Tombstone epitaph., 1915-06-06

queen regent anC lue prime munster.
 The steward was a sensible man. He asked no further questions. but de parted to carry out his instructions
 During the next hour l sat in the tutors room, receiving continual mes sages with respect to the various per sons who sought to come in or out. In each case l gave my consent Finally the steward returned, bringing his re- port, {. most admirable paper. which would have done credit to any chancel- lery in Europe. The name and. in most cases. the business of every wis lous care. l read the report through, and mist came over my eyes.
 You have done your work magnifi- gently. senor.' l said to the steward. I am now going to show this document to the queen. Should anyone want to enter the palace while l am with her majesty. be sure to let me know
 T dismissed him. and made my way with ill-suppressed agitation to the royal apartments, where I was instant ly admitted. l handed the report to her maje sty, and desired her to look through it, and see if 1t contained any thing worthy of remark She complied with my request, but observed noth- ing. l then ventured to put a Ques- ton:
 T should be grateful if your males. l ty could recollect any incident, how ever trivial, during the last few days before the kings disappearance, which I might throw light on the means of persuasion employed by his abduc, tors
 Queen Christina appeared slightly puzzled.
 In other words "In other words, wherever the king has gone to, he must, in the first in. stance. have gone willingly The queen looked dismayed. and shook her head doubtfully. Think again, madame. Did any thing occur to excite the king during the last lew days? Children sometimes l have strange ideas; they desire to leave their homes. to initiate Robinson | IruSOe, 10 become DanClts The queen suddenly looked up. There is one thing which perhaps ought to mention to you, though the | recollection is painful at this time. My son was very much put out with me | shortly before this terrible event. Il was on account of the dismissal of the | chief cook, whom the steward had de | tected in gross dishonesty. This man 1t appears. had a nephew, a child ol | about the kings own age, who had | contriyed to ingratiate himself with | Alfonso, and through this nephew Go meg had got a petition into the king $ hands, praying that his fault might be overlooked. Of course had to refuse | the petition, and Alfonso was bitterly aggrieved.
 " Enough, madame I had begun
 when we were interrupted by the ar
 rival of the steward. l begged the queen to admit him.
 | You asked me to let you know senor. if anyone desired to enter the
 palace. and l therefore thought it my
 duty to come to you, though it IS only [ the case of child
 What child'' I asked as calmly as
 could.
 'Pedrillo Gomez, the cook: nephew. who has come to visit his uucle's
 He cannot be admitted for the
 present. l said sternly. 'Detain hin in your room till you hear from me
 The steward was plainly confound ed. But he discreetly refrained from
 any reply. and withdrew 10 fulfill my directions.
 Surely that is a rather harsh step. remonstrated Queen Christina l Madame I replied, with the ut most good humor, the child who has 1 just come to the palace is some impos tor. He is not Pedrillo Gomez at all. The queen looked at me as if had just claimed omniscience.
 How can you say that, NJ le Baron?'
 Simply by referring to the report in your majesty's hand. You will see from it that the cooks nephew entered the palace last Monday morning at 1 eight o'clock, and that he has never ] left 1t since. Consequently. the child | at the door must be some one else
 T could see her begin to tremble.
 Speak, What do you meano
 "I mean this, madame, that where | ss I formerly asked for five days in which to bring your son to you. I now ask for five minutes. I am going to ! interview the true Pedrillo, the Pedril. | To who has been concealed in the cooks apartment for the last four days
 T darted from her presence. and made my way straight through the | building to the door from which I had seen Doctor Henarez emerge rapped, and a mans voice inquired: Is that you, Pedrillo?
 At the same time a bolt was with drawn from inside. and the door partly opened. I slipped through, and walked | into the middle of the chamber. The cook. a huge man, win as yillainous a ! face as l have ever seen, eyed me like a tiger as coolly took possession of his sitting room. No Pedrillo was anywhere to be seen.
 Who are you, senorT the man stammered out.
 "I am a doctor. I responded. with fho moSf friendly air in tha UorId