the two women in silence. He crossed the terrace quickly with
an amused and puzzled countenance, and walked into the
breakfast-room, from the windows of which, as he rightly
guessed, the five conspirators had for some time observed him.
He looked from one to the other of the men about the table,
until his eyes finally met those of the King.

"I believe, sir, you are leading an expedition against the
Republic of Messina?" Gordon said. "I am afraid it can't
start unless you take me with you."




III


The presence in Tangier of the King of Messina and his suite,
and the arrival there of the French noblemen who had
volunteered for the expedition, could not escape the
observation of the resident Consuls-General and of the foreign
colony, and dinners, riding and hunting parties, pig-sticking,
and excursions on horseback into the outlying country were
planned for their honor and daily entertainment. Had the
conspirators held aloof from these, the residents might have
asked, since it was not to enjoy themselves, what was the
purpose of their stay in Tangier; and so, to allay suspicion
as to their real object, different members of the expedition
had been assigned from time to time to represent the visitors
at these festivities. On the morning following the return of