it
in your hand, and wearing a tragic expression,--and get locked up by
the first agent de police you meet! You have pluck enough, but you
should avoid these exhibitions of hysteria."

He gripped her by the shoulder, swung her round, and pointed to the
door, "_Allez_!"

CHAPTER XXI

"My crown is without leaves,
For she sits in the dust and grieves,
Now we are come to our kingdom."
"Anthony and Cleopatra," KIPLING.

Once more the procession of conspirators toiled on its way up the
irregular mountain path. The horses slipped and stumbled under their
unskilful riders, the mules climbed steadily upwards. No one spoke.

As usual Arithelli led the way.

Vardri, who had arrived last of all, rode forward to join her, but was
curtly ordered to the rear by Sobrenski.

They should see enough of each other later on,--when it was time.

Before they started on their ride he spoke to Arithelli alone, and gave
her his final instructions, and saw for himself that the pistol she
wore at her belt was properly charged. He never left anything to
chance, especially in important undertakings such as the present one.

"There will not be a long meeting to-night," he said. "You will have
an hour free to do your work. You hear?"

His eyes were fixed on hers, compelling an answer. None came, though
she bowed her head in token of acquiescence, and though he could hear
no word Sobrenski was satisfied. He had seen that shrinking attitude,
that mechanical gesture before. In the plot to assassinate General
Morales there had been a young Spanish student who had given some
trouble. He had developed a conscience at the last minute, and vowed
that he could not kill an old and defenceless man, that he would rather
die himself.

He had died, and so had Morales, and both by the explosion of the bomb
that had been launched by the hand of the former.

Sobrenski held rightly that those who meddled with politics on either
side must dispense with such useless things as scruples.

The night was still and sultry, with a full moon hanging low in the
sky. The weather had been unnaturally warm for the time of year, all
day, down in the city.

They were all glad when they had mounted above the sea-level.

There was a little breeze met them, and the tired and patiently
plodding horses raised their heads.

Arithelli drew a long breath of relief as she shifted in her saddle,
and glanced back to see if they were a