The Argosy, March 27, 1920 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

ad THE GREAT him. He killed one and wounded the other; but was himself taken in charge by the watch, and imprisoned!” Sansito drew forth the jewelled ring, and was about to pass it to the king. “Your majesty is unaware,” the secre- tary began, “ that this ring was originally the property of the last Prince of Viana—”’ “No,” Ferdinand corrected, ‘ the jewel was my father’s. He gave it to me.” “Pardon, your majesty,”’ Sansito inter- posed, “ your father first received the ring as a gift from his son—the Prince of Viana, at the time when he liberated and conferred upon the prince the title of Lieutenant of the Realm.” Sit Thomas peered at the jewel which Sansito had placed upon the table. “ That ing was the property of Charles of Viana,” he corroborated. King Ferdinand crossed himself, and gazed with aversion at the one-time treas- ured trinket. “Twill never touch it again,” he declared. “ T think your majesty cam see everything now!” However, the count hastened to ex- plain: “ That ring was stolen for one who gave it to the pretended son of its original owner—suclz possession strengthened the youth’s claims—you see? And the one for whom. it was stolen is he who aspired to have his daughter called ‘ Princess of Viana —Queen of Navarre—Queen of Aragon.’ ”’ “Good God!” Sir Thomas gasped, and raised his. old hands to his turbid brain. “But why did the pretender sell the ring to you, Sansito?” King Ferdinand’s cold, slispicious Voice broke'the passionate silence, The count was ready for the question. ‘ Because,” he responded, ‘‘ the youth is not the ambitious one of the conspiracy, He was temporarily separated from the dr rector of the enterprise. He wanted money, and I offered a goodly sum! The fellow did not understand the full significance of the ring. Everything is not always explained to one’s tools.” Again that poisonous look was. darted at the old Englishman. “Sir Thomas Merton,” King Ferdinand drawled, ‘‘ until this: most serious matter is properly investigated, I must ask that you take the utmost care of yourself. The air outside the Alhambra I am sure would not DISCOVERY. 227 agree with either your health or that of your fair daughter.” Suddenly the old diplomat was aroused to action. ‘‘ Surely, you do not believe this pack of lies! You cannot! 1 do not see my way—all is a haze of deceptions and diabolic tamperings with the truth, T must think—” ‘ Exactly,” the king interrupted, ‘‘ that is just what IT wish vou to do. I suspect noth ing, Sir Thomas. The envoy. of England is above conspiring against the crown of Spain! I only ask that you be cautious until the matter is thoroughly sifted. I am certain that, with your valuable assistance, all can be unraveled. ‘ Now, will you leave us? I have much to discuss with my seeretary. And, remem- ber, the walls of the Alhambra, are a sure de- fense for you against everything, Avail yourself of their security—remain within!” There was nothing for the old man to. do but withdraw. He did so in angry bewild- erment, knowing full well that all King Fer- dinand’s courtesy meant nothing; he and Judith were as much prisoners as if they were in the deepest dungeons of the king- dem! ‘ The moment they were alone, the king demanded of Sansito: ‘“ How long have you known that there was a possible heir to Charles of Viana?” ‘Not until I discovered it from the lips of Sir Thomas Merton, at Dover, last month,” Sansito lied convincingly. ‘What does this boy know—what proofs has he—do you believe his tale?’ “Your majesty overwhelms me,” the count cried. “ The last question needs no answer. I believe nothing that would in any way harm you! But there is no test put upon my loyalty in this case; the boy knows nothing, has no tale to tell! He possesses a miniature of Eleanor of Durham upon which is seratehed ‘ your mother,’ He found this locket upon the neck of his dead father, a. cobbler of Dover. Sir Thomas Merton has dene the rest—” Ferdinand interrupted him. ‘‘ You are strangely revengeful upon that old man. Take care, or you will make me suspect that there is something yet to be revealed.” Sansito bowed low to hide his chagrin. comnliclooolkksS.cCOtn