I understood this of course. In his eagerness that the attempt against me should not misfire, Sampayo had sent the warning.
“But what are these men’s plans?”
“I don’t know. They are of course in league against the Government, but what they mean to do I have no idea. That uncertainty is the heaviest part of my burden. It weighs on me night and day.”
“Well, let us deal with these papers in particular,” I said. “What is the information in them?”
“I was ordered to ascertain the movements of the police and troops to-morrow evening when the King returns to the city from a shooting expedition. Except that in this case I had to get fuller details and quite exact particulars; the information is no more than I have supplied before.”
“Do you suppose any demonstration is to take place against him or any attempt made to harm him?”
“God forbid,” he cried instantly agitated.
“Is there anything in the arrangements differing from those which are usually made?”
“Yes, there is. His Majesty is not supposed to be returning for another week and is only remaining for the one night. He has expressly ordered that the customary arrangements shall be omitted both on his arrival and on his departure the following morning early. He wishes the matter to be kept quite secret.”
I pricked up my ears at this. “Tell me the police arrangements.”