quality which made his writings attractive to the reader, and
an object of concern to his editor. At the very word "spy," and at
this first hint of opposition to the cause in which he had but just
enlisted, he thrilled as though it had always been his own, and he
regarded the Frenchman with a personal dislike as sudden as it was
unfounded.

The Frenchman had turned and was walking in the direction of the city
gate. His eyes were bent on the sandy beach which stretched before
him, and he made his way utterly unmindful of the waves that stole up
to his feet and left little pools of water in his path. Gordon
beckoned impatiently to the two soldiers who came running toward him at
the hotel, and moved forward to meet them the sooner. He took one of
them by the wrist and pointed with his other hand at the retreating
figure of the Frenchman.

"That man," he said, "is one of the King's enemies. The King is in
danger while that man is here. Your duty is to protect the King, so he
gives this foreigner into your charge."

The soldier nodded his head in assent. "The King himself sent us," he
replied.

"You will place him in the Civil Prison," Gordon continued, "until the
King is safe on his yacht, and you will not allow him to send for the
French Consul-General. If he sees the Consul-General he will tell him
a great many lies about you, and a great war-ship will come and your
Bashaw will be forced to pay the foreigners much money. I will go with
you and tell this man in his own tongue what you are going to do with
him."

They walked hurriedly after the Frenchman, and when they had overtaken
him Gordon halted and bowed.

"One moment, please," he said. "These soldiers have an order for your
arrest. I speak the language, and if you have anything to say to them
I will interpret for you."

The Frenchman stared from Gordon to the guards and then laughed
incredulously but with no great confidence. He had much to say, but he
demanded to know first why he should be arrested.

"The lady you insulted," Gordon answered, gravely, "happened,
unfortunately for you, to be one of the King's guests. She has
complained to him, and he has sent these soldiers to put you where you
cannot trouble her again. You see, sir, you cannot annoy women with
impunity even in this barbarous country."

"Insult her! I did not insult her," the man retorted. "That is not
the reason I am arrested."

"You annoyed her so much that she fainted