escape, for he was conscious that he could be observed from
every point in the town. A hundred yards away, on the terrace
of the hotel, he saw the King, Madame Zara, Barrat, and
Erhaupt standing together watching them.

"If the American leaves him now, we are safe," the King was
saying. He spoke in a whisper, as though he feared that even
at that distance Gordon and the Frenchman could overhear his
words. "But if he remains with him he will find out the
truth, and that means ruin. He will ruin us."

"Look, he is coming this way," Zara answered. "He is leaving
him. The danger is past."

The Frenchman raised his eyes and saw the four figures grouped
closely together on the terrace.

"See, what did I tell you?" he cried. "She is with the King
now. It is a plot within a plot, and I believe you know it,"
he added, furiously. "You are one of these brave blackmailers
yourself--that is why you will not let me speak."

"Blackmailers!" said Gordon. "Confound your impudence, what
the devil do you mean by that?"

But the Frenchman was staring angrily at the distant group on
the terrace, and Gordon turned his eyes in the same direction.
Something he saw in the strained and eager attitude of the
four conspirators moved him to a sudden determination.