searched
throughout the world. With a cry that came from my heart I threw myself
beside the bed and took his hand in mine.

"Max! Max!" I cried, regardless of the people standing by, "have I found
you at last? At last, Max, at last?"

"At last, Paul," he answered, with a curious smile upon his face. "Yes,
you have found me at last."

I could not utter another word, but repeated his name again and again. I
had found him, the man for whom I had searched so long, and whom I had
scarcely even dared to hope to see again. Yes, it was quite true that I
had found him, but in what a state! Mad, indeed, had I been not to have
looked for him in the ranks of Pannonia's army. I might have known that
when she called he would not be the last to answer. And yet to think of
him as he was now.

"Max," I faltered, "why did you not let me know you were here?"

"Because you would have sought me out," he answered. "Believe me, Paul,
it is far better as it is. I have no regrets. I have fought for you and
for her, and that makes me quite happy."

"You do not know how we have loved you, or how we have searched for
you," I said; "and to meet like this! Oh, Max! it is more than I can
bear."

At this point the doctor came forward and examined him. I glanced
anxiously at the former's face, but what I saw there was not calculated
to reassure me. I accordingly drew him on one side.

"Tell me frankly," I said, "is his condition quite hopeless?"

"Quite," he replied. "It is marvellous that he has lingered for so
long."

"You are quite sure that nothing can be done for him? Remember that he
is the King!"

"I regret having to say that nothing more can be done," said the doctor,
visibly moved at my distress.

I turned to Groplau, who was standing at the foot of the bed.

"General," I said, "unknown to you, it was your King who won for you the
city."

The general came forward and dropped upon his knee.

"Oh, if your Majesty had only told me!" he said; "if only I had not been
so blind!"

"So blind?" asked Max, as if he did not quite understand what the other
implied.

"Yes, so blind," the general continued. "Ever since that day on which I
offered you the commission, your face has haunted me. I felt sure I had
seen it before, but I could not tell where. I did not think of the days
when you were a little boy, and played with my sword. If only I had
known, how different things would have been!"

"I would rather have them as they are,"