fugitives, though not a sound was heard.

And so on till day broke and they made fast amongst the trees in the
most secluded place they came to, not daring to expose themselves where
they might be seen.

They had no trouble with the King, for, weak with his wound and half
stupefied by the drug Leoni had administered, he slept on hour after
hour through the pleasant morning and through the heat of noon, his
resting-place quite cool beneath the shadowing trees and with his brow
fanned by the soft summer breeze. He did not even stir when, kneeling
in the boat, Leoni moistened and drew off the bandages to dress his
wound, washing them in the stream and drying them in a patch where the
hot sun heated the bows of the boat, but still slept on as if restful
and comforted by the chirurgeon's skilful hands.

"Better or worse?" whispered Saint Simon, while the task was in
progress.

"Better, boy, and healing fast. He will sleep for hours yet, and waken
quite himself towards evening; but then," added the doctor, with a sigh,
"we have another difficulty to face, if we are not taken."

"Ah! What's that?" cried Saint Simon quickly, and Leoni smiled
sardonically, making his companion wince at the peculiar look in his
eyes.

"I was thinking, boy," he said, "of how you are going to spread the
white napkins and the silver cups for our master's banquet, for he will
be hungry, ravenous, after his long fast. You see, he may be displeased
to find the banquet cold."

Saint Simon stared at him with open eyes and mouth.

"Why, you are laughing at me," he said.

"Well, why not?" replied Leoni. "Surely, after all my slavery of brain,
when success shines down upon me I have a right to smile."

"Success!" cried Saint Simon bitterly. "Why, you have failed."

"Hah!" said Leoni, with a peculiar smile; and then after a short pause,
"Well, boy, what are we to do for food? This water is beautifully
limpid and clear to quench our thirst, but it will not appease hunger."

"I'll go ashore at the first hostelry we see, and buy what we want,"
replied Saint Simon.

"And expose us to fresh capture? No, boy; we have had enough of
hostelries. Every one within reach of the river will be searched. We
shall have to fast till we are far enough to venture ashore."

"And the King?" said Saint Simon.

Leoni looked at him curiously, and slowly placed his hand within his
breast to draw out the little golden flask, which he tapped with his
finge