow—conspiratorwithmenwhowereasobjectionabletohimineverywayasheknewhewasobnoxioustothem。Buttheyhadbeenforcedtoaccepthimbecause，sotheysupposed，hehadthematthemercyofhisownpleasure。Heknewtheirsecret，andinthelegitimatepursuitofhisprofessionhecould，ifhechose，informtheislandofMessina，withtherestoftheworld，oftheirintentiontowardit，andbringtheirexpeditiontoanend，thoughhehadchosen，asarewardforhissilence，tobecomeoneofthemselves。OnlytheCountessZarahadguessedthetruth，thatitwasGordonhimselfwhowasattheirmercy，andthatsolongastheAmericangirlpersistedincastingherfortuneswiththemheroldyoungfriendwasonlytooeagertomakeanyarrangementwiththemthatwouldkeephimatherside。

Itwasaperplexingposition，andGordonturneditoverandoverinhismind。HaditnotbeenthatMissCarsonhadapartinithewouldhaveenjoyedtheadventure，asanadventure，keenly。Hehadnoobjectionstofightingonthesideofrascals，oragainstrascals。Heobjectedtothemonlyinthecalmermomentsofprivatelife；andashewasofcourseignorantthattheexpeditionwasonlyamake—believe，hefeltacertainrespectforhisfellow—conspiratorsasmenwhowerewillingtostaketheirlivesforachanceofbetterfortune。

Butthattheirbraverywasofthekindwhichwouldmakethemhesitatetorobanddeceiveahelplessgirlheverymuchdoubted；forheknewthateventhebravestofwarriorsontheirwaytobattlewillrequisitionaherdofcattleorstoptolootatemple。Thedaybefore，GordonhadwitnessedthebriefceremonywhichattendedthepresentationoftheyoungnoblemenfromPariswhohadvolunteeredfortheexpeditioninallgoodfaith，andherevieweditandanalyzeditashesatsmokingontheramparts。

Ithadbeenanimpressiveceremony，inspiteofthefactthatsofewhadtakenpartinit，buttheearnestnessofthevisitorsandtheenthusiasmofKalonayandthepriesthadmadeupforthelackofnumbers。Thescenehadappealedtohimasoneofthemostdramatichehadwitnessedinthepursuitofacallinginwhichlookingonatrealdramaswasthemostfrequentduty，andhehadenjoyedthestrangemixtureofancienttermsofaddressandtitleswiththemodernmannersofthementhemselves。IthadinterestedhimtowatchBaronBarratbringouttheancientcrownandjewelledsceptrewhichhadbeentheregaliaofalltheKingsofMessinasincetheCrusadesandspreadthemoutuponawickertea—table，fromwhichNiccolashadjustremovedsomeemptycoffee—cups，halffilledwiththeendsofcigarettes，someyellow—backednovels，andacopyoftheParisFigaro。Itwasalsointerestingtohimtonotehowthesightofthelittleheir—apparentaffectedboththepeasantsfromthemountainsandtheyoungnoblesfromtheClubRoyale。Theformerfellupontheirkneeswiththetearsrollingdownthefurrowsintheirtannedcheeks，whilethelittlewise—eyedboystoodclingingtohisnurse’sskirtswithonehandandtohisfather’sfingerwiththeother，andnoddedhisheadatthemgravelylikeatoymandarin。

ThentheKinghadaddressedtheminadignifled，earnest，andalmosteloquentspeech，andhadpromisedmuchandprophesiedthebestoffortunes，andthen，atthelast，hadturnedsuddenlytowardMissCarson，whereshestoodinthebackgroundbetweenhermotherandFatherPaul。

"EverycausehasitsJoanofArc，oritsMariaTheresa，"hecried，lookingsteadfastlyatMissCarson。"Nocausehassucceededwithoutsomegoodwomantoaidit。Tohelpus，myfriends，wehaveadaughterofthepeople，aswasJoanofArc，andaqueen，aswasMariaTheresa，forshecomesfromthatcountrywhereeverywomanisaqueeninherownright，andwheretheloveoflibertyisinherent。"TheKingtookaquickstepbackward，andtakingMissCarson’shanddrewherforwardbesidehimandplacedherfacinghisaudience，whilethegirlmadevaineffortstowithdrawherhand。"Thisisshe，"hesaidearnestly，"thetruedaughteroftheChurchwhohasmadeitpossibleforustoreturntoourownagain。ItisduetoherthattheKingofMessinashallsitoncemoreonhisthrone；itisthroughhergenerosityalonethatthechurcheswillrisefromtheirruinsandthatyouwillonceagainheartheAngelusringacrossthefieldsatsunset。Rememberher，myfriendsandcousins，prayforherasasaintuponearth，andfightgloriouslytohelphertosuccess!"

