moments later, when the conspirators entered the King's salon,
preceded by Erhaupt, they found the boy standing by his
father's knee. The King had his hand upon the child's head,
and had been interrupted apparently in a discourse on the
dignity of kingship, for the royal crown of Messina had been
brought out and stood beside him on the table, and his other
hand rested on it reverently. It was an effective tableau,
and the visitors observed it with varying emotions, but with
silence.

The King rose, taking his son's hand in his, and bowed,
looking inquiringly from Barrat to the Prince Kalonay.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked. "Was
it discreet of you to come together in this way? But you are
most welcome. Place chairs for the ladies, Barrat."

Kalonay glanced at the others, and they nodded to him as
though to make him their spokesman. He pointed at Gordon with
his cap.

"We are here on the invitation of this gentleman, your
Majesty," he said. "He took it upon himself to send after
those of us who had gone into the country, and came in person
for the others who remained in town. He tells us he has news
of the greatest importance to communicate, which he cannot
disclose except to you, and in the presence of all of those
who are to take part in the expedition. We decided to
accompany him here, as he asked us, and to leave it to your
Majesty to say whether or not you wished us to remain."