Part 44 (2/2)

”I had forgotten your present occupation,” said Truxton quietly. ”Pray pardon the embarra.s.sment I may have caused you. After all, I think Hobbs will do. He knows the country like a book. Besides, his business in the city must be very dull just now. He'll be glad to have the chance to personally conduct me for a few days. As an American tourist, I must insist, gentlemen, on being personally conducted by a man from Cook's.”

They did not know whether to laugh or to treat it as a serious announcement.

Mr. Hobbs came. That is to say, he was produced. It is doubtful if Mr.

Hobbs ever fully recovered from the malady commonly known as stage fright. He had never been called Mr. Hobbs by a Prime Minister before, nor had he ever been asked in person by a Minister of War if he had a family at home. Moreover, no a.s.semblage of n.o.blemen had ever condescended to unite in three cheers for him. Afterward Truxton King was obliged to tell him that he had unwaveringly volunteered to accompany him on the perilous trip to the hills. Be sure of it, Mr.

Hobbs was not in a mental condition for many hours to even remotely comprehend what had taken place. He only knew that he had been invited, as an English _gentleman_, to partic.i.p.ate in a council of war.

But Mr. Hobbs was not the kind to falter, once he had given his word; however hazy he may have been at the moment, he knew that he had volunteered to do something. Nor did it seem to surprise him when he finally found out what it was.

”We'll be off at midnight, Hobbs,” said Truxton, feeling in his pocket for the missing watch.

”As you say, Mr. King, just as you say,” said Hobbs with fine indifference.

As Truxton was leaving the Castle ten minutes later, Hobbs having gone before to see to the packing of food-bags and the filling of flasks, a brisk, eager-faced young attendant hurried up to him.

”I bear a message from his Royal Highness,” said the attendant, detaining him.

”He should be sound asleep at this time,” said Truxton, surprised.

”His Royal Highness insists on staying awake as long as possible, sir.

It is far past his bedtime, but these are troublesome times, he says.

Every man should do his part. Prince Robin has asked for you, sir.”

”How's that?”

”He desires you to appear before him at once, sir.”

”In--in the audience chamber?”

”In his bedchamber, sir. He is very sleepy, but says that you are to come to him before starting away on your mission of danger.”

”Plucky little beggar!” cried Truxton, his heart swelling with love for the royal youngster.

”Sir!” exclaimed the attendant, his eyes wide with amazement and reproof.

”I'll see him,” said the other promptly, as if he were granting the audience.

He followed the perplexed attendant up the grand staircase, across thickly carpeted halls in which posed statuesque soldiers of the Royal Guard, to the door of the Prince's bedchamber. Here he was confronted by Count Vos Engo.

”Enter,” said Vos Engo, with very poor grace, standing aside. The sentinels grounded their arms and Truxton King pa.s.sed into the royal chamber, alone.

CHAPTER XX

BY THE WATER-GATE

It was a vast, lofty apartment, regal in its subdued lights. An enormous, golden bed with gorgeous hangings stood far down the room. So huge was this royal couch that Truxton at first overlooked the figure sitting bolt upright in the middle of it. The tiny occupant called out in a very sleepy voice:

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