Juanita and her friend were left at the house, but Mr. Windom hospitably started to see his guests to the gate.
“It is not often we have the honor of entertaining the rescuer of a ruling monarch, Mr. Faraday,” he smiled, as they walked down the tiled path. “So I must make the most of it.”
“I wish the king hadn’t come on board to be rescued, sir,” laughed Clif. “Especially in a country where so much—— Gorry!”
He stopped and placed both hands to his head. His cap had fallen to the ground, together with a large twig from a tree under which they had just passed.
“What is the matter?” asked Mr. Windom, hastily. “Are you hurt?”
“No. It startled me, that’s all,” replied Clif. “It was just a branch, rotten, I suppose.”
He picked up his cap and the twig, the latter more out of curiosity than anything else, and walked on after his companions.
“I must have those branches clipped again,” said Mr. Windom. “I did not know the trees were in such condition.”
Cordial farewells were exchanged at the gate, and the two cadets entered a carriage which had been ordered for that hour.
“I must be getting nervous,” laughed Clif as they rolled away from the villa. He held up the twig and added: