soup is too good for that," and
he began to partake again. "Here, Denis, lad, on second thoughts it
must mean that we are being recognised. The islanders know who I am,
and that pleasant-faced woman wishes to give us warning. Saint Simon,
my lad, fetch our sword and hang it by the belt upon the corner of the
chair. Do the same by your own. I am not going to leave this soup, and
if we are to fight for what is evidently intended for an excellent
dinner, why, fight we will."

Saint Simon obeyed, and then at a sign from the King re-took his place
and went on eating with such appetite as he could command.

"Shall I stand on guard by the door, sir, till you have dined?" said
Denis.

"No, boy. Eat your soup and what else comes. We shall all three fight
the better for a meal."

CHAPTER NINE.

THE SCENT OF DANGER.

It was hard to imagine that there was danger in the air, for in that
comfortably furnished panelled room everything was suggestive of plenty
and peace, and, noticing as he went on with his meal how impressed his
two followers seemed to be, the King paused, spoon in hand, and cried
with a laugh:

"Come, boys, where are your appetites? Are we to be scared with a scrap
of paper, a Latin exercise, perhaps, written by our hostess's son?"

As he spoke there was a faint rasping sound as of wood passing over
wood, making Denis turn sharply and put out his hand towards his sword,
for it seemed to him that there was a tremulous motion in one of the
panels of the wall behind where the King was seated.

"What's that?" cried the latter sharply, as with a bound the lad sprang
past him to stand between him and the side of the room.

For answer Denis drew his sword and pointed to the panel.

"Well? Why don't you speak?"

"There is a door there, sir, and I saw it move."

"There is no door here," cried Saint Simon, as he felt about the panel,
which was perfectly rigid; and just then the hostess entered, followed
by the maids bearing fresh dishes, to look wonderingly from one to the
other.

"Ah, mistress!" cried the King. "Is there a door there? Does one of
those panels open?"

"Oh yes, my lord," she replied. "It is a hatch to pass dishes through
into a smaller dining chamber." And she smilingly stepped to the wall,
turned a carved rose at one corner of the panel, and pressed it
sidewise, showing a square opening through which a similarly furnished
room could be seen.

"Send away those women," said