"Your name, sir?" demanded the King.
"I am Major Prefontaine of the cavalry, and Knight of the St. Louis Order."
"In both capacities you have sworn fealty to me: it is doubly your duty therefore to help me in this quandary."
"Certainly: but will your Majesty please be quick about it lest I am seen," faltered the major.
"All the better if you are seen," interposed Malden; "you will never have a finer chance to do your duty."
Not appearing to be of this opinion, the major gave a groan. The Queen shook her shoulders with scorn and stamped with impatience.
The King waved his hand to appease her and said to the lukewarm royalist:
"Sir, did you hear by chance of soldiers waiting for a carriage to come through, and have you seen any hussars lately about?"
"They are on the other side of the town, Sire; the horses are at the Great Monarch inn and the soldiers probably in the barracks."