"Every inch, your majesty," replied the officer.

Barney looked at the man aghast.

"Well, I am not a king," he said at last, "and if you go to

arresting me and throwing me into one of your musty old dungeons

you will find that I am a whole lot more important than most kings.

I'm an American citizen."

"Yes, your majesty," replied the officer, a trifle impatiently. "But

we waste time in idle discussion. Will your majesty be so good as to

accompany me without resistance?"

"If you will first escort this young lady to a place of safety,"

replied Barney.

"She will be quite safe at Blentz," said the lieutenant.

Barney turned to look at the girl, a question in his eyes. Before

them stood the soldiers with drawn revolvers, and now at the summit

of the hill a dozen more appeared in command of a sergeant. They

were two against nearly a score, and Barney Custer was unarmed.

The girl shook her head.

"There, is no alternative, I am afraid, your majesty," she said.

Barney wheeled toward the officer.

"Very well, lieutenant," he said, "we will accompany you."

The party turned back up the hillside, leaving the dead bandit where

he lay--the fellow's neck had been broken by the fall. A short

distance from where the man had confronted them the two prisoners

were brought to the main road where they saw still other troopers,

and with them the horses of those who had gone into the forest on

foot.

Barney and the girl were mounted on two of the animals, the soldiers

who had ridden them clambering up behind two of their comrades. A

moment later the troop set out along the road which leads to Blentz.

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