ers with
him. And when he was ill--" Barrat nodded his head significantly.
"You remember."

"That will do," said the King. "We have no time to consider the finer
feelings of the jackal; he is to be sacrificed, and that is all there
is of it. The presence of the child may make him more unmanageable,
but it will certainly make it easier for me. So go, bring the boy here
as I bid you."

Barrat left the room and returned immediately, followed by the Crown
Prince and his nurse. The Prince was a dark, handsome little fellow of
four years. His mother had died when he was born, and he had never
played with children of his own age, and his face was absurdly wise and
wistful; but it lighted with a sweet and grateful smile when anyone
showed him kindness or sought to arouse his interest. To the Crown
Prince Kalonay was an awful and wonderful being. He was the one person
who could make him laugh out of pure happiness and for no reason, as a
child should laugh. And people who had seen them together asked which
of the princes was the older of the two. When the child entered the
room, clinging to Barrat's finger, he carried in his other hand a
wooden spade and bucket, still damp with sand, and he was dressed in a
shabby blue sailor suit which left his little legs bare, and exposed
the scratches and bruises of many falls. A few moments later, when the
conspirators entered the King's salon, preceded by Erhaupt, they found
the boy standing by his father's knee. The King had his hand upon the
child's head, and had been interrupted apparently in a discourse on the
dignity of kingship, for the royal crown of Messina had been brought
out and stood beside him on the table, and his other hand rested on it
reverently. It was an effective tableau, and the visitors observed it
with varying emotions, but with silence.

The King rose, taking his son's hand in his, and bowed, looking
inquiringly from Barrat to the Prince Kalonay.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked. "Was it
discreet of you to come together in this way? But you are most
welcome. Place chairs for the ladies, Barrat."

Kalonay glanced at the others, and they nodded to him as though to make
him their spokesman. He pointed at Gordon with his cap.

"We are here on the invitation of this gentleman, your Majesty," he
said. "He took it upon himself to send after those of us who had gone
into the country, and came in person for the others who rema