THE MAN AND HIS KINGDOM.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10263, 4 February 1899, Page 2

THE MAN AND HIS KINGDOM.

(By E. Phillips Opponheim, author of "Mysterious Mr Sabin," etc.)

CHAPTER IX. Dene as he made his way across the Square to the President's house, found every corner blocked with little groups of gesticulating and excited men talking eagerly together and pointing often to the dingy-looking prison on the hill. One name he heard continually upon their lips, "Sagasta." and the same name had just been pronounced by the Senora Rimarez. when the black footman in resplendent lirery threw open the drawing-room door, and announced his arrival to the President and his wife. "Sagasta." Dene repeated, as he bowed to the Senora. 'Is it a man's name, or a neworchid .or the name of a count ry? I heard it a- dozen times as I crossed the Plaza, and again from your lips as I entered the room." ti . "Sagn.-*a." said a voice behind him. 'is the namr of a man who is most unjustly kept in the prison of San Martina. Dene turned around and had some difficulty in retraining the exclamation which rose* to his li|>s. Lucia had glided out from the conservatory, looking like a beautiful picture in tho "white muslin gown which hung so softly and gracefully about her straight slim figure. A necklace of pearls gleamed upon her white throat, a single scarlet flower seemed somehow to have entwined itself amongst the dark coils of her jet black hair. She welcomed Dene with a brilli;jnu hmile. and for the first time he realised how charming her natural expression wap. But almost as ho bent over her fingers some shadow of the old sullenness fell upon her face. "Is that pcvsible?" Dene remarked a little absently, with his eyes still fixed upon Lucia. " in so admirably governed State as San Martina*" "My daughter," the President said stiffly, with*a disapproving glance towards her. "is naturally wholly ignorant of the politics t>f the State. Sagasta was at one time a eery oleS-er and a very useful citizen, and no "one regretted more than I the—cr —illadvised behaviour which compelled us to take severe measures." Lucia shrugged her beautiful shoulders, but her eyes were lit with fire. "Sagasta was ill-advised it is true, she said. "He was ill-advised to trust in those who betrayed him. Yet he was honest, , and there are few like him in San Martina. If there were more we should have n peaceful and happy time instead of trembling day by day lest someone or other should proclaim a revolution." "Is it really as bad as that?" Dene asked gravely. Tho* President was white with rage, but he kept his dignity. "I trust you will remember, Senor Dene,' he said, "that my daughter is young and impressionable, and also that she is sneaking of a matter concerning which she is wholly ignorant." Lucia's lin curled, but she answered nothing. Dinner was announced, and Dene gave his arm to the Senora. For a few minutes conversation was abandoned. But as they crossed the great stone hall Dene could hear the President talking to Lucia in a »low, severe tone. The girl took her seat with a hard .defiant look upon her face —her' whole expression for the moment was changed. Dinner was served at a round table in .the centre of a great, somewhat bare-look-ing apartment, Four negro servants in handsome livery and superintended by an English butler waited at table, and two more worked tho great fans which hung from the ceiling. The cooking and wines were alike exceHen*. As the dinner progressed Dene grew a little thoughtful. He Bad seen so much poverty during the day Amongst the* half-breeds and lower classes of the town that the contrast with such magnificence as this was rather unpleasantly suggestive. There were no guests, but Eugene came in late and took his seat after a constrained greeting with Dene. There was at first but little conversation. Lucia, who ate very little, and drank water, was taciturn and almost morose; ncr mother, who ate a great deal, beamed on everybody, and only attempted monosyllables. The was for a while severely silent. As the entrees were-brought in, however, he thawed a little, and returned to the former . subject of conversation. "You must not allow yourself to think, lienor Dene," he- said, "that my daughter's .very ill-advised remark has any real significance. Ot course, in San Martina the population is so mixed that there is a great deal ;o! racial feeling, and this leads at times to much wild talk. But, taken as a whole, I believe that the present Government is popular. Wo work for the people, and taxation, .is very light. There has been no such thing as a revolution for, years