even if the words
I had to say were cut short by a bullet.

Many people were leaving, though more than half the audience remained, and
I had to fight my way through a crowd that had not my reasons for haste.
Perhaps a look at my face made them give me room, for sooner than I dared
hope I was out of the bull-ring, and pushing through the dense pack of
people who had assembled to see the royalties and their guests drive away.
I had reached the outside rank, when I saw Carmona's automobile coming
into place behind the royal carriages and motor-cars. Someone had been
sent to fetch it here from the other entrance; and the Duke of Carmona
would be a figure of importance in the eyes of all Madrid.

Civil guards and police were busy keeping the crowd in order, with warning
gestures pressing rank upon rank back upon one another.

I made no effort to separate myself from the mass, for neither the King
nor Queen nor Carmona had yet come in sight; and I was waiting. But
suddenly shouts of "_Viva el Rey--Viva la Reina!_" broke out and swelled.

They were coming. Now they were at the door. I caught sight of Carmona,
exceedingly handsome in the joy of his great triumph. The King paused at
the door, and, seeing Carmona near by, flung him a kindly last word, with
a smile. Carmona stepped forward, hat in hand. Monica, with her mother and
the Duchess, came to a stop close behind.

My moment had come. I sprang out from the crowd, and had taken three steps
towards her, when two civil guards had me by the shoulders. At the same
instant I heard Dick's voice, and knew that he had found his way after me,
true as always, guessing what I would try to do.

The sudden movement and buzz in the group round me caught Monica's
attention. She looked, and gave a little cry as our eyes met across the
sunlit, open space. Out came her hands, and for an instant I thought she
would have run to me; but her mother's quick eyes had identified the man
between the civil guards, and she seized Monica by the arm.

"Get back," said one of the civil guards angrily. "No one is allowed to go
nearer to the King."

"I must speak to those ladies," I said, shaking one shoulder free.

"Another step, and you'll spend your night between prison walls," muttered
the guard, furious that there should be a scene under the eyes of royalty.

But now the eyes of royalty were upon me, and there was recognition in
them. The King held up his hand imperatively.

"Let that gent