“I was ordered to ascertain the movements of the police and troops to-morrow evening when the King returns to the city from a shooting expedition. Except that in this case I had to get fuller details and quite exact particulars; the information is no more than I have supplied before.” “Do you suppose any demonstration is to take place against him or any attempt made to harm him?” “God forbid,” he cried instantly agitated. “Is there anything in the arrangements differing from those which are usually made?” “Yes, there is. His Majesty is not supposed to be returning for another week and is only remaining for the one night. He has expressly ordered that the customary arrangements shall be omitted both on his arrival and on his departure the following morning early. He wishes the matter to be kept quite secret.” I pricked up my ears at this. “Tell me the police arrangements.” “They are all there,” he replied pointing to the papers. “Tell me generally.” “There will be very few police or military present. He crosses from Barreiro in an ordinary launch--not the royal launch--and instead of going to the Quay, he will land at the Eastern landing-stage--the one from which you brought me to-day. He will be accompanied only by two members of the shooting party, and three or four officers will be present to receive him.” “Of any particular regiment?” “The First Battalion of the Royal Guards.” This was the regiment in which Sampayo was a major and Vasco lieutenant. “Wait a moment. Is not the loyalty of that regiment suspected?” “Oh no,” he replied decidedly. “But M. Volheno said something of the sort to me.” “M. Volheno was only trying to draw some admissions from you, Mr. Donnington. He dictated to me a _précis_ of his conversation with you that morning; and I knew at once what his object had been.” “Well, go on.” “A private carriage will be in waiting for his Majesty, and he and his two companions will drive in that to the Palace.” “But a carriage cannot get any closer to the stage than ours to-day--that is some forty or fifty yards from the landing-place.” “His Majesty has used that stage more than once when returning privately to the city.” “Since you have been giving away this information?” “Yes, once--about six weeks ago.” “Will that part be policed?” “It never is. His Majesty does not go in fear of any section of his people. He ridicules the very suggestion of such a thing, Mr. Donnington.” “And M. Franco and M. Volheno?” “Are of the same opinion so far as the capital is concerned. Of course, it would be different in Oporto. The revolutionaries are strong there. But in Lisbon there is no more than discontent which the police can suppress.” “I understand. Now, would it take you long to make a copy of these papers?” “An hour, perhaps.”