"But it is Her Highness, Princess Emma, sire," came a voice from

beyond the door. "You summoned her."

"She may return to her apartments," replied Barney.

All the time he kept his revolver leveled at the king, from his eyes

he had removed the blind after they had entered the apartment. He

crossed to the table where the king had been sitting when he

surprised him, motioning the ragged ruler to follow and be seated.

"Take that pen," he said, "and write a full pardon for Mr. Bernard

Custer, and an order requiring that he be furnished with money and

set at liberty at dawn."

The king did as he was bid. For a moment the American stood looking

at him before he spoke again.

"You do not deserve what I am going to do for you," he said. "And

Lutha deserves a better king than the one my act will give her; but

I am neither a thief nor a murderer, and so I must forbear leaving

you to your just deserts and return your throne to you. I shall do

so after I have insured my own safety and done what I can for

Lutha--what you are too little a man and king to do yourself.

"So soon as they liberate you in the morning, make the best of your

way to Brosnov, on the Serbian frontier. Await me there. When I can,

I shall come. Again we may exchange clothing and you can return to

Lustadt. I shall cross over into Siberia out of your reach, for I

know you too well to believe that any sense of honor or gratitude

would prevent you signing my death-warrant at the first opportunity.

Now, come!"

Once again Barney led the blindfolded king through the dark corridor

to the room in the opposite tower--to the prison of the American. At

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