now, nor are there any present signs of one." Lucia listened with scornful face, and Dene with polite attention. And then, through the wide balcony hung with light mosquito netting, but otherwise open to the street, there came floating up a low muttering cry. "Sagasta!" "What has been done to Sagasta?" "Give him up to us." "Sagasta." The President controlled his features admirably, but Senora Rimarez turned pale. :E«gene muttered something beneath his ' breath and turned with a look of inquiry to bis father. The President nodded, and Eugene left the room. "This man, Sagasta," Dene remarked, proceeding with his dinner, "appears to be popular." The President poured himself out and drank a full gloss of champagne. _ "Amongst the idlers and the scum of the city," he said sternly. "He is what you would call in England an Anarchist or a Socialist." "There is a considerable difference," Dene remarked, smiling. "I am generally supposed to bo Borne sort of a Socialist, myself, but God preserve us from Anarchists." Lucia flashed upon him a softer look. "It is true." she said. "What you have done for. your people at Bekn Desir proves it. It is what Sagasta would like to do for San Martina." The President kept his temper admirably. He even mniled indulgently at his daughter. "The Senor Dene," ne said, "has bought •nd paid for his land like a man of honour and justice. What he does with it is his own concern. Sagasta, from tho most charitable point of view would rob and milage the rich for the sake of the poor. The inequalities of states which exist are perhaps 9 to "be deplored, but while one man. has brain and another muscle they are inevitable. We, who are called upon to govern, cannot fail to realise this." "Sagasta, personally " Dene began. "I do not believe in," the President interrupted. "I take the liberty there, you see, of differing even from my daughter." he bowed to her sarcastically. "He is a man of parts and intelligence, but what he desires is power and position for himself. He would rise to these on the shoulders of the people. "Is he," Dene asked, "a Spaniardf" The President and his wife exchanged swift glances, and almost simultaneously both frowned at Lucia. But she only smiled. "Senor Sagasta," she said, "is an English gentleman. Dene looked up with amazement. The President groaned to himself. Here was another complication. Dene would very likely interfere now, and protest against his being shot. "Why, I was at college with a Sagasta," .Dene exclaimed. "It would not by any possible chance be the same man." "It is very likely, indeed,' Lucia continued, much interested. "He was at Magdalen College, Oxford." Dene set down his glass. "Arnold Sagasta, as I live, he declared. "This is a most extraordinary thing. After all how small the world is. ' Sagasta was once an acquaintance of mine. How long has he been out here?" The President waved his band, and the servants fell back out of hearing. "Sagasta," he said, "has been here in San Martina for ten years. For the first part of the time he was a very valuable inhabitant, who took his place in our counsels, was highly respected, and was looked upon as one of our most prominent citizens. Ho was a guest in my house continually, and but for his own folly, he might toAlay have occupied the post of my secretary and chief adviser." **L LucU shrugged her white shoulders, and ■m opanedMier lips as though to speak. A

glance from her father, however, kept her silent. There were times when the President wivs a dangerous man. "Five years ago," the President continued calmly, "he became associated with a party in the State who have ruined him as (hey have ruined many v better man. Since then his downfall lias been slow but sure. His business has declined, he spent all his time discussing anarchy and rebellion with all the riff-raff of the place, who aro too laxy to work and too mischievous to permit others to do so. Two months ago I fouiul him implicated in a proposed rebellion against mc. and I was compelled to have him arrested and -thrust into prison. He is there now, and his fate is undecided. "1 am sorry to hear tiiis,"" Dene said grave- ! ir. "I should like very much to see him if you could arrange it." 