Gordonhadrestrainedhimselfwithdifficultywhilethisscenewasbeingenacted；hecouldnotbearthethoughtoftheKingtouchingthegirl’shand。Hestruggledtopreventhimselffromcryingoutatthefalsepositionintowhichhehaddraggedher；andyettherewassomethingsoadmirablysincereintheKing’swords，somethingsocourteousandmanly，thatitrobbedhiswordsofallthetheatricaleffecttheyheld，andhistributetothegirlfilledevenGordonwithanemotionwhichonthepartoftheyoungnoblesfoundexpressionincheeruponcheer。

GordonrecalledthesecheersandthelooksofwonderingadmirationwhichhadbeenturneduponMissCarson，andhegrewsohotattherecollectionthathestruckthewallbesidehimsavagelywithhisclinchedfist，anddamnedtheobstinacyofhisyoungandbeautifulfriendwithasincerityandvigorthatwasthehighestexpressionofhisinterestinherbehalf。

Hethrewhiscigarintotherampartathisfeetanddroppedbackintothehighroad。Itwasdesertedatthetime，exceptforthepresenceofatall，slightlybuiltstranger，whoadvancedtowardhimfromthecitygates。ThemanwasdressedingarmentsofEuropeanfashionandcarriedhimselflikeasoldier，andGordonputhimdownataglanceasoneofthevolunteersfromParis。Thestrangerwaswalkingleisurely，stoppingtogazeatthefeluccasinthebay，andthenturningtolookupatthefortressonthehill。Heseemedtohavenopurposeinhiswalkexcepttheinterestofatourist，andashedrewupevenwithGordonheraisedhishelmetpolitelyand，greetinghiminEnglish，askedifhewereontherightroadtotheBashaw’sPalace。Gordonpointedtowherethewhitewallsofthepalaceroseabovetheotherwhitewallsaboutit。

"Thatisit，"hesaid。"Alltheroadsleadtoit。Youkeepgoinguphill。"

"Thankyou，"saidthestranger。"IseeIhavetakenalongway。"Heputhiswhiteumbrellainthesand，and，removinghishelmet，moppedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief。"Itisacuriousoldtown，Tangier，"hesaid，affably，"buttoomanyhills，isitnotso？AlgiersIlikebetter。Thereismorelife。"

"Yes，Algiersisalmostasgoodastheboulevards，"Gordonassented，"ifyouliketheboulevards。Ipreferthisplacebecauseitisunspoiled。But，asyousay，thereisnotmuchtodohere。"

Thestranger’seyesfellupontheHotelGrandeBretagne，whichstoodaquarterofamileawayfromthemonthebeach。

"ThatistheHotelBretagne，isitnot？"heasked。Gordonansweredhimwithanod。

"TheKingLouisofMessina，sothechasseuratthehoteltellsme，isstoppingthereensuite，"thestrangeradded，withaninterrogativeairofonewhovolunteersaninterestingfact，andwhoasksifitistrueatthesamemoment。

"Ican’tsay，I’msure，"Gordonreplied。"Ionlyarrivedhereyesterday。"

Thestrangerbowedhisheadinrecognitionofthispieceofpersonalinformation，and，puttingonhishelmet，pickeduphisumbrellaasthoughtocontinuehisstroll。Ashedidsohiseyeswanderedovertheharborandwerearrestedwithapparentinterestbytheyacht，whichlayaconspicuousobjectonthebluewater。Hepointedatitwithhisumbrella。

"OneofyourEnglishmen—of—warisintheharbor，Isee。Sheisverypretty，butnotlarge；notsolargeasmany，"hesaid。

Gordonturnedhisheadobliginglyandgazedattheyachtwithpoliteinterest。"Isthataman—of—war？Ithoughtitwasayacht，"hesaid。"I’mnotfamiliarwiththeEnglishwar—vessels。IamanAmerican。"

"Ah，indeed!"commentedtheaffablestranger。"IamFrenchmyself，butIthinksheisaman—of—war。IsawhergunswhenIpassedonthesteamerfromGibraltar。"

