The Lighted Match

The King craved an interview. He had not seen her since morning and his

request conveyed the desolation occasioned by the long interval of empty

time.

The girl, who in the more informal phases had consistently defied the

Court etiquette, sent an affirmative reply, and Karyl, still in uniform

and dust-stained, came at once to the rooms where she was to receive

him.

There was much to talk of, and the King came forward eagerly, but the

girl halted his protestations and rapidly sketched for him the summary

of all she had learned that afternoon.

With growing astonishment Karyl listened, then slowly his brows came

together in a frown.

It was distasteful to him beyond expression to feel that he owed his

life and throne to Benton, but of that he said nothing. Lapas had been,

in the days of his childhood, his playmate. He had been the recipient of

every possible favor, and Karyl, himself ingenuous and loyal to his

friends, felt with double bitterness that not only had his enemy saved

him, but, too, his friend had betrayed him.

Then came a hurried message from Von Ritz, who begged to see the King at

once. The soldier must have been only a step behind his messenger, for

hardly had his admittance been ordered when he appeared.

The officer looked from the King to the Princess, and his eyes

telegraphed a request for a moment of private audience.

"You may as well speak here," said Karyl dryly. "Her Highness knows what

you are about to say."

"Lieutenant Lapas," began Von Ritz imperturbably, "has not been seen at

the Palace to-day. His duties required his presence this evening. He was

to be near Your Majesty at the coronation to-morrow."

"Where is he?" demanded the King.

"That is what I should like to know," replied Von Ritz. "I learn that

last night the Count Borttorff was in Puntal and that Lapas was with

him. To-day the Countess Astaride left Puntal, greatly agitated. I am

informed that from her window she watched do Freres with glasses

during Your Majesty's visit there, and that when you left she swooned.

Within ten minutes she was on her way to the quay and boarded the

out-going steamer for Villefranche. These things may spell grave

danger."

So rarely had Karyl been able to anticipate Von Ritz in even the

smallest matter that now, despite his own chagrin, he could not repress

a cynical smile as he inquired: "What do you make of it?"

Von Ritz shook his head. "I shall report to Your Majesty within an

hour," he responded.