Page:Roy Norton--The unknown Mr Kent.djvu/194

 moment. He brought his heels together and bowed very low toward the princess.

"To be hanged by Your Royal Highness' wish would be a happineshapiness [sic] to me," he said.

"Come! Come! We've had enough of this, it seems to me," said the king. "If Mr. Kent will but relieve our suspense by explaining what took place"

"Very easily done," the American replied, with the utmost calmness. "I learned that a combination had been effected between a certain number of men to provoke a riot at what they believed a suitable moment. It was to be such a row that it might become a full-grown revolt. I therefore took measures to see that each one of these hired lambs was to be shadowed by a guardsman I could depend upon. The Princess Eloise will be delighted to know that these guardsmen consisted of former adherents of a petty baron named Provarsk, who have taken service under me personally. Money paid into an itching palm at regular intervals and in sufficient sums, does make some men loyal. These followers swear by me."

He did not look at the discomfited Provarsk, who affected an air of the utmost indifference and stared absently out toward the garden.

"So," Kent went on, "when the hired disturbers started their outburst each one was instantly clapped on the shoulder and carried away to a [190]