Gordonknewthatthesteamerdidnotpasswithinhalfamileofwheretheyachtlayatanchor，butheconsidereditmightbepossibletoseeherdeckswiththeaidofaglass。

"Youmayberight，"heanswered，indifferently。Asheturnedhiseyesfromtheboathesawawoman，dressedinwhite，andcarryingaparasol，leavethegardensoftheHotelBretagne，andcometowardthemalongthebeach。TheFrenchman，followingthedirectionofhiseyes，sawheralso，andregardedherinstantlywithsuchevidentconcernthatGordon，whohadrecognizedherevenatthatdistanceastheCountessZara，feltassuredthathisinquisitorheld，ashehadalreadysuspected，morethanatourist’sinterestinTangier。

"Well，Iwillwishyouagood—morning，"saidtheFrenchman，hurriedly。

"Good—morning，"Gordonreplied，andtakingacigarfromhiscase，heseatedhimselfagainupontherampart。Ashewalkedawaythestrangerglancedbackoverhisshoulder，butGordonwasapparentlyabsorbedinwatchingthewavesbelowhim，andhadlostallinterestinhischanceacquaintance。ButhewatchedboththewomanandtheFrenchmanastheyadvancedslowlyfromoppositedirectionsanddrewnearertogether，andhewasnotaltogethersurprised，whentheinmanwaswithintwentyfeetofher，toseeherstartandstandstill，andthen，withtheindecisionofahuntedanimal，moveuncertainly，andthenturnandruninthedirectionofthehotel。Somethingthemanapparentlycalledafterhercausedhertostop，andGordonobservedthemnowwithundisguisedinterestastheystoodconversingtogether，obliviousoftheconspicuousmarktheymadeonthebroadwhitebeachunderthebrilliantsun。

"Iwonderwhathe’suptonow？"Gordonmused。"Hewastryingtopumpme，that’sevident，andhecertainlyrecognizedthelady，andsheapparentlydidnotwanttorecognizehim。I

wonderifheisarejectedlover，oranotherconspirator。

Thisisamostamusingplace，nothingbutplotsandcounterplotsand——Hello!"heexclaimedaloud。ThemanhadmovedquicklypastMadameZara，andhadstartedtowardthehotel，andZarahadheldoutherhandtohim，asthoughtoentreathimtoremain。Buthedidnotstop，andshehadtakenafewuncertainstepsafterhim，andhadthen，muchtotheAmerican’sdismay，fallenlimplyonherbackonthesoftsand。

Shewasnotahundredyardsdistantfromwherehesat，andinaninstanthehadslippedfromthewall，anddroppedonhishandsandkneesonthebeachbelow。WhenGordonreachedhertheFrenchmanhadreturned，andwassupportingherheadonhiskneeandcoveringherheadwithherparasol。

"Theladyhasfainted!"heexclaimed，eagerly。Hismannerwasnolongeroneofidleindolence。Hewaswideawakenowandvisiblyexcited。

"Thesunhasbeentoomuchforher，"hesaid。"Itismostdangerouswalkingaboutatthistimeofday。"

Gordonrandownthebeachandscoopedupsomewaterinhishelmet，anddippinghishandkerchiefinitbathedhertemplesandcheek。Hehadtimetonotethatshewasaverybeautifulgirl，andthepallorofherfacegaveitatouchofgentlenessthathehadnotseentherebefore。

"Iwillgotothehotelandbringassistance，saidthestranger，uneasily，asthewomanshowedsignsofregainingconsciousness。

"No，"saidGordon，"you’llstaywhereyouareandshadeherwithherumbrella。She’llbeallrightinaminute。"

Thegirlopenedhereyes，andlookingupsawGordonbendingoverher。Sheregardedhimforamomentandmadeanefforttorise，andinherendeavortodosohereyesmetthoseoftheFrenchman，andwithasharpmoansheshutthemagainandthrewherselffromGordon’skneetothesand。

"Givemethatumbrella，"saidGordon，"andgostandoverthereoutoftheway。"

Themanrosefromhiskneewithoutshowinganyresentmentandwalkedsomelittledistanceaway，wherehestoodwithhisarmsfolded，lookingouttosea。Heseemedmuchtoooccupiedwithsomethingofpersonalinteresttoconcernhimselfwithawoman’sfainting—spell。Thegirlliftedherselfslowlytoherelbow，andthen，beforeGordoncouldassisther，rosewithaquick，gracefulmovementandstooderectuponherfeet。SheplacedadetaininghandforaninstantontheAmerican’sarm。

