The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 73: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

«- ee _ OO —— ea as THE GREAT “find out everything you can. Then find him. Tf you do not bring him here—well.”” The Spaniard extended his open hands with a graphic gesture. ‘“ Do you understand?” ee Yes.” For a few moments Sansito gloated over the abject misery of his doctor. Cruelty shone in the count’s eyes, and the fire of fanatical religious zeal seared his heart. No one better than he appreciated that this cringing creature was a rich and talented man, forced by necessity to call him master. When the Count of Sansito’s hideous passion was satiated, he turned on his heel, hastening to obey the summons of the king. CHAPTER XVI. SANSITO ENTRAPPED, Wwrt can King Ferdinand want at this ungodly hour?” the secretary muttered as he dismounted at the gate of the Alhambra. He dismissed all but two of his attendants and walked haughtily past the saluting guard. Although it was late July, the morning air was chill here on the hilltop, and the count drew his light cloak more closely about him. The beautiful palace was be- fore him, and he was thinking regretfully how it might have been his if the queen had not overcome her fear that witchcrait lurked in its painted stones. For at first the pious Isabella had been repelled by the regal abode of the van- quished Moors. Now she had become reconciled to the heathenish beauty of its colorful bejeweled halls; and, in this Orien- tal dream-palace of many courts, sculptured fountains, vistaed pools and lovely gardens, the most magnificent sovereigns of Christen- dom held sway. The Count of Sansito traversed various beautiful apartments, encountering few ex- cept the sentinels, until he arrived at the royal antecourt. Here was the usual crowd. He spoke gravely to some, flippantly to others, and ignored the deep bows of still more. Hastening to the door of the inner room, where their majesties held state, he opened it and entered unannounced, exercising a DISCOVERY, 223 privilege the ceremonious sovereigns allowed to few. At the far end of this beautifully carved and painted apartment, which was further embellished by rich tapestry hangings, sat the sole occupant of the room—King Ferdi- nand of Aragon, His great chair was upon a slightly raised platform, a long table before him and, im- mediately by his side, an empty chair, intended for his wife, the Queen of Castile. Over all was draped a magnificent ruby- velvet canopy, which bore the golden arms of the united kingdoms. The king was superbly dressed in maroon and red-brown with slashings of pale blue. He was rather a handsome man, and de- cidedly kingly in appearance. His abun- dant fair hair was bobbed square, except for a curved line that ran from the straight bangs on the temple to below the ear, and his strong-featured face was beardless. The cold, calculating eyes looked up Sharply at the intrusion, but his majesty spoke very deliberately: “You are late. I have waited long,” He pushed the shining, straight hair back from his shrewd, somewhat sensual face, and then placing his beautiful hands on the table gazed proudly upon them. “How can I serve your majesty?” San- sito placated. “ By telling me why, and for what, that old fossil from the barbarian king keeps annoying me?” The courtier smiled. “By which you mean Sir Thomas Merton, envoy from the King of England?” Ferdinand sniffed luxuriously as with sar- casm he remarked: “ Brilliantly guessed. Now, what does he want; tell me that?” “As your majesty knows, it is about this marriage of your daughter, Dona Catherine, and the Prince—” Ferdinand interrupted: “It’s more! I've been pestered for an interview about that for days. But this is something new. He clamored a! dawn to-day for immediate audience,” The secretary, filled with vague alarm, cried: “ Have you seen him?” “No,” the king replied, and shifted his velvet-shod feet to another place on the cComicbookssacom