Bourbon. You remember that Louis
Bonaparte himself was the first to say so. He wrote a letter to the
Pope, saying so quite clearly. You will go on with it, of course,
Barebone. Say you will go on with it! To turn back now would be death.
We could not do it if we wanted to. I have been trying to think about
it, and I cannot. That is the truth. It takes one's breath away. At the
mere thought of it I feel as if I were getting out of my depth."

"We have been out of our depths the last month," admitted Barebone,
curtly.

And he stood reflecting, while Colville watched him.

"If I go on," he said, at length, "I go on alone."

"Better not," urged Colville, with a laugh of great relief. "For
you would always have me and my knowledge hanging over you. If you
succeeded, you would have me dunning you for hush-money."

Which seemed true enough. Few men knew more of one side of human nature
than Dormer Colville, it would appear.

"I am not afraid of that."

"You can never tell," laughed Colville, but his laugh rather paled under
Barebone's glance. "You can never tell."

"Wise men do not attempt to blackmail--kings."

And Colville caught his breath.

"Perhaps you are right," he admitted, after a pause. "You seem to be
taking to the position very kindly, Barebone. But I do not mind, you
know. It does not matter what we say to each other, eh? We have been
good friends so long. You must do as you like. And if you succeed, I
must be content to leave my share of the matter to your consideration.
You certainly seem to know the business already, and some day perhaps
you will remember who taught you to be a King."

"It was an old North Sea skipper who taught me that," replied Barebone.
"That is one of the things I learnt at sea."

"Yes--yes," agreed Colville, almost nervously. "And you will go on with
the thing, will you not? Like a good fellow, eh? Think about it till
to-morrow morning. I will go now. Which is my candle? Yes. You will
think about it. Do not jump to any hasty decision."

He hurried to the door as he spoke. He could not understand Barebone at
all.

"If I do go on with it," was the reply, "it will not be in response
to any of your arguments. It will be only and solely for the sake of
France."

"Yes--of course," agreed Colville, and closed the door behind him.

In his own room he turned and looked toward the door leading through to
that from which he had hurriedly escaped. He passed his hand across his
fa