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。