Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07

mouth. AS Tor the 1ellOW L ndQ nit, l was sure
that he would presently come round but little
the worse for wear; and | suggested that Dick
and | find rope in the car which would bind
him and the two other half disabled ones. But
the King would not let work alone. He
did as much as We and more before were
joined by the young officer who was his
friend.
Discouraged and weak from loss of blood
as we'll the loss of their carblnes and their
comrades, the wounded brigands made no
further fight. But they were silent, save for
muttered oath or two, and | made up my
mind that the true secret of this mornings
work would never be torn from them. For
there of course secret. The hing, who
had not the clue which | held, saw that, and
wondered why the brigands had not wished
at first to shoot us. Plainly their plan had
been to make CaptIveS.
The obvious idea was that they would have
conveyed their prisoners to some brigands'
nest in the mountains in the hope of obtaining
a rich ransom But they had evidently ex-
pected automobile, or they would not have
raised a barriCade Just round sharp corner
on particularly lonely piece of road:
Could they have been lying IN wait tor the
King2 This seemed impossible, as he had told
no one that he was going out, and the ex-
petition had indeed been made on the impulse,
in the company of only companion besides
the chauffeur He had intended to have
spin, and discover the state OF the roads as
far as practicable on the way to Jerez before
noon; and that evening he must return to
Madrid. No, it was not the King for whom the
seven men had prepared. Who then was to
have been their prey? | believed that could
have answered this question, but kept silent;
and there was no reason why the King should
guess that had suspicion.
AT all events" he said, I'VE have you and
your friend to thank that the affair was not
more serious. | hope we should have been
able to give good account of ourselves; but
seven against two are long odds. And there
seems a fate in it that you should have come
to me in the nick of time to-day as well
as at Biarritz. | should like to know your
names.
had dreaded this. Foolishly. perhaps, |
felt that | could not bear to see the cordial
light in his eyes fade to proud GOODNESS, as 1t
must when he knew for son OF the man
who had tried to place another on his throne.
Besides, that | should at such moment an
nounce myself Casa Trana would seem like
bidding for pardon reward tor what l had
done The confession stuck in my throat;
and while l hestated Dick spoke.
My friend didn't mean you to know, SIT
said he, gabbling fast that | could not stop
him. but this isn't the second time he has
happened to be round when there was little
thing to be done for Your Majesty; it's the
third. Yesterday it was he who snatched that
bomb away from the man under the float,
collared the other fellow, and stuck the bomb
into smashed water jar, although he gave the
credit to the chauffeur-who, by the way, is
chauffeur to this car. My friend here is travel
ing, as you might say incog. for important
private reasons which he will want you to
know some day sir. if he doesn't now; and
that's why, when Ropes the chauffeur hap
pened along he made him present OF all the
praise. '
The King flushed, looking me straight in the
eyes with an expression noble and at the
same time so kind that, had we lived century
or two ago. when men were not ashamed to
show their true feelings, should have thrown
myself at his feet.
Il thank you again" he said, for every
thing. | am glad to know you are Spanish.
even if l am to know no more. But am | to
know more?'
Will Your Majesty pardon me-" asked,
If beg to remain nameless for the pres
enta"
" | could pardon you far graver crimes the
King said, smiling; and | am sure that your
reason, whatever it is reflects nothing but
honor on yourself. | owe you debt. Claim
its payment in my gratitude whenever you
will; the sooner the better. And if you
want friend, you will always know where to
find one"
He held out his hand, and. when l took it,
shook mine warmly in English fashion He
was about to say something else on a second
thought when his friend, who had now restored
the chauffeur to dazed consciousness drew his
attention. Sir" he said, the civil guards
are coming back without prisoners"
A minute or two later the two men had