sharp challenge.

"The king!" exclaimed the officer. "You have found him?" and he

advanced with raised lantern searching for the monarch.

"At last," whispered Barney to the girl at his side, "I shall be

vindicated. This man, at least, who is stationed at Blentz must

know his king by sight."

The officer came quite close, holding his lantern until the

rays fell full in Barney's face. He scrutinized the young man

for a moment. There was neither humility nor respect in his

manner, so that the American was sure that the fellow had

discovered the imposture.

From the bottom of his heart he hoped so. Then the officer

swung the lantern until its light shone upon the girl.

"And who's the wench with him?" he asked the officer who

had found them.

The man was standing close beside Barney's horse, and the words were

scarce out of his month when the American slipped from his saddle to

the portcullis and struck the officer full in the face.

"She is the Princess von der Tann, you boor," said Barney, "and let

that help you remember it in future."

The officer scrambled to his feet, white with rage. Whipping out

his sword he rushed at Barney.

"You shall die for that, you half-wit," he cried.

Lieutenant Butzow, he of the Royal Horse, rushed forward to prevent

the assault and Emma von der Tann sprang from her saddle and threw

herself in front of Barney.

Butzow grasped the other officer's arm.

"Are you mad, Schonau?" he cried. "Would you kill the king?"

The fellow tugged to escape the grasp of Butzow. He was crazed with

anger.

"Why not?" he bellowed. "You were a fool not to have done it

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