e
any luck till you come back. Tell Mr. Hobbs I'm thinking of making him a
count. You're awful brave, Mr. King."

"Thank you, Prince Robin. May I--" he glanced uneasily at the distant
nurse--"may I ask how your Aunt Loraine is feeling?"

"She acted very funny when I sent for you. I'm worried about her."

"What did she do, your Highness?"

"She rushed off to her room. I think, Mr. King, she was getting ready to
cry or something. You see, she's in trouble."

"In trouble?"

"Yes. I can't tell you about it."

"She's worried about her brother, of course--and you."

"I just wish I could tell you--no, I won't. It wouldn't be fair," Bobby
said, checking himself resolutely. "She's awful proud of you. I'm sure
she likes you, Mr. King."

"I'm very, very glad to hear that."

Bobby had great difficulty in keeping his most secret impressions to
himself. In fact, he floundered painfully in an attack on diplomacy.

"You should have seen her when Uncle Caspar came in to say you were
going off to find her brother. She cried. Yes, sir, she did. She kissed
me and--but you don't like to hear silly things about girls, do you?
Great big men never do."

"I've heard enough to make me want to do something very silly myself,"
said Truxton, radiant. "I--I don't suppose I could--er--see your Aunt
Loraine for a few minutes?"

"I think not. She said she just--now, you mustn't mind her, Mr.
King--she just couldn't bear it, that's all. She told me to say she'd
pray for you and--Oh, Mr. King, I do hope she won't marry that other
man!"

Truxton bent his knee. "Your Highness, as it seems I am not to see her,
and as you seem to be the very best friend I have, I should very much
like to ask a great favour of you. Will you take this old ring of mine
and wish it on her finger just as soon as I have left your presence?"

"How did you know she was coming in again?" in wide-eyed wonder. "Excuse
me. I shouldn't ask questions. What shall I wish?" It was the old ring
that had come from Spantz's shop. The Prince promptly hid it beneath the
pillow.

"I'll leave that to you, my best of friends."

"I bet it'll be a good wish, all right. I know what to wish."

"I believe you do. Would you mind giving her something else from me?" He
hesitated before venturing the second request. Then, overswept by a
warm, sweet impulse, he stepped forward, took the boy's face between his
eager hands, and pressed a kiss upon his forehead. "Give her that for
me, wil