"But that seems to me serious," said the King, "considering how necessary secrecy is to my purpose. Let him be admitted at once."
General Dolabella was ushered in, wearing a look of tremendous mystery and importance, and with official brevity reported that a party of gendarmes arriving in the city during the previous night had encountered a man maltreating a girl, and that in endeavouring to arrest him and prevent further violence, one of the privates had been shot dead by the miscreant; "and if your majesty pleases," concluded the General, with an even greater air of mystery than before, "the officer is in attendance to give further details."
"I will question him immediately," said the King.
"Would your majesty wish to make the examination in private?" said Turbo. "If so, I will retire."
"I see no occasion," answered the King, before the commander-in-chief could interpose. "Besides, I shall probably need your assistance. Let the officer enter."
The hero of the last night's adventure was at once introduced. He saluted the King with spirit, and then stood rigidly at attention, without in the least noticing the Chancellor.
"This is a most grave affair, sir," began the King. "Have you any light to throw on the parties concerned?"
"I believe, sire, I have identified the girl," replied the gendarme.
"And who do you suppose she is?"