“He has a bomb in his right-hand pocket!” yelled Philip. “I can hold him while you take it! But, for Heaven's sake, don't drop it!” Philip turned upon the crowd. “Run! all of you!” he shouted. “Run like the devil!”
At that instant the boy King and his Queen Mother, herself still young and beautiful, and cloaked with a dignity and sorrow that her robes of mourning could not intensify, appeared in the doorway.
“Go back, sir!” warned Philip. “He means to kill you!”
At the words and at sight of the struggling men, the great lady swayed helplessly, her eyes filled with terror. Her son sprang protectingly in front of her. But the danger was past. A second policeman was now holding the maniac by the wrists, forcing his arms above his head; Philip's arms, like a lariat, were wound around his chest; and from his pocket the first policeman gingerly drew forth a round, black object of the size of a glass fire-grenade. He held it high in the air, and waved his free hand warningly. But the warning was unobserved. There was no one remaining to observe it. Leaving the would-be assassin struggling and biting in the grasp of the stalwart policeman, and the other policeman unhappily holding the bomb at arm's length, Philip sought to escape into the Ritz. But the young King broke through the circle of attendants and stopped him.
“I must thank you,” said the boy eagerly; “and I wish you to tell me how you came to suspect the man's purpose.”
Unable to speak the truth, Philip, the would-be writer of fiction, began to improvise fluently.
“To learn their purpose, sir,” he said, “is my business. I am of the International Police, and in the secret service of your Majesty.”
“Then I must know your name,” said the King, and added with a dignity that was most becoming, “You will find we are not ungrateful.”
Philip smiled mysteriously and shook his head.
“I said in your secret service,” he repeated. “Did even your Majesty know me, my usefulness would be at an end.” He pointed toward the two policemen. “If you desire to be just, as well as gracious, those are the men to reward.”