Page:Roy Norton--The unknown Mr Kent.djvu/242

 some one coming rapidly along the corridor, the guard's heels coming to a salute, and the door opened and the king entered, his whole personality radiating indignation.

"This is an outrage!" he declared. "I found a guard in front of my door this morning who told me of your arrest and confinement to your room. He made no objection to my coming here and so I came at once. We will go immediately and have Provarsk seized. Come!"

Kent slowly shook his head.

"I can not," he said. "I am under parole of honour to remain here."

The king stood aghast.

"You gave your word to that treacherous"

"Yes, and shall keep it."

"Then I will at once go alone and act. I'll"

"No, no; let us consider. " Kent checked him.

"But—but it may mean revolt! How do we know that he has not bribed or overcome enough of the guards; that"

"No fear," said Kent easily. "Some of them, perhaps; but I have certain reason to believe that on Baron Von Glutz' return there will be—um-m-mh—a change in the situation."

"But Kent! Kent! Are you mad?" demanded the king. "Time! Time is against us. You don't know what is happening! What do you [238]