the thick hide over the straining
muscles fell the goad, and thus the car lurched through the deep snow, all
of us following except Ropes, who having poured melted snow into the
radiator, and let the cooling stream flow through the waterpipes, was
bringing on the Gloria slowly, by her own power. She had now but two
passengers, and not half as much luggage as the Lecomte, which perhaps
explained her prowess; nevertheless I was proud. "Brava, Gloria!" I should
have liked to shout.

I could now have pushed ahead, and keeping pace with Carmona's car, as the
oxen struggled nobly up the pass, have tried for a word or two with
Monica. But perhaps Lady Vale-Avon expected such a move on the part of the
troublesome young officer; and by way of precaution she had crowded near
to the girl in the tonneau. A conversation worth having would have been
hopeless thus spied upon, and I disappointed the chaperon by making no
such attempt.

To my surprise, Carmona walked with us, instead of forging on beside his
own car. His friendliness puzzled me. Each look directed at my face was
sharp as a gimlet, though his words were genial; but the final shock came
when he announced that he was bound for the Escurial, and asked if we
would like to join his party.

"I know the palace like a book--better than I know most books," said he;
"and if you've never been, I can get you into places not usually shown."

The Cherub thanked Heaven that he had never been; and far would it be from
him to go to-day or any other day. He had beheld the Escurial from
outside, and had been depressed to the verge of tears. Often since he had
consoled himself for various misfortunes by reflecting that, at worst, he
was not enduring them at the Escurial. But he would sit in the automobile
and compose himself to doze while his dear children and friends were
martyred in the Monastery.

"You're very good to personally conduct us," Dick answered the Duke, "but
we've no time for the Escurial."

"It will be worth while to make time," I hurried to break in, though Dick
glared a warning which said, "You silly ass, don't you see the man's
laying a trap, and you're falling into it?"

I was ready to risk that trap, and realizing that I meant to see the thing
through, Dick urged no further objections.

XVI

A SECRET OF THE KING'S

Pilar said that the oxen were idiotic dears to break their hearts for
nothing, not even a percenta