Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
THE CAR OF DESTINY

the palace. What you shall see there,
he said, is secret. 1t was secret of
King Phihp's,-so great secret that even
the writers of guide books know nothing
of it;Awhile, if tourist should have heard
a rumor and asked question, the at
tendants would say, There is no such a
thing in existence Only the royal FAM
lily know, few privileged people about
the court, and the guardians of the ESQ.,
rial. AS for me, was told by some one
here-some one whom / myself placed in
the palace"
Ny curiosity was excited; and even
Dick, who resented this expedition, looked
interested as we arrived at the palace
the great gridirons handle. At the en-
trance Carmona separated himself from
the rest of the party, saying that he must
have a few words in private with the at
tendant who would show the rooms of
Philip II. He walked ahead, engaged the
brown Iveried guide in low voiced con-
versation, and seemed to ask question
with some eagerness.
Observing the pantomime from dis
lance, fancied that, for some reason,
Carmona was to be denied the privilege
ofwhich he had boasted; but apparently
he did not intend to accept defeat without
a struggle. He and the guide moved on.
then stopped again to argue-this time
with their backs to us: but, from the
action of Carnona's elbows, judged that
he put his hand into his pocket. Five or
six minutes later he returned, to an
nounce that after some difficulty he had
succeeded in getting his own way. We
might go unattended into the private
apartments of Philip IL; and while we
were there other visitors would be kept
out.
The guide led us down the narrow stair
then slipped away, shutting the door
behind him. Lady Vale Avon and
Monica (the mother still c1asping her
daughters arn), Pillar, Dick, Carmona,
and were now alone between the gloomy
walls behind which the bigot and despot
had lived his miserable life and died his
miserable death. There was chill in the
somber place which froze the spirit; yet /,
for one, did not feel sad. was conscious
only of an excited expectancy, as if watt
ing for something to happen.
We let Our imagination set the meager
form of Philip in his chair, or by the desk
at which he used to write; examined the
grim relics of his monklike existence; and
finally moved to the death chamber, set
like a stage box at the theater, beside the
Q1SQ altar Oh the CIldpcl. Do SlIidu was Inc
room that it was filled by our little party
of six; yet felt there another presence
which none of us could sea gray ghost,
agonizing for his sins, through bleak
eternity.
Monica felt it too, for she shivered and
exclaimed, Let us go. This room seems
haunted with evil can't breathe in Il"
But now for the secret" said Car
mona Would you guess at any hidden
opening in these walls?"
We stared critically about, but the
Duke stopped me. "You would never
find the place" he said; and promised
the person who told me not to divulge the
secret; but that doesn't prevent me from
showing you what is behind the door,"
He moved close to the wall, stood for
an instant, then stepped back, as we
heard slight clicking sound, like the
snap of spring on an old box lid. At the
same time a part of the wainscoting rolled
away, leaving narrow aperture.
1t was dark on the other side, but Car
mona took gold match box from his
pocket and struck bunch of little wax
tapers.
Philip had this cell made for place
of penance and self torture, he said, q and
it is just as it used to be during his life
L r 4