'We will talk further of it over a cigar." the President snid. "Meanwhile—..." He raised his hand, and the service of dinner was contiiiued. In a few minutes \hz Sennra arose, and Lucia followed her. Dene, as lie stood behind his chair, felt the-girl's dark eyes challenge his. and looked steadily into them. It was only a momentary glance, but it thrilled him. There was something which she had to say to him. He resumed his chair most unwillingly. CHAPTER X. "To return," the President said, carefully choosing himself a cigar, "to the subject of Sagasta. Will you take a glass of Chateau Yquem, or a liqueur?" Dene helped himself mechanically. "Poor Sagasta," he murmured. "No one." the President continued, "regrets his downfall more than I do. for he might have become my most useful and trusted helper in the State. He preferred to ally himself with the disreputable party, the scum of the whole plate, and actually to become the organiser of an attempted rising against mc. He is bound, of course, to nay the penalty. What that may be. f am not at present absolutely prepared to stats. I myself am ou the side) of mercy, but I am somewhat awkwardly situated. On the one hand. I have tc deal with v very dangerous sub-population of half-breeds, low-caste Portuguese and natives who are all on his side; on the other, the more respectable inhabitants of the place will hasten to" nothing but the very firmest measures." "Do youmsaii by that—death/ Dene asked. The President assented gravely. As a matter of fact his nod to Eugene had been Sagasta's death warrant. * If it were not for my personal influence," the President continued, "Sagasta would have been shot any day during last month. If there is much more of this: ' he held up his finger, and Dene caught the sound of many voices' in the place below, "he must die. I cannot possibly hold out much longer." "I should liks very much to see him,' Dene said. "Don't you think that he might ba got out of the country quite quietly? If we had his word not to return that wouldend the difficulty, would it net?" "It would end it in the manner which would be most agreeable to mc," the President said thoughtfully. "I am no of bloodshed, although in a yoting, unformed country like this strong measures have often to be taken. I shall give you an order to see him, Signor Dene,but I want you to remember this, I send you ope-nly, and without reservation, to see my worst enemy: You will find him very bitter against mc. He will abuse mc personally, my government, and the whole country. I place no obstacle in the way of your "free intercourse with him, but I am sure that you will not allow yourself to be prejudiced by a fanatic. ' "I will remember all tliat you have said," Dene answered. "Sagasta was always hotheaded and impetuous, and I daresay his imprisonment will have made him aore." "Very well, then," the President said, rising ; "we will go into my study, Senor Dene, and I will write you the order. But, first of all—you hear that murmuring under the windows?—step outside cautiously, do not show yourself, but gain a view of the place below, and see for yourself what manner of psc«ple these are who clamour for Sagasta." Dene walked carefully out on to the broad verandah, and keeping in the shadow of one on the white pillars, peered downward through the mosquito netting. Little groups of men were dotted about all over the place, talking together eagerly, and directly below a much larger crowd were gathered together. standing for the most part in sullen silence. Dene noticed that most of the shops which fronted the plaza were all secured witn boarding, and the lower windows of the Government House itself were barred with iron shut- ' ters. A double row of sentries stood motionless Against the wall armed with rifles, which were obviously ready for immediate use— there was an undeniable tinge of excitement in the air. The faces of the men were certainly not prepossssing. They were a bad lot as a whole—that Dene could readily belie\*e, but they were also a dangerous lot. . Then there happened something which was to altogether convince him of it. He moved a step forward to sea further down the square —almost immediately there was a loud report from below, a blinding sheet of flame, and Dene felt his right cheek suddenly hot. The President rushed forward and dragged him into the room. "Did I not tell you not to show yourself, Senor Dene?" he said coolly. "They mistook you for mc. There is always an assassin in an excited crowd like that, everyone of whom is armed. You have had a narrow escape." Dene dabbed his cheek with his handkerchief, and was surprised to find no blood there. The bullet must have passed within an inch of him. * "Yours must be a somewhat unpleasant position," he remarked to the President. "Does this sort of thing happen often?" The President shook his head. "Not so often, Sence, as you might imagine," he answered. "You see, I know them, and I know how to deal with them. It is at night when they been drinking that they are most cfesperate. I never show myself then. I am sorry that I did