aid.

"And why not, madame?" demanded Louis.

"Because it will be murder," Zara whispered. "He will murder him as he
did that boy in the Park at Pesth."

"What does the woman mean?" growled the German. "Is she mad? Send her
to her room, Louis."

"You know what I mean," Zara answered, her voice rising, in her
excitement. "You fired before they gave the word. I know you did.
Oh, Louis," she cried, "you never warned me it might come to this. I
am afraid. I am afraid to meet that man----"

She gave a sudden cry. "And Kalonay!" She held out her hands
appealingly. "Indeed," she cried, "do not let Kalonay question me."

"Silence!" commanded the King. "You are acting like a fool." He
advanced toward her, and clasped her wrist firmly in his hand. "No
nerves, now," he said. "I'll not have it. You shall meet Kalonay, and
you shall swear that he is in the plot against me. If you fail us now,
we are ruined. As it is, we are sure to lose the bribe from the
Republic, but we may still get Miss Carson's money if you play your
part. It is your word and the word of the Frenchman against Kalonay's.
And we have the paper signed by you for Kalonay as evidence. Have you
got it with you?"

Zara bowed her head. "It is always with me," she answered.

"Good," said the King. "It will be a difficult chance, but if you
stand to your story, and we pretend to believe you, the others may
believe you, too."

"But I cannot," Zara cried. "I know I cannot. I tell you if you put
me face to face with Kalonay, I shall fail you. I shall break down.
They will see that I am lying. Send me away. Send me away before they
come. Tell them I saw the Frenchman, and suspected I had been found
out, and that I have gone away. Tell them you don't know where I am."

"I believe she's right," Erhaupt said. "She will do us more harm than
good. Let her go to her room and wait there."

"She will remain where she is," said the King, sternly. "And she will
keep her courage and her wits about her, or----"

He was interrupted by an exclamation from Barrat. "Whatever you mean
to do, you must do it at once," he said, grimly. He was standing at
the window which overlooked the beach. "Here they come now," he
continued. "The American has taken no chances, he is bringing an
audience with him."

The King and Erhaupt ran to the window, and peered over Barrat's
shoulder.

Advancing toward them along the beach, some on foot, and some on
ho