“That he has been sent off, out of harm’s way!”
“You are right,” said the Professor gravely; “That is exactly the position! He has been sent off out of harm’s way!”
“I heard,” went on De Launay, “that the girl—or some girl of remarkable beauty had been seen here—actually here in the Palace—before the Prince left! And such an odd way he left, too—scuttling off in his own yacht without—so far as I have ever heard—any farewells, or preparation, or suitable companions to go with him. Still one hears such extraordinary stories——”
“True!—one does!” agreed the Professor; “And after proper experience, one hears without listening!”
De Launay looked at him curiously.
“The girl was certainly beautiful,” he proceeded meditatively; “And her adopted father,—Réné Ronsard,—was not that his name?—was a quaint old fellow. A republican, too!—fiery as a new Danton! Well! The King’s curiosity is apparently satisfied on that score,—but”—here he began to laugh—“I shall never forget your face, Von Glauben, when he caught you on The Islands that day!—never! Like an overgrown boy, discovered with his fingers in a jam-pot!”
“Thank you!” said the Professor imperturbably; “I can assure you that the jam was excellent—and that I still remember its flavour!”
Sir Roger laughed again, but with great good-humour,—then he became suddenly serious.
“The King goes out alone very often now?” he said.
“Very often,” assented the Professor.