The Washington herald., 1909-04-27

infammatory nature were made a so
clety has been formed, a league. with or
ganization extending everywhere, Al
though we may despise the princes mo-
tive, we cannot afford 10 despise his en-
ergy as claimant 70 the throne. Your
majesty knows our country saying. u;
is too late TO dodge the lightning after
you have seen the fash and doubtless
the other: The way OF the wise Is pre-
caution: the way OF the fool IS regret
would earnestly urge that measures Ue
taken az once 70 Overawe this insurrec-
ton; 70 blast It ere It blooms. Where
there is so much smoke, there must be
some FIRE. Extinguish It.
What would you propose, Lord
Tonne?" encouraged the king. when
amidst q little hum Of approval, the
speaker paused. But the king. although
apparently listening, really had paid but
scant attention 20 the sentences-only
catching word now and then He had
been pressing the duchess deliciousiy,
danger ously warm little hand.
II would have the gaTTisOns in every
city or the realm patrol the streets, from
midnight tonight until midnight tO-mOF-
row night. I would have the police in
wade every meeting, open or secret I
would let the prince and his deIuded sup
porters know that We are wstchfui, and
are in possession Of their plans
would"
Let Il be done" interrupted the king.
preparing TO rise. Let the council give
the necessary orders"
Pardon; but another thing. your mai
esty,' said Lord Tonne. hastily The
king, his hands upon the carved arms OF
Lor. .Laa ~~-T -.
osprey. Stecsin's emblem. waited The
plot against the throne includes the ab-
duction OF your royal self"
'Tndeed2-' commented the king. with
an uneasy movement he was growing
impatient Why detsin hiHi longer2
1T Is well calculated that with you in
custody OF the enemy, the government
viii be thrown into confusion. The effect
would be inevitable. and the prince
would profit by e. First the abduction,
then the outbreak. I've. the council.
and your stanch friends. beseech your
majesty not 70 expose yourself inad-
vertently-we are sure that your majesty
loves Us too well TO take a risk volun-
tarily-to the Vaccinations Of the prince.
your brother. And especially. from now
on until after the present threatening as
pect has cleared. % be unusually circum-
spect''
''Certsinly-by all means replied the
king. in an absent-minded manner. he
arose And now. with the councils per
mission, viii withdraw An-impOrtant
engagement calls" He dofTed his robes,
and left them hanging across the chair,
for the court chamberlain to bestog In
the wardrobe
Lord Tonne bit his lips. and glanced
appeaiingly at Count Ortho.
I feel" continued the king. that !
can safely leave my affairs. and the
affairs OF the state. TO the forethOught
and decision Of such body Of cham
pions by own poor advice could add
nothing. Gentlemen, ] rely implicitly
upon your judgment Thank you. my
Lord Tonne. for your zeal
Lord Tonne bowed The council stood
and remained standing as the king
crossed 10 the door
Gentlemen, adieu." said TIE king. from
the threshold
God save your majesty they re-
sponded-
With a sense OF relief. like a boy re-
leased from school. The king hurried down
the corridor. 4 word with the queen:
then a thousand with the duchess a
moment satisfying conscience. then an
hour defying Il: line OF prose that once
was poetry. then a passage Of poetry be-
cause not yet become prose The knee
at the sacristy. the heart at the inn.
God save his majesty. the man.