he cried, turning to his
son, "be worthy of our name, my boy! No Zaidos has ever yet disgraced
it. I put my trust in you, and I know you will not fail me. To the
day she died, your mother planned great things for her baby boy. She--"

He fixed his eyes on space. A look of surprise and happiness lit his
face. Slowly he raised his arms as though in greeting, then sank back,
dead.

Zaidos, kneeling, buried his face in the pillow. So it was over, all
over! Someone raised him to his feet, as the nurse tenderly drew the
sheet over his father's face. He lifted it and with one last lingering
look replaced it gently, then left the room.

The clock struck three.

As he sank wearily in a chair, the old nurse entered. Her face was
stained with tears. She glanced about, then seized Zaidos by the arm.

"_Don't trust Velo!_" she whispered, and left his side. None too soon,
for Velo entered the room and with a gesture dismissed the old servant.

"Now, Zaidos," he said abruptly, "we will talk. You are _crazy_ to
carry such valuables around with you. After we have had breakfast, we
will decide where to keep those papers. I am the next in line, as you
know, and it is only just that I should know where they are in case you
should get in trouble."

Zaidos shook his head. "I shall keep the papers," he said. "Of course
you may remain here. I shall always look out for you. I shall not be
killed in this fighting; I feel it."

"So have other men," sneered Velo. "How did you get away?"

Zaidos told him.

"Do you mean that you could not get permission, and that you escaped
and came anyhow?" he asked, an evil gleam lighting his narrow eyes.

"That's about it," said Zaidos, nodding. "I must go back at once. The
doctor's car will take me close to the barracks. I must get there
before dawn." He went to the window and looked out. "I have no time
to waste!" he cried.

"But look here, if you are caught, it means desertion," said Velo.

"Yes!"

"In war-time that means death," said Velo.

"Yes, but I am not going to be caught," answered Zaidos.

"Then you must hurry," declared his cousin. "Wait here just a moment,
and I will see that the car is ready and get a cloak to cover you. I
almost fear you have waited too long, cousin," and hurried, from the
room with a last sidelong look at Zaidos' bent head.

Five minutes passed; then with a last look at his father's closed door,
Zaidos went down and found Velo sta