ead of the
south staircase--if they are not asleep."

In his excitement the King drew his sword and led the way to where the
two officers were on duty, ready to challenge and answer frankly that
only one person had passed there, and that the young esquire in the
Comte de la Seine's suite.

"Bah! We are on the wrong track," said the King angrily. "They would
not come this way. That boy was probably sent to take the guards'
attention while the deed was done. Come back, Hurst; this way. You men
arrest anybody who tries to pass you, no matter who it may be. Now,
Hurst, quick, for the game is afoot and we must run it down."

He hurriedly led the way back along the gallery, past the broken cabinet
without giving it a moment's concern, and when nearing the private
corridor the King stopped short, to clutch his follower by the breast
with his left hand.

"Hurst," he whispered hoarsely, the deep tones of his voice betraying
the rage burning in his breast--"Hurst, have we been betrayed?"

"Surely not, your Majesty. Your people are too loyal for that."

"But the French are very cunning, man, and gold, even if it is foreign,
will sometimes work its way."

"Your Majesty speaks in riddles," said the chamberlain nervously, for
his master still clutched him by the breast, and the sword was trembling
in his hand as if he were about to use it upon a prisoner he had taken
himself.

"Riddles!" cried the King. "When we are searching for that vile culprit
whom I believed to be still in the place, and who has not passed the
guards at either end of these galleries? That boy Carrbroke: he told us
that no one had passed by him."

"Yes, your Majesty; but still I do not understand your drift."

"Man, have you no brains to think? Is there not another way from here?"

"Hah!" cried the chamberlain in a hoarse whisper. "The secret passage!"

"Yes," said the King, in a low, deep voice. "Some one--if they have not
watched and discovered for themselves--must have betrayed its existence,
known only to me and you. But maybe it has acted like a trap--the outer
door is locked, and a stranger would not be likely to find the key."

"Oh," whispered the chamberlain, "it is possible, Sire. I will call the
guard."

"No," said the King, with an angry hiss in his voice. "You can use your
sword, Hurst?"

"In your Majesty's service at any time," replied the chamberlain.

"And I am not a child with mine," said the King. "Hurst, man, y