island. I explained that clause to them by saying that
Kalonay and I were working together against the King, and as
he might be suspicious if we were both to leave him so soon
after the failure of the expedition we would be satisfied if
they gave the money to whichever one first presented the ring.
Suppose I had said," she went on, turning to the King, "that
it was either Barrat or the Colonel here who had turned
traitor. They know the Baron of old, when he was Chamberlain
and ran your roulette wheel at the palace. They know he is
not the man to turn back an expedition. And the Colonel, if
he will pardon me, has sold his services so often to one side
or another that it would have been difficult to make them
believe that this time he is sincere. But Kalonay, the man
they fear most next to your Majesty--to have him turn traitor,
why, that was a master stroke. Even those boors, stupid as
they are, saw that. When they made out the agreement they put
down all his titles, and laughed as they wrote them in.
`Prince Judas' they called him, and they were in ecstasies at
the idea of the aristocrat suing for blood-money against his
sovereign, of the man they feared showing himself to be only a
common blackmailer. It delighted them to find a prince royal
sunk lower than themselves, this man who has treated them like
curs--like the curs they are," she broke out suddenly--"like
the curs they are!"

She rose and laughed uneasily as though at her own vehemence.

"I am tired," she said, avoiding the King's eyes; "the trip
has tired me. If you will excuse me, I will go to my
rooms--through your hall-way, if I may."