New-York tribune., 1907-11-03


should be conceded once that aroused a httle
spark of resentment. And yet he was hlled with
curiosity akin to anger.
annovance and hastened to cOnciliate. Your
Majesty as your friend ask you not to mlsconstrue
anVthing NAV say. l am asking as a favor that
he allowed nv own time and way,-yes, that
zen NAV be permitted TO suggest the conditions OF
the meeting Believe me, it is for the best
The King was mOtOnlesS and speechleSs for what
seemed a long time From his viewpoint of head
# a nation and bound to maintain its dignity, and
. man with mans anXetieS and anxious to learn
from friends lips the story of the last months
secrets and disasters he was considering what was
best to do.
In an oddly repressed tone he answered with
another tentative question. As a friend | received
YOU in my box, and now on this same basis ask
YOU If this communication of yours IS so important
and urgent that it cannot take Its due course accord
ing official custom.
Beyond official ways, Your Majesty imperative
and urgent" was the response OTHERWISE l should
not have chosen this unusual method OF approach
ing YOU nor asked for such unusual audience IN
such haste and at such an unseemly hour.
To summon a King, Prime Minister, and the
highest official OF the earths most mighty navy to
q private interview at midnight! Even IN times
Ike these II seemed pTepOsterOusly mpudent; but
this man friend from the land OF silent
terror which threatened TO conquer the world, was
undoubtedly in deadly earnest, and was means
# information between what had actually hap
pened and what TO come.
- Time will not wait, even for Kings, quoted
the monarch with some understands OF bitterness,
and from his guest came the whispered return:
No time cannot wait, even for Kings.
The monarch slowly settled back into the hol
lowed depths of his chair and, If seeking mo-
ment 5 respite to review the situation, looked up
ward the hangngs of his box and then out toward
the garish lights of the stage. The hush OF eX-
pectancy over the house had reached a climax OF
intensity and the master of ceremonies IN raucous
voice shouting toward the roof in deliberately
prolonged tones, -all-ready:' From
somewhere above them came faint response.
Yes ; and then with speed gathered by its long
fight through the air there came flashing comet
like from high above an extended SplotCh OF white,
The sound OF a sharp splash, and burst OF applause
as the event of the evening, a high dive, was
Consummated. Neither occupant of the royal box
paid any attention TO this feat. Bevlns renamed
n an attitude OF expectancy, waiting for the King
next words The success or failure OF his enterprise
might depend upon them, and in this light they
seemed Of almost tragic consequence
What do YOU propose: the ruler asked again
facing the Admiral as though there had been no
lapse of time; and the other, relieved by this sign
e assent, gave involuntary and deep drawn
SIGH of relaxation.
If Your Majesty will be so kind think it best
-hat should meet YOU in the palace within
.our after Your departure from this theater. That
VIII give ecway for the other gentlemen TO respond
>, The summons and bc there at the appointed time.
The band struck up God Save the hing,
token ot the closing Of the performance and from
where they were they could see the audience stand
ing total ignorance OF the presence OF His Majesty
and unaware OF the fact that a mOmentous inter
-lcH, involving life and death, peace and war, and
-c welfare Of empire was being conducted in tiny
.vcrhangng box above them, while lcering mask
f tragedy stared hollow eyed from the stage as If
in mockcrv The King and the Admiral were both
n their feet, the one looking absent mlndedly
through a aperture, his mind concentrated on The
decision he must make, and the other watching and
waiting with breathlcss suspense Below the throng
tcgau a steady movement toward the exits. con-
etantlv dss,pdting itself. and the house almost
e.uutcd before the officer had his reply.
\crr we'll, YOU may come, and ! shall have the
.tacr~ sent Tor at once.
BcNins gave quick start Of eNultatloni hut his
companion continued without pause,