gain. I'm very well satisfied
with Salissa as a place of residence. I feel I might live a long time
on Salissa. Come to think of it, there's no reason why any one should
ever die here. It's worry and annoyance preying on the human heart,
which kill men."

A boat put off from the steamer's side as Donovan spoke. It rowed
towards the palace steps. King Konrad Karl sat in the stern.

"Gorman," said Donovan, "it will prolong my days if you go down and
meet that king. Make it plain to him that it's no kind of use his
trying to talk me round, because I'm not going to listen to him. He's
welcome to stay in the palace as long as he likes. But he's not to
worry me. If he seems any way determined on talking business, you
quote the certificate of that doc."

CHAPTER XX

King Konrad Karl took Gorman's hand and wrung it heartily.

"My friend Gorman," he said. "How are you? But I need not ask. I see.
You are top-tipping."

"Thanks," said Gorman. "Salissa agrees with me. And Paris does not
seem to have done you any harm."

"Paris! Ah, in Paris one lives, and I am in the pink. But, alas and
damn, I leave Paris. I take trains. I travel fast. I embark." He waved
his hand towards the steamer. "Finally, I arrive."

"How did you come to embark in that curious-looking ship? I never saw
a steamer like her before."

"That," said the King, "is the navy of Megalia. I come as a King, in a
state."

"I rather wonder that you trusted yourself to that navy," said Gorman.
"After what you told me about the fate of the late king. It was that
same steamer, I suppose, which brought the Prime Minister and the rest
of them out here to cut your predecessor's throat."

"Otto? Yes. It was the navy. You are right. They killed poor Otto. No
doubt they would jump up to the chance to kill me too. But just now
they cannot, and I am safe as a bank in England. The Emperor----"

"Ah," said Gorman, "I thought we'd get to the Emperor soon."

"The Emperor said, 'Carry the King to Salissa in the navy of Megalia.'
That is all, but that is enough. No, my friend, they will not kill me
now. Afterwards perhaps. But afterwards I shall not be here. I shall
return to Paris."

"I wonder you ever left Paris," said Gorman, "but I suppose that was
the Emperor too."

"You are right. You hit it the first time you shoot. The Emperor sends
to me Steinwitz--a cursed pig--a cur dog with mange on him--an
outsider from the ranks, that is, I think you say a rank ou