Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-23
CHAPTER Xxx.
The King.

The King.
The vintner slowly lowered the pistol
till it touched the table; then he released
1t.
THAT is better. your majesty"
why do you call me that?"
Certainly l do not utter 1t as a COM
pliment." retorted Carmichael. dryiy.
You speak positively
with absolute authority on the SUB
ject, sire. Your face was familiar. but
failed at first to place 1t rightly. 1t
was only after you had duped me into
going after the yelled lady that had any
real suspicion. You are Frederick Leo
pold Of Jugendheit."
II shall not deny it further" proudly.
"And take care how you speak to me.
since I admit my identity"
"Oho.' Carmichael gave rein to his
laughter This is Ehrenstein; here
The king Redeemed. and his hand closed
again over the pistol.
Il have saved your majesty twice from
death. You force me to recall 1t to your
mind?
The king had the grace to lower his
eyes.
1.-The first time was at Bonn. Don't
you recollect the day when an American
took you out Of the Rhine, an American
who did not trouble himself to come
around and ask for your thanks. who. In
truth. did not learn till days after what
an important person You were. or were
going to be?' There was a bite In every
word. for Carmichael felt that he had
been ill-treated.
For that moment. herr. thank you
And for that in the garden below?'
For that also. Now. why are you
here? You have not come for the pur-
pose Of recalling these two disagreeable
incidents to my mind"
table. his jaws set and no kindly spirit
in his eyes mo, have another pur-
pose" He bent over the table. and with
his face close to that of the king. u
are toward that friendless goose-girl."
And what is that to Xpu?. said the
''It is this much: if you have acted
toward her otherwise than honorably-
Well"'
go on; you interest me"'
"Well, I promise to break every bone
in your kingly body. In this room 1t IL
man to man: recognize no king. only
the physical being"
The king pushed aside the table. Iu-
rious No living being had ever spoken
to him like that before. He swung the
flat of his hand toward Carmichaefs face
The latter caught the hand by the wrist
and bore down upon 1t. The king was
no weakhng. There was a struggle. and
Carmichael found himself well occupied
for a time But his age and build were
in his favor, and presently he damned
the king to the wall and pinioned his
arms.
There. Will you be patient for a mo-
ment?'
"You shall die for this insult!" said the
king. as quietly as his hard breathing
would allow. He saw flashes of red be-
tween his face and the others. :.
II have heard that before. But how
banteringly. -
II will waive my crown; man to man.!
Sword sticks, sabers or hop poles
Come savagely. what do you mean by
the goose girl?''
So intent on the struggle were they tha'
neither heard the door open and close.
Yes. my dear nephew, what do you
mean by Gretchen"
Carmichael released the king. and witt
feline uuickness stopped and secured the
pistol. which had fallen to the floor No
sure of the new arrivals. purpose he
backed to the wall He knew tine VOICE
and recognized its owner.
put it in your pocket. Mr.. Carmichael
And let us finish this discussion in Eng
lish, since there are many ears about the
"His royal highness?". murmured the
"Yes, sire! True to life"
Carmichael dropped the pistol into, a
pocket, and the king smoothed down his
"A fine comedy" cried Herr Ludwig
jovially, folding his arms over his deer
chest "A rollicking adventure! Where's
the story book to match It? A kingdom
ing for these sneaking journalists
Thunder and blazes!" with an amiability
which had behind it a good leaven OF de-
spair. well, nephew, you have not a.
yet answered either Mr.. Carmichaefs
Question or my own. What do you mean
by Gretchen
II love her. nobly. And well for you
my uncle, that yot, come as you do. /!
would have married her! Wrong her!
What was crown to me VINO. TIL now
have never worn one save In speech
You have been the king.
Bodies must have heads. Kingdoms
must have kings 1 have tried an ex-
pertinent, and this is the result
wanted you to be man, human man
I wanted you to grow up unfettered by
power; l wanted you to mingle with peo-
pies. here and there, so. when you be-
came their head physician. you could
ably minister to their political diseases
And all this fine ambition. tumbies down
before the wooden shoes OF pretty
goose girl. Nothing makes so good
PHILOSOPHER as a series of plumbers and
mistakes. am beaten: l admit It,
did my best to save you from TINS tangte
but 1T was written tldC YOU SnouIu pu'
your foot in 1t. But on top of this you
have made a greater mistake than you
dream of, nephew. The Princess Hide
garde is as fine woman as ever your
Gretchen. Mr.. Carmichael will agree to
that" maliciOusly
Carmichael gave no sign that he under
stood: but there was no mistaking the
prince regents inference, however. The
recipient of this compliment stubbornly
refused to give the prince the satisfaction
of seeing how neatly the barb had gone
home.
.sBut, Mr. Carmichael. what is your
interest in Gretchen?
Carmichael trembled with JOY Here
was an opening for double shot. MY
interest in her is better than yours Tor
have not asked her to become king
mistress"
His royal highness bit his lip.
..Uncle." cried the king, Mortified at
this revelation.
mr.. Carmichael evidently has applied
his ear to. some keyhole-"
mo, thank you! The window was
open. My clerk heard you plainly"
Uncle, is this damnable thing true?"
Eyes. What would you? You were de-
termined to make fool Of yourself But
rest easy. She is ignorant where this of
fer came from, and. moreover, she spurn-
ed it, is Mr. Carmichaefs clerk will af-
firm Oh Gretchen is a fine little woman.
ond T ,uouJd IN Cod she was of yOur sta