the man my father has transported?" she questioned.

"Yes, he is a good, faithful fellow, and it is hard to die so far away
from friends."

"We must try to save him, but I cannot now think of a safe plan. The
police are very vigilant."

"Where was he taken?"

"Into the darkness behind the sun--beyond the wall of which I spoke."

A flush of shame came into Thorndyke's face over the remembrance that he
had made no effort to aid poor Johnston, and was sitting listening with
delight to the conversation of Bernardino. He rose suddenly.

"I must be doing something to aid him," he said. "I cannot sit here
inactive while he is in danger."

"Be patient," she advised, looking at him admiringly; "it is near night;
see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night,
if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without
disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to
my entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu."

He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing
along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who
bowed and smiled pleasantly.

"I congratulate you," he said, with suave pleasantness.

"Upon what?" Thorndyke was on his guard at once.

"Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory,
has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under
surveillance, but you are left unwatched."

"He is easily pleased," said the Englishman, "for I have done nothing to
gratify him."

"I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to
suffer, but I could not help him."

"He shall not suffer if I can prevent it."

"Sh--be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if
spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest.
I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are
wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you
against----"

"And that is?"

"Not to allow the king to suspect your admiration for the Princess
Bernardino. It would displease the king. She is much taken with you; I
saw it in her eyes when she danced for your entertainment."

Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed searchingly into the eyes of the
officer. Tradmos laughed.

"You are afraid of me."

"No, I am not, I trust you wholly; I know that you are honorable; I
never make a mistake along that line."