ng was reached,
where Francis was standing at the head of the flight of steps.

Leoni pressed past him and began to descend, holding his master once
more by the hand, which he dropped as soon as they were at the foot, and
then passed on rapidly with his pulses throbbing and in a state of
ungovernable excitement such as he had not felt since the commencement
of the adventure.

But this was of short duration. Schooled now by previous experience,
Leoni ran his hand along close to the angle at the top of the wall upon
his left, expecting moment by moment that it would come in contact with
the ledge. He was quite right. It did, and glided into the niche, when
a chill seized upon his heart and made it cease its heavy beat.

The niche was empty!

By the King's orders the outer door must have been locked, and they were
prisoners as fast as ever, unless some other scheme could be devised.

For a few brief moments Leoni gave way to despair. Then with an angry
ejaculation he pressed on with extended hands, covered the few yards
more that had to be passed before the door was reached, touched it, and
swept his hands towards the lock, and once more no longer in full
command of his faculties, he uttered a faint cry of joy.

The key was in the lock.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

KING DENIS REFUSES.

Denis's heart beat wildly for a few moments, as he asked himself should
he be asleep or waking; but the heavy beating calmed down at once as he
heard the King's slow footsteps in the outer room, and then the question
in the now well-known voice:

"No attendants?"

"No, Sire. I presume he is asleep."

"Then I must awake him," said the King sternly; "but my business is with
him alone. Go, and retire the guards. I will summon you when I have
done."

"But, your Majesty--"

"Silence! Can I not defend myself were it necessary against a wounded
man? Go, and at once!"

The chamberlain, whose voice Denis had recognised at once, retired in
silence.

There was the trampling of the guards, the closing of the outer door,
and then as Denis lay listening all was still, while he began counting
the slow heavy beating of his heart.

"What will follow now?" he asked himself.

He knew at once, for there was a slight cough, a heavy step, and the
King strode through the dividing door into the chamber, stopped as if
looking round for a moment, and then stepped round to the side of the
great canopied bed, drew forward a chair, and se