eir alarm, "I come not to summon
you to death, but to ask you, doctor, to come and see the Queen--she is
ill."

"Oh! massa, pison her! _Do_, massa! Nobody would call it murder," said
the negro, with fervent entreaty.

Paying no attention to this advice, Mark followed the Secretary, and the
bolts were again drawn on his friends.

He found Ranavalona suffering severely. Indeed, for some time previous
to that her health had been failing, and she would gladly have had the
advice of her Court Physician, but seemed to be ashamed to send for him
after the way she had caused him to be treated. There is this to be
said for her, that she would probably have liberated him long ago, but
for the advice of her minister, Rainiharo, who was jealous of the young
Englishman's growing popularity as well as a hater of his religion.

After prescribing for the Queen and affording her some relief, he gave
orders that she should be kept very quiet; that no noise was to be
permitted in or near the palace. Then he left her apartments with the
Secretary.

As they traversed one of the corridors, the latter told Mark that the
order had been given for the execution of Ravonino and Voalavo.

"Was that order given by the Queen?" demanded Mark, flushing with
indignation, while a gush of anxiety almost choked him.

"No, it was given by Rainiharo, who takes advantage of his position and
the Queen's illness."

Just then a step was heard at the further end of the passage, and Hater
of Lies advanced towards them with his badge of office, the silver
spear, in his hand.

Like a flash of light an idea entered the young Englishman's head! He
had no time to think or plan--only to act. In the same moment, however,
he offered up a silent prayer for help.

As the officer was about to pass, Mark snatched the spear from his hand
and brought the handle of it down on its owner's crown with such
good-will that the Hater of Lies was laid flat upon the floor!

Thunder-struck, the Secretary gazed at his young companion. "You are
ruined now!" he said.

"True, and _you_ must be ruined along with me! Here, take the spear and
act the part of the Hater of Lies."

For a moment the Secretary hesitated--then, as if suddenly making up his
mind, he said--

"Come, I am with you heart and soul!"

"Lead to the place of execution--quick," cried Mark.

"We will take the prison in passing," said his companion, grasping the
spear and hastening onward.

The p