not warn you more definitely." There was a sound of a scuffle, a hoarse cry, and the report of a rifle. They appreached the window and looked carefully out. The body of a man was being carried away by two of the sentries, surrounded by a little ercort. "They have shot the fellow," the President remarked. "It is summary justice, but he deserved it." Dene drew back with a little shudder. He was not used to this light regarding of human life. The President watched him anxiously. "You must net imagine, Senor Dene," he said, "that this is exactly au everyday occurrence. Do not think us any worse than we are. There is a good deal of agitation just now about Sagasta, otherwise my citizens, as a rule, are a law abiding body, and we have no real trouble. Come. I have written out your order. It is here. We will, if you are ready to join my wife and daughter, take a liqueur and light another cigarette. Good. We will go now and look for some coffee!" They found the Senora alone in the draw-ing-room, and half asleep. She woke up at their coming, smiled placidly, and dispensed some cc<ffee in tiny Dresden cups. Lucia was nowhere to be seen, but when Dene mentioned her name the Senora inclined her head towards the conservatory. "Lucia is amongst the palms," she said. "Will you go and talk to her? It is very cool there, but I am always lazy after dinner." Dene rose at once and went in search of her. She was standing in one of the darkest corners of the conservatory, herself something like a beautiful exotic flower in her white gown, standing upon the marble pavement with her hands clasped together and her dark eyes flashing and glowing upon him like stars as he came towards her. It was not until be stood by her side that she spoke. "How long you have been," she said softly. "I began to think that you were not coming at all, that I should not see you again. You understood that I had something to say to you?" Her voice was almost a whisper in his ears, and he was conscious of a distinct thrill of admiration as he looked at her. She was so slim and white and graceful—and there was no longer any frown. Her lips were parted in a dazzling smile. She seemed to draw him to her, and he was bewildered at the effect her beauty had upon him. "I came." he answered with an attempt at lightness, "as soon as your father would permit mc. That I am able to at all is owing to the wretched shooting of your charming townspeople." Tha smile died from her lips.

"I heard a shot." she said. "Was it fired at you?" Ho nodded. "I was mistaken." he explained, "for your father. It was one of oagasta's friends who was trying his skill." She- sighed. "If anything happens to Sagasta," she remarked, "there will be more than a little wild shooting. My father has been talking to you about him?'' "Yes." ' "I wonder," she said thoughtfully, "howmuch he has told you." "For instance?" "Did he tell you tliat Sagasta was once Eugene's friend and mine?" "I understand," Dene answered, "that he had been on friendly terms with you all." "Did he tell you," she continued, looking down and breaking off a scarlet flower which hung down from the roof, "that he went with Eugene to Europe, tnat he was our constant companion, Jhat he almost lived here?" He received suddenly an odd little shock. He looked down at her and for a moment their eyes met. The rich colour streamed into her face. "Was he—anything more than a companion to you?" he asked giavely. She laughed softly and gaily such a laugh that drove away every vestige of the curious fear which for a moment had seized him. "Poor Arnpld," she said.- "No, he has never made love to mc if that is what you mean. Yet we were friends and he trusted mc. He told mc his very sad history, and I pitied him. ,At least I do not mean him to die. If no one else can save him, I shall." She spoke simply but firmly. He regarded her with admiration,. '.What can you do?" "Do not ask mc, she answered. "It is much better for,-you not to know. You are going to help mc. but it will be unknown even to yourself." "Well," he said, "there was a time when I rather liked Arnold Sagasta. I meant to try what I could do." "I wonder, she asked, dropping her voice a little, "have you received permission to visit him?" "Yes." "You have a written order?' "Yes." "Signed by my father?" Again" he assented. "Which pocket is'it in?" He showed it her in his breast pockefe. She calmly took it out and read it. "The bearer mar have private interview with the prisoner Sagasta." "RIMAREZ." She folded it up, and before he could stop her she had thrust it into the bosom of her gow|. "Listen," she said. "This has been stolen from you. Remember