nd for men of your stamp it will be enough to
know that you are conferring a considerable favour."

"Your Highness," said the Major, "must pardon my bluntness. I am unable
to hide what I know. For some time back I have suspected Major
Hammersmith, but Mr. Godall is unmistakable. To seek two men in London
unacquainted with Prince Florizel of Bohemia was to ask too much at
Fortune's hands."

"Prince Florizel!" cried Brackenbury in amazement.

And he gazed with the deepest interest on the features of the celebrated
personage before him.

"I shall not lament the loss of my incognito," remarked the Prince, "for
it enables me to thank you with the more authority. You would have done
as much for Mr. Godall, I feel sure, as for the Prince of Bohemia; but
the latter can perhaps do more for you. The gain is mine," he added,
with a courteous gesture.

And the next moment he was conversing with the two officers about the
Indian army and the native troops, a subject on which, as on all others,
he had a remarkable fund of information and the soundest views.

There was something so striking in this man's attitude at a moment of
deadly peril that Brackenbury was overcome with respectful admiration;
nor was he less sensible to the charm of his conversation or the
surprising amenity of his address. Every gesture, every intonation, was
not only noble in itself, but seemed to ennoble the fortunate mortal for
whom it was intended; and Brackenbury confessed to himself with
enthusiasm that this was a sovereign for whom a brave man might
thankfully lay down his life.

Many minutes had thus passed, when the person who had introduced them
into the house, and who had sat ever since in a corner, and with his
watch in his hand, arose and whispered a word into the Prince's ear.

"It is well, Dr. Noel," replied Florizel aloud; and then addressing the
others, "You will excuse me, gentlemen," he added, "if I have to leave
you in the dark. The moment now approaches."

Dr. Noel extinguished the lamp. A faint, grey light, premonitory of the
dawn, illuminated the window, but was not sufficient to illuminate the
room; and when the Prince rose to his feet, it was impossible to
distinguish his features or to make a guess at the nature of the emotion
which obviously affected him as he spoke. He moved towards the door, and
placed himself at one side of it in an attitude of the wariest
attention.

"You will have the kindness," he said, "to maintain t