trying to hide it from the soldiers.

"Go away, please!" she called to them. "Leave me with my dead king.

You are Peter's men. You do not care for Leopold, living or dead. Go

back to your new king and tell him that this poor young man can

never more stand between him and the throne."

The officer hesitated.

"We shall have to take the king's body with us, your highness," he

said.

The officer evidently becoming suspicious, came closer, and as he

did so Barney Custer sat up.

"Go away!" cried the girl, for she saw that the king was attempting

to speak. "My father's people will carry Leopold of Lutha in state

to the capital of his kingdom."

"What's all this row about?" he asked. "Can't you let a dead king

alone if the young lady asks you to? What kind of a short sport are

you, anyway? Run along, now, and tie yourself outside."

The officer smiled, a trifle maliciously perhaps.

"Ah," he said, "I am very glad indeed that you are not dead, your

majesty."

Barney Custer turned his incredulous eyes upon the lieutenant.

"Et tu, Brute?" he cried in anguished accents, letting his head fall

back into the girl's lap. He found it very comfortable there indeed.

The officer smiled and shook his head. Then he tapped his forehead

meaningly.

"I did not know," he said to the girl, "that he was so bad. But

come--it is some distance to Blentz, and the afternoon is already

well spent. Your highness will accompany us."

"I?" cried the girl. "You certainly cannot be serious."

"And why not, your highness?" asked the officer. "We had strict

orders to arrest not only the king, but any companions who may have

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