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-or what?" "I am King of the Pipes," whispered the old man. "You don't know what that means," he added, scanning her puzzled face. "No. And that's the secret. You cannot be told." "Oh," murmured Ruth, somewhat amused, yet pitying his evident mental state. "Hush!" he said again. "You are in danger. Go away from this place at once, and don't come here again. If my courtiers see you--Ha! Off with her head! I shall have to follow the kingly custom. It is not my fault," he added, in the same low tone, shaking his head mournfully. "We kings have to lead our lives, you know." "It must be a dreadful life, if you have to order people's heads cut off when they have done you no harm," Ruth ventured. "But my people would not believe that you would do no harm," he explained. "I can see that you are quite harmless. But they have not the intelligence I possess. You understand?" "Quite," said Ruth. "And I will go right away. Thank you for your kindness." "That is right, young woman. Go away. And do not return. It is not safe here." "Can't--can't I do anything for you?" "Hush!" warned the old man. "No, I do not think you can. I do not care to divide my power with any consort. And, unless you are of noble blood I could not make you Queen of the Pipes. That would never do. Such a mesalliance would never do. My people would never stand for it--oh, never!" "I quite understand that," said Ruth, having difficulty to keep from smiling. "Now go, young woman," the man said pompously. "And do not return." "I will obey you," said Ruth soberly. "If you are sure I cannot help you." "Hush!" he warned her again, waving his hand. "They are likely to come at any moment. And then--" The girl backed through the bushes and stepped upon the table-like rock. She would have bade him good-bye, but he hissed after her another sibilant "hush!" and disappeared as mysteriously as he had come. Ruth descended to the canoe and waited until they were well away from the island before she said a word to the other girls about the queer old man. CHAPTER IX A FILM MYSTERY "I told you there were pirates there," Helen declared that evening, when she and Ruth were in the room they shared together. Wonota slept in a room adjoining and had already retired. "I don't think that poor old man was a pirate," returned Ruth, smiling a little. "Didn't he tell you he was 'king of the pirates'?" demanded Helen. Ruth laughed outr
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