The Kings Esquires | Page 6

see, Leoni, who did you say
carried it off?"

"The enemy and invader of your country, your Majesty: Henry, the
English King. But, your Majesty--" The doctor ceased speaking and
turned slowly, to let his eyes rest meaningly upon the two young men
in turn.
"Eh? What? You mean this is secret, and not for other ears?"
The two young men made a quick movement as their eyes sought the
King's, and mutely asked the question:
Your Majesty wishes us to go?
"My liege, what I communicated was of the gravest import to you and
yours, meant for your ears alone."
"To be sure, Leoni, but kings need very long ears indeed to take in all
that concerns them--and have them too, sometimes, my learned doctor,
as I have no doubt you men of wisdom think. But to be serious; I find I
cannot hear all I want for myself, and am glad to have the help of other
ears that I can trust. You are suspicious, my good old friend."
"No, your Majesty: cautious in your service. Years of experience have
taught me to trust no one in your Majesty's service but myself."
"Ah, but you are not a king. Where should I be if I trusted none?"
The doctor bowed.
"There, you see, I trust you; and what is more, I trust these two boys as
thoroughly as anyone at Court. You know, old friend, that there are
hundreds here who will say they would die for me. Now, those two lads
would not say such a thing to save their lives."
"Your Majesty!" cried the two young courtiers, in the same tone of
protest.
"Well," said the King, smiling; "I am right. I believe you would either
of you die to save me, and without saying word."

The pair drew back, smiling and satisfied, each glancing at the doctor
as much as to say, Do you hear that?
"There," said the King, "I trust you all; so now go on, Leoni, and say
what you have to say; and, boys, mind this; we are in secret conclave
now. There must be no chattering afterwards, or discussion."
"Your Majesty commands," said the doctor gravely. "Shall I continue
from where we left off yesterday?"
"No; let's have it all again. My gallop yesterday through the forest gave
me so much to do in managing a fiery horse and keeping him from
breaking my neck amongst the boughs as he carried me into so many
real dangers, that all your imaginary notions were swept away. Let's
have it all again."
The doctor bowed.
"It will save me," said the King, "from making only a half confidence
to my young friends here. But be brief. Put it if you can into a few
words. You in your studies and porings over black books are
convinced-- of what?"
"That your Majesty's throne and succession--"
"Well, really, Leoni, I don't know that I care much about the succession.
But my throne is not a safe seat unless--"
"Unless, your Majesty, that half sacred mystic balas ruby that was
carried off by Henry of England is brought back and restored to its
place in the French Crown."
"Yes, that's it," said the King. "I remember all now. But do you believe,
Leoni, as a man who has long studied the secrets of nature, and the
mysteries of life, that there can be such virtue in precious stones that
they can influence our lives?"
"Yes, your Majesty," said the doctor solemnly; "and everything goes to

prove it the wide world through; amongst the greatest and most
civilised down to the most savage nations these talismanic gems have
been preserved and treasured up. Prosperity and safety of life have
always accompanied their possession; misfortune and destruction their
loss."
"Well," said the King thoughtfully, "I don't think that I believe it. It
sounds to me like an old woman's tale."
"If your Majesty would read and study the history of the past--"
"I haven't time," said the King. "But look here; do you mean to tell me
that this present Henry--what is he--the Eighth?--of England believes
all this?"
"Yes, your Majesty, and proves it by treasuring up the ruby that by
right is yours."
"Then you think that the holding of this stone, reft from our crown, had
something to do with the hold of these English upon our fair domains
of France?"
"Certainly, your Majesty, and moreover, I hold that it is your sovereign
duty to restore it to its place."
"How?" said the King, and his eyes rested upon those of the two young
men, whose intent and watchful faces told how they were drinking in
with intense interest the subject that was being discussed.
"That, your Majesty," said the doctor gravely, "is what I am here to