his adversaries should say that, while preaching peace and the
moral law, he is secretly encouraging the devilish agents of atheism,
anarchy, and rebellion."

"Perhaps so, your Holiness."

"Father, do you think the care of temporal things is ever a danger and
temptation?"

"Sometimes I think it is, your Holiness, and that the Holy Father would
be better without lands or fleshly armies."

"How late they are!" said the Pope; but at the same moment the door
opened, and a Noble Guard knelt on the threshold.

"Well?"

"The personages you expect have come, your Holiness."

"Bring them in," said the Pope.

XIII

The young King, who wore the uniform of a cavalry officer, with sword
and long blue cloak, knelt to the Pope and kissed his ring, while the
Prime Minister, who was in ordinary civilian costume, bowed deeply, but
remained standing.

"Pray sit," said the Pope, seating himself in the gilded arm-chair, with
the Capuchin on his left.

The King sat on one of the wooden stools in front of the Pope, but the
Baron continued to stand by his side. Between the Pope and the King was
a wooden table on which two large candles were burning. The young King
was pale, and the expression of his twitching face was one of pain.

"It was good of your Holiness to see us," he said, "and perhaps the
gravity of our errand may excuse the informality of our visit."

The Pope, who was leaning forward on the arms of his chair, only bent
his head.

"His Excellency," said the King, indicating the Baron, "tells me he has
gained proof of an organised conspiracy against my life, and he says
that your Holiness holds the secret of the conspirators."

The Pope, without responding, looked steadily into the face of the young
King, who became nervous and embarrassed.

"Not that I'm afraid," he said, "personally afraid. But naturally I must
think of others--my family--my people--even of Italy--and if your
Holiness...if your...your Holiness..."

The Baron, who had been standing with one arm across his breast, and the
other supporting his chin, intervened at this moment.

"Your Majesty," he said, "with your Majesty's permission, and that of
his Holiness," he bowed to both sovereigns, "it may be convenient if I
state shortly the object of our visit."

The young King drew a breath of relief, and the Pope, who was still
silent, bent his head again.

"Some days ago your Holiness was good enough to warn his