Maximilian's tone changed. He meant to wound now, and did. "So," he
added, with chilling stress, "it's 'sire,' if you will be so good as to
remember."

Driscoll flushed as though struck. He became aware that it was all some
patronizing rebuke.

"There is one," he answered gently, "who taught me manners at her knee,
or tried to, and _she_ never hurt a mortal human being by a word in
her life, but that, that, sir, seems to be where _you_ have missed
it. Now look here," he went on, kindling in spite of himself, "I respect
any man who has grounds--discoverable grounds--for respecting himself,
and if you are a man, then 'sir' won't overtop you any."

Colonel Lopez of the Dragoons nudged him anxiously. "Don't say 'you';
say 'Your Majesty.'"

"Better let him alone," Maximilian interposed wearily. "He recognizes in
me a man, and--it's not unpleasant. But which," he added, "gives me
leave to hope that as a man himself he will not cringe before the
drum-head."

"May I," said Driscoll quietly, "have one minute with you alone? It's
not about myself, I promise you that. But for you, sir, it's of the very
greatest importance."

Instantly all stirred with curiosity, except Maximilian. All there were
keenly affected by the stranger's mysterious business with the Emperor,
except the Emperor himself. And each man's wits were straightway alert,
according to the hates and ambitions of each. Even Miguel Lopez, dense
of understanding, had his suspicions. Murguia's yellow features darkened
malevolently. The hacienda priest whispered to M. Eloin, and M. Eloin,
brushing the man of God aside as though he had been thinking of the very
same thing himself, tried to get a word with Maximilian. But Jacqueline
spoke first to the Emperor. She knew the susceptibility of the royal
ear. Maximilian nodded at what she said, and Eloin bit his lip.
Maximilian glanced at the American's clothes. Homespun did not
correspond with pressing business of state, to his mind.

"My good man," he said, caressing his beard, "it's not regular, you
know. Another time, perhaps, when you can have yourself inscribed by Our
Grand Chamberlain and when your application for an audience----"

"But if these senores shoot me before then?"

Maximilian shrugged his shoulders. In any case, the Ritual would suffer
no outrage.

"But I tell you," cried the exasperated Missourian, "this thing is
serious. And it can't wait either, not if it's to help you any. I may be
too la