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。