"I wish to send in my papers, sire." "You wish to resign? What is it? Money troubles?" The Captain hesitated. "I am thinking of getting married, sire," he answered at length. "Young and a bachelor," said the King, "of course you are thinking of getting married. That is very right and proper, but hardly a reason for sending in your papers." Again Von Hügelweiler was at a loss for words, and a tinge of colour mounted to his olive cheeks. "I am tired of soldiering," he said, after a long struggle for thought. "Meyer," said the King, turning to his Commander-in-Chief, "is not this man a Von Hügelweiler?" "Yes, your Majesty. A member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families in your kingdom?" "The son of Heinrich Salvator von Hügelweiler, who fought in the trenches in '84?" persisted the monarch. Again the Commander-in-Chief replied in the affirmative. "He is tired of my service, Meyer," went on King in a low voice. Von Hügelweiler's head sank onto his breast, as if weighed down with shame. "Your Majesty can be served in more ways than one," he murmured. "But in none so well as by the sword," returned the King. "When an officer resigns his commission on the eve of war we call him by an ugly name, Captain." "But we are not on the eve of war, sire," expostulated the poor Captain. "Pardon me," said Karl, "I think otherwise." "If there is fighting, sire, my sword is at your service." "There is fighting and fighting," mused the King. "Fighting in the long-drawn firing-line with your nearest comrade ten yards distant, and your nearest foe a mile off; and there is fighting in the narrow street with your company shoulder to shoulder, and the enemy at the end of your swordpoint. The former needs courage, but the latter needs courage and a loyal heart. Do I make myself clear, Captain von Hügelweiler?" Von Hügelweiler straightened himself. Life's problems seemed very puzzling just now. He had acted from the best motives in tendering his resignation, for if he decided to aid and abet the King's enemies, he preferred not to do so in the King's uniform. But the instincts of a soldier and certain splendid traditions of his family warred hard with his desires. "I understand my resignation is not acceptable, your Majesty," he said at length. "I neither refuse it nor accept it," said Karl. "This morning I am going ski-ing to Nussheim. I need protection these troublous times, and I am taking my Commander-in-Chief with me. I am taking Herr Saunders, who is a deadly revolver shot; I am also taking Mrs. Saunders, who has nerves of steel and the heart of an Amazon. Will you make assurance doubly sure and form part of my body-guard to Nussheim?" Von Hügelweiler's eyes flashed proudly at the honour, and his hand went to the hilt of his sword. "Your Majesty's safety shall be on my head," he said. CHAPTER TEN A SKI-ING EXPEDITION