"Thankyouverymuch，"shesaid。"IamafraidIhavebeenimprudentingoingoutintothesun。"HereyeswerefixedupontheFrenchman，whostoodmoodilystaringattheseaandtearingoneofhisfinger—nailswithhisteeth。Heseemedutterlyobliviousoftheirpresence。ThegirlheldoutherhandfortheparasolshehaddroppedandtookitfromGordonwithabow。

"MayIwalkbackwithyoutoyourhotel？"heasked。"Unlessthisgentleman————"

"Thankyou，"thegirlsaid，intoneswhichtheFrenchmancouldhaveeasilyoverheardhadhebeenlistening。"Iamquiteabletogoalonenow；itisonlyastep。"

ShewasstillregardingtheFrenchmanclosely；butashewasobviouslyunconsciousofthemshemovedsothatGordonhidherfromhim，andinanentirelydifferentvoiceshesaid，speakingrapidly，——

"YouareMr。Gordon，theAmericanwhojoineduslastnight。

ThatmanisaspyfromMessina。HeisRenauld，theCommander—in—Chiefoftheirarmy。Hemustbegottenawayfromhereatonce。Itisamatterforamantoattendto。Willyoudoit？"

"Howdoyouknowthis？"Gordonasked。"HowdoyouknowheisGeneralRenauld？Iwanttobecertain。"

Thegirltossedherheadimpatiently。

"HewaspointedouttomeatMessina。Isawhimthereincommandatareview。Hehasjustspokentome——thatwaswhatfrightenedmeintothatfainting—spell。Ididn’tthinkIwassoweak，"shesaid，shakingherhead。"Heofferedmeabribetoinformhimofourplans。Itellyouheisaspy。"

"That’sallright，"saidGordon，reassuringly；"yougobacktothehotelnowandsendthoseguardshereonarun。I’llmakeachargeagainsthimandhavehimlockedupuntilafterwesailto—night。Hurry，please；I’llstayhere。"

Gordonfeltapleasurableglowofexcitement。Itwashisnaturetothrowhimselfintoeverythinghedidandtoatoncebecomeapartisan。Itwasaqualitywhichmadehiswritingsattractivetothereader，andanobjectofconcerntohiseditor。Attheveryword"spy，"andatthisfirsthintofoppositiontothecauseinwhichhehadbutjustenlisted，hethrilledasthoughithadalwaysbeenhisown，andheregardedtheFrenchmanwithapersonaldislikeassuddenasitwasunfounded。

TheFrenchmanhadturnedandwaswalkinginthedirectionofthecitygate。Hiseyeswerebentonthesandybeachwhichstretchedbeforehim，andhemadehiswayutterlyunmindfulofthewavesthatstoleuptohisfeetandleftlittlepoolsofwaterinhispath。Gordonbeckonedimpatientlytothetwosoldierswhocamerunningtowardhimatthehotel，andmovedforwardtomeetthemthesooner。HetookoneofthembythewristandpointedwithhisotherhandattheretreatingfigureoftheFrenchman。

"Thatman，"hesaid，"isoneoftheKing’senemies。TheKingisindangerwhilethatmanishere。YourdutyistoprotecttheKing，sohegivesthisforeignerintoyourcharge。"

Thesoldiernoddedhisheadinassent。"TheKinghimselfsentus，"hereplied。

"YouwillplacehimintheCivilPrison，"Gordoncontinued，"untiltheKingissafeonhisyacht，andyouwillnotallowhimtosendfortheFrenchConsul—General。IfheseestheConsul—Generalhewilltellhimagreatmanyliesaboutyou，andagreatwar—shipwillcomeandyourBashawwillbeforcedtopaytheforeignersmuchmoney。Iwillgowithyouandtellthismaninhisowntonguewhatyouaregoingtodowithhim。"

TheywalkedhurriedlyaftertheFrenchman，andwhentheyhadovertakenhimGordonhaltedandbowed。

"Onemoment，please，"hesaid。"Thesesoldiershaveanorderforyourarrest。Ispeakthelanguage，andifyouhaveanythingtosaytothemIwillinterpretforyou。"

TheFrenchmanstaredfromGordontotheguardsandthenlaughedincredulouslybutwithnogreatconfidence。Hehadmuchtosay，buthedemandedtoknowfirstwhyheshouldbearrested。

