The Lamar register., 1909-07-21

him out of the stable yard, where the
hostlers drubbed him soundly, thank
God,
One hurried kiss to Daphne. a brief
farewell between Sir Peter and Lady
Hawkshaw, and we were off for Lon
don. Our race into Scotland was moth
ing to it.
The roads were much cut up. and
although we travelled day and night.
we were more than four days on the
way. We reached London early in the
day; and, without stopping for food,
or to change our linen, we went to the
admiralty. There we got the informa-
ton that the first lord was visiting in
the country, in Kent. Within the hour.
was on my way to Kent. When l
reached the place. the first lord had
left, not more than two hours before,
for London. / had passed him on the
road. without knowing him. l re-
turned to London. Sir Peter had seen
several members of the government.
meanwhile, and had been privately in
formed that the king was suffering
mentally; and although hopes were en-
tertained that the spell would pass
away, without the necessity of inform
ing the country or parliament, still.
access to him was refused to all by his
physicians, except the members of his
family and immediate household, and
they were charged not to mention busi-
ness to him; it would be impossible to
approach him.
When Sir Peter told me this. I be-
I fArnad tn oil dnun
After few minutes of agony, desper-
ate resolve came to me. l rose. and
said:
81 have a acknowledgements, but
not impossible. Go with me to the
prince of Wales. He is at Carlton
house. but goes back and forth to
Windsor"
Sir Peter jumped at this poor chance,
and we agreed to go Immediately.
We had left York on Friday. and
had reached London on the Monday.
Two days had abeen lost in the jour
ney to Kent; and 1t was now late in
the evening of. Wednesday. We had,
luckily, brought our uniforms along;
and, dressing ourselves In them-Sir
Peter with all his orders sewn on his
coat-we called hackney coach and
drove to Carlton house.
When we got there it was about ten
o'clock in the evening. The windows
were brilliantly lighted up, and it was
about the hour that the prince of
Wales was known to be in his best
humor-but the hour when he most
hated to be disturbed.
We descended, and the sentries
passed us through on account of our
uniforms and Sir Peters decorations
on his breast. We reached the door
door gingerly. when Sir Peter. giving
it kick. walked in, followed by me.
The man attempted to arrest our prog
ress, but Sir Peter said to him.
fiercely:
do you think, you damned lackey.
that you can be insolent to an admiral
In his majesty's service?" The man
apologized humbly and ushered us into
large reception room on the first
floor, saying he would call the gentle
| man of the chambers.
We seated ourselves. Even in that
time of agony, l noted the beauty of
!, tho room-indeed, my senses seemed
preternaturally acute, and every in
cident of that dreadful time is deeply
fixed in my mind. The ceiling was of
gilt, while around the walls were paint
ings Of Flora. A gilt chandelier
diffused light through the apartment,
and at one side was a pair of large
folding doors.
After a long wait. gentleman. Mr..
| Digby, appeared. He received US po-
litely, but said 1t was impossible to dis
turb the prince then as he was Just sit
ting down to piquet. Sir Peter re-
NAMED silent: he was used to giving
| orders. and the words, ut is impossible
to see his royal higness." were pc
| culiarly .disagreeable to him.
l then made my plea. told Mr..
Digby that the life of gallant onicer