he man I would choose, if I may be permitted the
honour of naming my companion," said Truxton, grinning inwardly with a
malicious joy.

Vos Engo turned a yellowish green. His eyes bulged.

"I--I am in command of the person of his Royal Highness," he stammered,
suddenly going very red.

"I had forgotten your present occupation," said Truxton quietly. "Pray
pardon the embarrassment I may have caused you. After all, I think Hobbs
will do. He knows the country like a book. Besides, his business in the
city must be very dull just now. He'll be glad to have the chance to
personally conduct me for a few days. As an American tourist, I must
insist, gentlemen, on being personally conducted by a man from Cook's."

They did not know whether to laugh or to treat it as a serious
announcement.

Mr. Hobbs came. That is to say, he was produced. It is doubtful if Mr.
Hobbs ever fully recovered from the malady commonly known as stage
fright. He had never been called Mr. Hobbs by a Prime Minister before,
nor had he ever been asked in person by a Minister of War if he had a
family at home. Moreover, no assemblage of noblemen had ever
condescended to unite in three cheers for him. Afterward Truxton King
was obliged to tell him that he had unwaveringly volunteered to
accompany him on the perilous trip to the hills. Be sure of it, Mr.
Hobbs was not in a mental condition for many hours to even remotely
comprehend what had taken place. He only knew that he had been invited,
as an English _gentleman_, to participate in a council of war.

But Mr. Hobbs was not the kind to falter, once he had given his word;
however hazy he may have been at the moment, he knew that he had
volunteered to do something. Nor did it seem to surprise him when he
finally found out what it was.

"We'll be off at midnight, Hobbs," said Truxton, feeling in his pocket
for the missing watch.

"As you say, Mr. King, just as you say," said Hobbs with fine
indifference.

As Truxton was leaving the Castle ten minutes later, Hobbs having gone
before to see to the packing of food-bags and the filling of flasks, a
brisk, eager-faced young attendant hurried up to him.

"I bear a message from his Royal Highness," said the attendant,
detaining him.

"He should be sound asleep at this time," said Truxton, surprised.

"His Royal Highness insists on staying awake as long as possible, sir.
It is far past his bedtime, but these are troublesome times, he says.
Every man shoul