“When did these events occur to which you have referred?” questioned the Professor.
“Early in the present century,” replied the General.
“We must distinctly disclaim responsibility for anything occurring after June the tenth, nineteen hundred,” declared the Professor, with a smile.
“True, I had forgotten that!” replied General Mainwarren with a laugh.
“But what I don’t understand,” said the Professor, again grown serious, “is that you, who seem to so thoroughly grasp and understand these evils, should be willing to actively engage in their perpetuation.”
Before General Mainwarren could reply to this home-thrust, the door opened and Colonel Cuming reappeared.
“Can you imagine,” he exclaimed with evident excitement, “the errand of the royal messenger?”
“Oh, to hurry Somebody on his journey, of course—before we’ve had half a chance of enjoying his society,” pouted Beatrice, who had followed the Colonel into the room. “A summons to Court——”
“A summons to Court—that part is right,” interrupted the Colonel, “but you haven’t guessed rightly as to whom. The message is this: ‘His Majesty commands Colonel Sir Maynard Cuming to repair at once to Court and to bring with him his notable guests, Professor Walter Stuart Dean and Mr. Thomas Kearns, the details concerning whose remarkable experiences His Majesty has learned with much interest.’ What do you say to that?”
Both the Professor and Kearns stood agape with astonishment. Beatrice’s voice was the first to break the silence.