"Theladyyouinsulted，"Gordonanswered，gravely，"happened，unfortunatelyforyou，tobeoneoftheKing’sguests。Shehascomplainedtohim，andhehassentthesesoldierstoputyouwhereyoucannottroubleheragain。Yousee，sir，youcannotannoywomenwithimpunityeveninthisbarbarouscountry。"

"Insulther!Ididnotinsulther，"themanretorted。"ThatisnotthereasonIamarrested。"

"Youannoyedhersomuchthatshefainted。Isawyou，"saidGordon，backingawaywiththeevidentpurposeofabandoningtheforeignertohisguards。

"Shehaslied，"themancried，"eithertotheKingortome。

Idonotknowwhich，butIamheretofindout。ThatiswhyI

cametoTangier，andIintendtolearnthetruth。"

"You’vebegunratherbadly，"Gordonanswered，ashestillretreated。"IntheCivilPrisonyourfieldofinvestigationwillbelimited。"

TheFrenchmantookahastysteptowardhim，shruggingoffthehandoneofthesoldiershadplacedonhisshoulder。

"AreyouthePrinceKalonay，sir？"hedemanded。"Butsurelynot，"headded。

"No，IamnotthePrince，"Gordonanswered。"Ibidyougood—morning，sir。"

"Thenyouareontheotherside，"themancalledafterhimeagerly，withatoneofgreatrelief。"Ihavebeenrightfromtheveryfirst。Iseeitplainly。Itisadoubleplot，andyouareoneofthatwoman’sdupes。Listentome——Ibegofyou，listentome——Ihaveastorytotell。"

Gordonpausedandlookedbackatthemanoverhisshoulder，doubtfully。

"It’sliketheArabianNights，"hesaid，withapuzzledsmile。

"TherewasoncearichmerchantofBagdadandtheSultanwasgoingtoexecutehim，buttheyputofftheexecutionuntilhecouldtellthemthestoryoftheBeautifulCountessandtheFrenchEnvoy。Iamsorry，"headded，shakinghishead，"butI

cannotlistennow。Imustnotbeseentalkingtoyouatall，andeveryonecanseeushere。"

Theywereasconspicuousfiguresontheflatsurfaceofthebeachastwopalmsinadesert，andGordonwasmostanxioustoescape，forhewasconsciousthathecouldbeobservedfromeverypointinthetown。Ahundredyardsaway，ontheterraceofthehotel，hesawtheKing，MadameZara，Barrat，andErhauptstandingtogetherwatchingthem。

"IftheAmericanleaveshimnow，wearesafe，"theKingwassaying。Hespokeinawhisper，asthoughhefearedthatevenatthatdistanceGordonandtheFrenchmancouldoverhearhiswords。"Butifheremainswithhimhewillfindoutthetruth，andthatmeansruin。Hewillruinus。"

"Look，heiscomingthisway，"Zaraanswered。"Heisleavinghim。Thedangerispast。"

TheFrenchmanraisedhiseyesandsawthefourfiguresgroupedcloselytogetherontheterrace。

"See，whatdidItellyou？"hecried。"SheiswiththeKingnow。Itisaplotwithinaplot，andIbelieveyouknowit，"

headded，furiously。"Youareoneofthesebraveblackmailersyourself——thatiswhyyouwillnotletmespeak。"

"Blackmailers!"saidGordon。"Confoundyourimpudence，whatthedevildoyoumeanbythat？"

ButtheFrenchmanwasstaringangrilyatthedistantgroupontheterrace，andGordonturnedhiseyesinthesamedirection。

Somethinghesawinthestrainedandeagerattitudeofthefourconspiratorsmovedhimtoasuddendetermination。

"Thatwilldo，youmustgo，"hecommanded，pointingwithhisarmtowardthecitygate；andbeforetheFrenchmancouldreply，hegaveanordertotheguards，andtheyseizedtheforeignerroughlybyeitherarmandhurriedhimaway。

"ThankGod!"exclaimedtheKing，piously。"Theyhaveseparated，andtheboythinksheisrenderingusgreatservice。Well，andsoheis，theyoungfool。"

Thegrouponthepiazzaremainedmotionless，watchingGordonasheleisurelylitacigarandstoodlookingoutattheharboruntiltheFrenchmanhaddisappearedinsidethecitywall。Thenheturnedandwalkedslowlyafterhim。

"Idonotlikethat。Idonotlikehisfollowinghim，"saidBarrat，suspiciously。

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