She gave a sudden cry. "And Kalonay!" She held out her hands
appealingly. "Indeed," she cried, "do not let Kalonay
question me."

"Silence!" commanded the King. "You are acting like a fool."
He advanced toward her, and clasped her wrist firmly in his
hand. "No nerves, now," he said. "I'll not have it. You
shall meet Kalonay, and you shall swear that he is in the plot
against me. If you fail us now, we are ruined. As it is, we
are sure to lose the bribe from the Republic, but we may still
get Miss Carson's money if you play your part. It is your
word and the word of the Frenchman against Kalonay's.
And we have the paper signed by you for Kalonay as evidence.
Have you got it with you?"

Zara bowed her head. "It is always with me," she answered.

"Good," said the King. "It will be a difficult chance, but if
you stand to your story, and we pretend to believe you, the
others may believe you, too."

"But I cannot," Zara cried. "I know I cannot. I tell you if
you put me face to face with Kalonay, I shall fail you. I
shall break down. They will see that I am lying. Send me
away. Send me away before they come. Tell them I saw the
Frenchman, and suspected I had been found out, and that I have
gone away. Tell them you don't know where I am."

"I believe she's right," Erhaupt said. "She will do us more
harm than good. Let her go to her room and wait there."