Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-09-10

"Veu lhal She looked Al him with deem
meaning. With an almost impercenti-
Die movement of her head she LEI her
glance tall on spot about five feet
rom the dais. where the polished oak.
aoor shone like a mirror.
Ills eJ es followed hers. and there
cast on the waxed surface. he saw .
FACE 1t was the face of the man VIII
sat upon the throne. that of his angus (.
majesty. Dom Pedro himself. Bewii-
dered, he sought her eyes again
Again the meaning look crossed hel
features, and now her glance was
turned to a little tapestry-hung dool
that led from the hall at the right
hand side Of the throne. He watches!
her narrowly, and saw that the in
scripuon, broidered in large. black let
tefs on the hangings' lower end.
seemed to hold her attention. The
tapestry itself was a crude bit OF
work. On white charger. King AL
fonso the Wise, surrounded by his
Knights. watched the hang-man fling
ing into the flames of the Toledan bon
ire the sacred books of the Mozarab bic
ritual Beneath, ran the staring gothic
letters of the inscri&tion, "Lo que
hace Ell rey, es bien hecho'' (That
which the king does. is well done).
Again her eyes returned to the retiec-
uon on the floor, and Don Diego I'M
derstood. The litue pantomime had
taken but few minutes, yet it was
another man who stood before the
monarch now. Everything was clea,
to him. The old woman had said tina,
the unknown assassin was fair-haired.
The kings mistress had unmistakably
pointed out his reflection on the pol
ished surface of the oak, and the in
scription completed the chain of cir
cumstantial evidence The bland.
smiling monster on the throne was
the slayer, and secure in the knowi-
edge of the others ignorance. was
gloating over the prospect of his APP.
preaching end. There was only one
possible way in which he might save
himself
Once more he bowed to the throne.
/ have but one request to make of
your majesty he cried. Give me "a
hours, and Don Sancho's murderer
swings from the gallows in the Plaza
&c San Francisco. Your majesty shall
see him face to face"
The kings smile grew and broad
ened. Was ever comedy more anus
ing.
Can you offer us this proof of your
vigilance and skill? How happily shall
be relieved of my VOW" he an
swered, and what is more, you shall
have from Che royal treasure a grant
Of 10000 duros of gold the better to
maintain your high office as governor
of Seville
Il thank you with all my heart for
this boon Your majesty shall not be
disappointed" wcs Don Diego's re-
Joinder, as he backed from the royal
presence. The sitting was over, and
King and courders repaired to the cool
gardens Of the alcazar for rest and
refreshment
The morning dawned, but the al
cayde had not been idle. A skilled arti-
fcer in the Moorish quarter had fash
ioued cunning image of the king
his very double in every respect. even
10 the color Of his hair, and this dunn
my now swa! ed and dangled from the
lofty gibhet in the Plaza de San Fran
cisco. filling the gaping crowd with
wonder and delight. not unmixed.
however with some secret fear. Tha
alcayde. together with his officials.
reined their steeds toward the right OF
the high wooden platform, along the
way The royal cortege would have to
take.
They had not long TO wait, for the
kings curiosity had been aroused in
the highest decree. Near the tenth
hour, announced by the blare of tr1m-
pet and atabal. preceded by steel-clad
men~at-arms. and surrounded o. q
gliuering throng OF lords and mobiles
himself on huge blacA charger Dom
Pedro appeared. \ cloak of darr
crimson velours set of his costume OF
black silk. the ostrich plume that
curled gracefully round his barrett was
fastened by the great balas ruby, for
which he had shamelessly slain his
guest the Moorish king of Grenada.
and the gOld-inlaid uaPpinss OF his
desrier shone like fire in The bright
sunlight Followed by his train. he
swept along until the foot Of the GAL
lows was reached then refined in his
mount and looked alort There was
an instant and universal hush. A hot
flush rose 10 his pailid cheeks, one
hand tightened on the reins. while the
other hail-dreS The jeHelied dagger
that hung at his belt But he con-
troNed his emotion, and motioned Don
Diego TO approach. The alcayde. bow
ing to his horses flowing name. drew
near.
"Senor Alcayde." the King said
slowly. you are beyond doubt the
most daring man in my dominions;
but since justice has been done l anu
satisfied. Your grant shah be made
out in form tomorrow"
Again Don Diego bent to his horses
name, then. lifting his hand he cried
in laundering tones: Long live Dom
Pedro, the just king"
Taken up by the multitude, his out
Grey reechoed through the square.
Again the trumpets blared and the
royal procession moved on toward the
nalace