like fairyland. There were two or three
times when it seemed as if we'd turn over, or leap the track. But we
didn't."

The King lay back and thought. More than anything in the world he loved
this boy. But the occasion demanded a strong hand. "You were happy,"
he said. "You were disobedient, you were causing grave anxiety and
distress--and you were happy! The first duty of a prince is to his
country. His first lesson is to obey laws. He must always obey certain
laws. A king is but the servant of his people."

"Yes, sir," said Prince Ferdinand William Otto.

The old King's voice was stern. "Some day you will be the King. You
are being trained for that high office now. And yet you would set the
example of insubordination, disobedience, and reckless disregard of the
feelings of others."

"Yes, sir," said prince Ferdinand William Otto, feeling very small and
ashamed.

"Not only that. You slipped away. You did not go openly. You sneaked
off, like a thief. Are you proud of it?"

"No, sir."

"I shall," said the King, "require no promise from you. Promises are
poor things to hold to. I leave this matter in your own hands, Otto. You
will be punished by Miss Braithwaite, and for the next ten days you will
not visit me. You may go now."

Otto got off his chair. He was feeling exceedingly crushed. "Good-night,
sir," he said. And waited for his grandfather to extend his hand. But
the old King lay looking straight ahead, with his mouth set in grim
lines, and his hands folded over his breast.

At the door the Crown Prince turned and bowed. His grandfather's eyes
were fixed on the two gold eagles over the door, but the photograph on
the table appeared to be smiling at him.

CHAPTER IV. THE TERROR

Until late that night General Mettlich and the King talked together.
The King had been lifted from his bed and sat propped in a great chair.
Above his shabby dressing-gown his face showed gaunt and old. In a
straight chair facing him sat his old friend and Chancellor.

"What it has shown is not entirely bad," said the King, after a pause.
"The boy has initiative. And he made no attempt at evasion. He is
essentially truthful."

"What it has also shown, sire, is that no protection is enough. When I,
who love the lad, and would--when I could sleep, and let him get away,
as I did--"

"The truth is," said the King, "we are both of us getting old." He
tapped with his gnarled fingers on the blanket that lay over his knees.