He mounted the stairs without sound. He grasped the handle of the door, boldly pushed it open, and entered, closing the door and placing his back against it.
The instant he saw the intruder the vintner snatched a pistol from the drawer in the table and leveled it at Carmichael.
"Surely your majesty will not shoot an old friend?"
"Surely your Majesty will not shoot an old friend?"
CHAPTER XX
THE KING
The vintner slowly lowered the pistol till it touched the table; then he released it.
"That is better, your Majesty."