guilty of this infamy. I beg your Majesty to reconsider.
There is no one in this room who is not in our secret, and
whoever has betrayed us must be with us here and now. I, who
have an interest second only to your own, ask that that
cablegram be read."

There was a murmur of approbation from the conspirators, and
exclamations of approval and entreaty. Miss Carson, in her
excitement, had risen to her feet and was standing holding her
mother's hand. The King glanced uncertainly at Kalonay, and
then turned to Barrat and Erhaupt as if in doubt.

Gordon's eyes were fixed for a moment on Kalonay with a
strange and puzzled expression. Then he gave a short sigh of
relief, and turning quickly searched the faces of those around
him. What he saw seemed to confirm him in his purpose, for he
folded the paper and placed it in his pocket. "His Majesty is
right," he said. "I shall not read this."

Kalonay and Father Paul turned upon him angrily. "You have no
choice in the matter, sir," Kalonay cried. "It has passed
entirely out of your hands."

"I beg your Majesty that the cablegram be read," the priest
demanded, in a voice that held less the tone of a request than
of a command.

"I shall not read it," persisted Gordon, "because the person
chiefly concerned is not present."