The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

224 THE ARGOSY. warm, wide rim of the great copper and brass brazier beneath the table at which he was sitting. “T wanted to speak first with you,” Fer- dinand drawled. “ You have always advised on these English matters more or less to my satisfaction.” Sansito, feeling apprehensive of this smooth beginning, smiled and bowed. The king looked a trifle surprised by this nervousness of his secretary. ‘‘ What is it all about?” he inquired. “T do not know,” Sansito soothed, ‘‘ but T will soon learn. He is without. I saw—” While speaking, the count had started toward the outer door, but the king cried: “That will not do. I must see the old fool, England mist be treated with respect. I have held off, perhaps, too long, but other things were more pressing—Catherine is a baby still, and—” he paused and looked searchingly at Sansito, “There is nothing you can tell me to ilumine my way in this interview?” his majesty astutely demanded. The secretary grew uncomfortable be- neath the scrutiny of those clear eyes. Much was going on in his brain. First, he was wondering what the king suspected, And next, what ailed the English envoy. He knew that Sir Thomas had a right to be impatient. He had promised to support him in this marriage business, and had done what he could, but Kimg Ferdinand was slow and cautious. After the official recep- tion of the envoy no progress had been Taade. Could it be possible that Sir Thomas had learned of the attack upon Arthur, and construing this in the light of the king’s indifference, decided that the secretary had played false? Was the old man about to reveal everything to King Ferdinand? No —no, that was impossible, Sansito vehem- ently told himself, But, all the same, this was very close to the truth. For the trusty Tanner, dis- cavering about the fight, had reported to his master. The account of this cowardly onslaught had roused the ire of the old Englishman to a great heat. His sense of justice was so outraged that he forgot all diplomacy; the necessity for immediately employing every possible means to preserve Arthur, had urged him to apply at the king’s door at dawn. A change in regard to the young sailor had been growing upon Sir Thomas these last weeks; after closely observing Judith, and talking repeatedly and earnestly with her, he had been forced to understand that his daughter’s .future happmess was irre- vocably intertwined with the life of Arthur Lake. : As the Count of Sansito femained pen- sively unresponsive, the icy voice of King Ferdinand broke through the troubled si- lence: ‘Call in the English envoy!” he commanded. “I will talk with hirh first,” the count announced with dignified assurance. ‘TI might save your majesty—” He got no further. ‘‘ Do as you are bid,” the royal master snapped. Within a few minutes Sir Thomas Merton entered, the chamber. Without acknowledging the bow of San- sito, whose presence at this interview both surprised and annoyed him, the old English- man almost ran to King Ferdinand and threw himself on his knees before the sovereign. When commanded to arise, Sir Thomas cried: ‘IT come to your majesty as a sup- pliant, in the name of justice and humanity, To ‘What have you to say, old man? Rise and speak.” Ferdinand was, as usual, cour- teous, cold, observant and superlatively regal, . “ Last night,” Sir Thomas began as he arose, “a young man was set ubon by servants of his!” He pointed angrily at the secretary. The king did not even look interested, although he had noted that Sansito changed color. . Their intent was murderous!” Sir Thomas announced witheringly, ‘ The youth routed them—God be thanked! But he is now in prison. I pray your majesty to protect him.’ The king did not reply, but looked in- quiringly at Sansito, who also remained silent, although a cruel smile threatened to appear upon his face. “ wi i oo i it = "Ww > CT ee isin _— Comicbookstcomm