d of being captured after this nefarious act; for
gloze it over as he would, the subtle Franco-Italian knew in his heart
that though it might be for reasons of State, and to ensure the
stability and future of his King, the scheme was vile. Then, too, there
was all that had taken place that night, the peculiar semi-trance-like
state in which the King had seemed to be plunged. There was the
draught, too, that had been taken, and its effects before he had grasped
the King's wrist and had led him, a passive instrument in his hands, to
where the cabinet stood in the obscurity of the gallery, and had him
standing there, participator of that which had followed, but in a half
unconscious condition the while.

Once or twice after coming to the conclusion, and owning to himself that
the state of Francis was due entirely to the draught he had
administered, Leoni started nervously in his saddle, for the King had
suddenly given a lurch as if partly unseated; but he regained his
balance on the instant, and muttered angrily at his horse for stumbling.

They rode on now at a hand gallop, their horses' hoofs beating heavily
upon the road, but not drowning the King's voice, as every now and then
he made his horse lay back its ears to listen to the rider's words,
which at times came angrily and fast. But they were incoherent and
strange, and it was only now and then that Leoni, on his right, and
Denis, on his left, caught their import, always something about the hunt
and losing their quarry.

It was just after one of these mutterings that the clouds were swept
from the face of the moon, passing onward like a vast black velvet
curtain edged with silver, and leaving visible a third, later on a half,
of the vast arch overhead, studded here and there with stars whose
lustre was paled by the effulgent moon.

And now it was that, after studying the sky overhead for some minutes to
make sure, Denis could control himself no longer, and involuntarily
exclaimed; "Are we going right?"

"What!" cried Leoni sharply, for the King paid no heed, but galloped on,
muttering to himself the while.

"Are we going right?" repeated the lad.

"What do you mean, boy?"

"The road is straight, sir, and we are riding to the north. Should we
not be making for the south?"

"Are you mad, boy? What do you mean?"

"Look, sir--the stars. That must be the Bear."

Leoni was silent for a few moments, breathing heavily the while, as they
rode steadily on.