“Who are you?” demanded the favourite. “How did you come here?”
“I came here easily enough,” replied the stranger, coolly. “I told the people below that I was your brother. Perhaps you have forgotten the brotherhood between us.”
Karl’s face fell, and he gazed uneasily at the bronzed features of his visitor, who returned his stare with calm unconcern.
“I do not recognise you,” he faltered. “What is your name, and what do you want here?”
“My name is Johann Mark!” Karl uttered a sharp cry. “And I want your aid to gain me a private interview with King Maximilian.”
The young courtier began to change colour, and his limbs trembled. Dropping all further question as to his visitor’s right to be there, he asked anxiously—
“What is it you want with the King?”
Johann gave him a warning look.
“Everything. Be wise, ask no more questions.”
“I dare not do what you ask. You have no right to expect it of me. I am a loyal servant of the King.”