tnat. You go not know by whom—or if even that little white lie is too much for you, keep your own counsel. It has been stolen from you. There is just a chance. That is all: "You are going to make use of it?" he asked. "Never mind. Now please take mc back into"the drawing-room, and would you mind making a little effort—for Sagasta's sake?" Again the dark eyes were "mischievously raised to his. Her head was so close that the perfume from that single scarlet flower in her hair seemed to fill the air with a peculiar fragrance. • "For the sake of—Sagasta," he answered. "I am your servant. Only you must tell mc what I am to do." ■ She broke off an orchid and thrust it through his buttonhole. "Well, I do not want them to think that we have been talking seriously at all. That is why lam decorating you. Now will you please make a great effort and be very attentive —that is the word, is it not—to mc for about ten minutes. Then I shall release you, for it is getting late." She laid her hand upon his coat eleeve, and they entered the drawing-room together. The Senora beamed graciously upon them. Rimarez, who was writing iit> the table, paused for a nroment to marvel at his wife's forethought as he noted the air of confidence between them. Lucia drew him towards a huge lounge at the further end of the room, and picked up a mandoline. "I shall sing you now, , * she,said, "a little song. Then I shall go away." She sang a little French chanson, a Breton love song, very sweetly and very softly. The*music was so dainty and her voice so delicate-tluit-long after v --«hehad^sfci?ick-tkt}: last bar he sat there hoping lor more. Then he heard the rustle of her gown. He looked up. Her place was empty. She had reached the door. He sprang to his feet, and she waved him a laughing good-night. The President and his wile exchanged glances and a smile. "The thjng was already," the Senora thought, "as good as settled." CHAPTER XI. A man was sitting alone in a room of tlie prison of San Martina. It was scarcely a tea in \v.oicii he i.ad been piiicni. yec it was hard to conceive a more miserable compartment. The door was bare, the walls had once been whitewashed, but were thickly encrusted now with all manner of dirt and cobweb, 'xhcre was no iurniture save a chair, a wooden bed and a table, all of the plainest and most wretched description. No wonder that the man who sat there was miserable. He was neither young nor old, handsome nor ugl>--yet here eadeu all kinsinp with the nonentity. Ho was slim and-dark witn mobile features, and a mouth whose humourous and sensitive proclivities made it the most marked feature of his face. He sat with his head resting upon his hand, smoking a long cigarette, with his hollow eyes fixeds?t?aaiastiy*upmthe htt.'j level patch of deep blue skyvisible through the iron bars of ias prison window. Dimly he could see the lights of the town, faintly he could hear the echoes of many voices from the people thronging the Square, and neither the sight nor the hearing seemed pleasant to him. He drew his cigarette from his mouth, and holding it between his fingers began to talk softly to himself. "A pack of cowardly scum after all," he muttered. "Not a man amongst them, or they would have had mc out of this before now. If Rimarez can keep them quiet a little longer he will be safe. They will forget mc and what I have taught them. He can use the iron heel again and down the poor cowards will go cringing and suffering in silence. What a race it is. What a race of liars and cravens! But, oh, my friend Eugene,..what would I not give for ten min.utes, five minutes even, here alone with you. It would repay mc for everything. IT ever again I am a free man, there is a heavy reckoning for you and for mc." He relit his cigarette, which had gone out, and began to walk leisurely up and down *Itf- room, lvs hands behind his back, his eyes fixed moodily-upon the floor. Suddenly he stbpned short and listened. Footsteps were at hand, approaching with measured beat along the narrow corridor. • Tfccre was the jailors heavy tramp, but he was not alone. While Sagasta was wondering who his companion might be the great key turned in the-lock, tine door was thrown open, and a young man in a familiar uniform and military cap slouched over his eyes was ushered in. Sagasta gazed at him ftir a moment with contracted brows and an expression of blank wonderment. "Eugene/ , he cried. "Why. what in the name of all that is sinful * brings you — here?" The young man shrugged his shoulders, and looked behind. When he was quite sure that the door had been dosed and that they were alone, he turned round and removed his