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"And yet, Manuel," the American smiled half-quizzically, "yet we seem foreordained to play bodyguard to Karyl. Fate throws him on our hands." "We might decline in future to accept the charge." Benton halted so close to the water's edge that a bit of sea-weed was washed up close to his feet. "Any threat to the throne of Galavia now is also a threat to Her.
Now, if His Majesty and the Queen should fail to return from their journeyings, your position would be stronger." Louis sank into a chair, deeply agitated. "I fear this man Von Ritz more deeply than Karyl." "Naturally," was Jusseret's dry comment. "But Your Majesty will leave Von Ritz alone. I also, should like to see him disposed of but leave him alone, or you will incur Europe's displeasure."
Whenever there was need, Karyl had come to know that there would be Von Ritz, but also there went with him an austerity and an impersonality that robbed him of the gratitude and love he might have claimed. Now there was a note almost surly in the expression with which the Prince looked up to greet his father's confidential representative. "Well?" he demanded.
But you will agree with me that they" with a gesture toward the direction from which they had come "had best know nothing." Benton and Von Ritz went to the gangway, where the yachtsman bent forward to give some direction to the boat crew below. "Karyl!" The girl moved impulsively toward the man she must marry, and laid a hand on his arm.
"Tell Von Ritz or Karyl that Lapas is a traitor and a prisoner in the observatory; that Louis is at his lodge and that the Countess Astaride is a conspirator in a plot to assassinate the King. Tell them that a percussion cap and key connect the magazines of do Freres with the city." The Princess looked at him with eyes that slowly widened in amazed comprehension. "I understand," she whispered.
If my etiquette proves faulty, you must score it against my ignorance not my intention." "I sent for you," said Karyl slowly, as the eyes of the two men met in full directness, "and you were good enough to come. I am a crowned head yes that is my damned ill-fortune. Let us, for God's sake, in so far as we may, forget that!
I happen to work for the other chap, King Louis." As an afterthought he added: "And the other chap thinks that you are, to put it quite civilly, unnecessary." He smoked meditatively, while Karyl, without reply, scowled up into his face. The sense of futility left Pagratide silent. He lay insanely furious like a trapped wolf, able only to glare.
"Over this wall, any comparatively agile man might make his way to the beach, if he succeeded in passing the muskets of the sentry-boxes and there are boats at the water's edge," explained the soldier with a short laugh. "I am responsible for the guard, so I keep this post myself. I believe myself incorruptible and men with thrones at stake might make tempting offers." Karyl smiled.
Karyl had held out his left hand. The right was bound down in a sling. But these things were all vague to Benton because it seemed that the pilgrim's tom-toms were beating inside his brain, and beating out of time. He could see that Karyl's eyes also were weary and lusterless. Turning with an excuse for travel-stain to be removed, Karyl halted. "Benton," he said. There he fell silent.
I must obey the decrees of State!" She paused, then impulsively swept on: "I can force myself to do what I must do, but I cannot compel my heart that is his, utterly his." She raised both hands. "Now you know," she said. "You may decide." Karyl inclined his head. "I have questioned nothing," he repeated. "Will you honor me by returning in my car?" Cara tilted her chin rebelliously.
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