“I must be doing something to aid him,” he said. “I cannot sit here inactive while he is in danger.”
“Be patient,” she advised, looking at him admiringly; “it is near night; see, it is the gray light of dusk; the sun is out of sight. To-night, if possible, I shall come to you. Perhaps I shall approach you without disguise if you are in the throne-room and my father does not object to my entertaining you, but for the present we must separate. Adieu.”
He bowed low as she turned away, and joined the throng that was passing along outside. An officer approached him. It was Captain Tradmos, who bowed and smiled pleasantly.
“I congratulate you,” he said, with suave pleasantness.
“Upon what?” Thorndyke was on his guard at once.
“Upon having pleased the king so thoroughly. No stranger, in my memory, has ever been treated so courteously. Every other new-comer is put under surveillance, but you are left unwatched.”
“He is easily pleased,” said the Englishman, “for I have done nothing to gratify him.”
“I thought he would like you; and I felt that your friend would have to suffer, but I could not help him.”
“He shall not suffer if I can prevent it.”
“Sh—be cautious. Those words, implying an inclination to treason, if spoken to any other officer would place you under immediate arrest. I like you, therefore I want to warn you against such folly. You are wholly in the king's power. Another thing I would specially warn you against——”