Fly, or you
are lost!"

Here was a new shock for Ashby, but he did not lose his presence of
mind. The new-comer was still at the door. He was not followed. At
this he noted as he stood for a moment or so holding Dolores in his
arms.

As for Mrs. Russell, nothing could exceed her amazement and terror
when "His Majesty" came in behind her at the very moment when she
supposed herself to be in "His Majesty's" arms. It was
unintelligible--nay, even frightful.

"Weren't you--your Majesty--here--just now?" she stammered.

"Me! Us! Here? Divil a bit av us! We've just come," was the reply.

"But who was it? Some one was here."

"Some one?" said "His Majesty." "Oh, maybe it was our r'y'l
footstep."

"No--but some one was talking Spanish."

"Walkin' Spanish, ye mane," replied the august monarch. "Sure
nobody's been talkin' Spanish here at all at all."

[Illustration: "He Took It For Dolores."]

"But, your Majesty, some one was here--talking to me--close to me."

"Shure it was one av the gyerruls."

"No; it was a--a man!"

"A man!" exclaimed "His Majesty," in surprise.

"Yes."

"What! here in this room?"

"Yes."

"Shure ye've been dramin'--so ye have; or else--maybe it was the
castle ghost."

"The ghost!" groaned Mrs. Russell. "Oh, your Majesty! Oh, my own one!
Oh, save me! Don't--don't let it come near me!"

And, flinging her arms around the royal person, Mrs. Russell clung to
it, sobbing hysterically.

"Shure--whisht, will yez, or ye'll waken up the gyerruls," said the
monarch. "I'll protect yez, if ye'll let me, so I will."

"Oh!" said Mrs. Russell, clinging more closely to "His Majesty," "do
you hear that?"

"What?"

"That noise!"

"What noise?"

"I heard a wow--wow--whisper!" sobbed the lady.

"A whisper--nonsinse!" said "His Majesty."

"Oh, listen!" said Mrs. Russell, holding him tight, so that he could
not get free. At this "His Majesty" remained perfectly still, and
listened. There certainly were some low, indistinct sounds, among
which were whispers.

"Shure it's the gyerruls," said "His Majesty." "That's what it is."

"Oh, look! look!" cried Mrs. Russell. "The ghost! the ghost!"

And with a loud cry Mrs. Russell fell back. "His Majesty" encircled
her with the royal arms, and gently deposited her on the floor,
standing thus in deep perplexity. But at this instant a sight caught
his eye which made him start. It was Ashby's figure traversing the
room, through the moonlight. He