cap. S&gasia's first surprise was as nothing compared with his subsequent amazement. He sesmed berett for the moment of words. Mβ went up to his visitor and laid hit bands upon his shoulders. UK I am not dreaming," he exclaimed, "it's—why, I'm hanged if it is not Lucia." The girl shook herself gently free from his clasp, and drew her cloak around her. "Of course it is Lucia," she answered a little pettishly. "As I have suffered the annoyance and inconvenience of assuming this most uncomfortable disguise the least you can do is to pretend that you do not see mc." "It is assumed already," Sagasta answered. "If one might venture to enquire—" "Oh. there is no time to waste," she interrupted. "Listen to mc. I have come if I can to save your life. The President has signed your death warrant; Eugene is now endeavouring to get a file of soldiers whom he can rely upon to shoot you. They have made up their minds to get rid of you." [ "I am exceedingly obliged to them," lie

said, ■" but I shall object very strongly to anything of the sort." "Nevertheless, she continued, "it is as I say. Your death varrant is signed, the soldiers may arrive at any moment." "This is the work. I presume," he said, "of your delightful brother?" She nodded. "Chiefly. My father too has a very bad opinion of you. Hβ has quite decided to have you- shot." Sagasta smiled grimly. "I may find a way to cheat their bullets : yet," he remarked. "Tell mc now why you I ha-ve come here." '"To save you, if I can." He looked at her admiringly. i "What a thoroughbred little brick you are. Lucia," he exclaimed. "I only hope you won't get into trouble." j "Not if you do exactly as I "say," she answered, "without delay, without hesitation. Listen! Take my cap:and. cloak. March boldly out of the" place. Ths password is 'Glorious Sao Martina. , and the counter-sign, 'Long life to President Rimarcz. . Keep your coat buttoned up to your tßroat. I have told everyone that-1 have neuralgia." '"But you," he objected. "What is to become of you? v "I have made all rty plans," she answered. "I shall slip across the passage there into the Governor's room. I have had him summoned to the Presidency, but—as Captain Rimarez—l have the entree to his rooms. Then i leaVe the prison a.little after I you by his private door. You have only jto reach the town and you are sufe. The people will not let you be retaken." "They have not as yet," he remarked drily, "shown themselves much concerned about mc." "You would not have said so," she answered, "if you could have heard them this evening. Your name ha* been on their lips hour by hour. As we sat at dinner to-night we heard them in ti>e 3?lace shouting for Sagasta. What they need is a leader. They j are a flimsy race—they have no backbone. If one had stuod.up before them and had s;iid 'Sagasta 3s .pur friertd. Let us rescue him. tli's prison! - ' the thing would h&ve been -done, this for I havo wjftcaed and listened'to them." "And you alone, Lucia," he said admiringly, "have had the pluck to try and sa-ve mc. You are a wonderful girl." "Try and remember that,-my-friend," shp. said, smiling,'"next tima you launch one of your terrible thunderbolts against my sex." \ ■ y ~V L j,> "I wijjl launcl no more.* L.c answered. "I told you once that your schwas incapable of friendship. I retract! /4>ou have proved the contrary. I hope thrTpve shall always ba friends—that nothing will ever come betwfen Uα.'' -■"Sometking will come between -us. -and that something will be your death, if you linger here," she interrupted quieklv. "But first I require a promise from you, the price of vcur freedom.' "Well?" _:... ,■- ---"I cannot stay your band in whatever you may choose to do politically. That is a mutter in which Ido not interfere. But if there is a rising of the people, and you are engaged in it, I ask you now that the lives of my father and mother shall be preserved. It would be better perhaps if I made you i promise to leave the country, but I am not asking that. It is only folly to interfere with destiny. and I believe that you are destined to lead a revolution ,here." "The better things, he said, "must in the end prevail, and the days of corrupt government, even in such an out of the way spot as this, are numbered. For tie lives of your people I pledge my own, I cannot do more." He flung the cloak over his shoulders, land they moved to the <loor. There was Ino one about, but the jailer's steady tramp could heard, close at" hand. Sagasta •walked boldly away down the dimly-lit* pae* sage, and Lucia, locking the door behind her, slipped down another corridor,, and into the governor's aparimcnJ'S...; (To be continued.)