“There Ramirez Arellano left us for a while, and I found that the other incognito was Villar Frontin, the King’s secretary. At the end of half an hour a fine-figured lady passed through the room, followed by Arellano. He nervously made a sign to the secretary and me to follow him, whilst the alcalde was to remain behind. When we all three arrived at the door of the salon, Arellano called out in a loud tone: “‘Señor.’ “‘What is it?’ cried a voice from within. “‘Here is Van Halem.’ “‘Enter.’ “So we entered, leaving Villar Frontin near the door outside. “The King was quite alone; he was seated in the only chair in the room, but as we advanced he rose to his feet. The King’s dress is so familiar to his people, down to the cut of his trousers and the stud of his shirt-front, that there is no need to describe it. “At a little distance from the chair was a large table, at which the King despatched business with his Ministers, and upon which were several papers, an inkstand, a writing-case, and a box of cigars. “By the side of the table was a case, which was doubtless the same in which Irriberry said the King kept the papers sent from Murcia for him. “The King rested one hand on the table, whilst I bowed to his feet according to Spanish etiquette, and giving me the other to kiss, he raised me, saying: ‘And what do you want? Why do you wish to see me?’ “‘Because I am perfectly sure that, if Your Majesty will listen to me quietly, all the suspicions with which Your Majesty has been inspired, and which have led to my treatment, will be allayed!’ “‘But you are taking part in a conspiracy, and you ought to divulge it to me. I know all. Don’t be frightened. Who are your accomplices?’ “‘The desire for good is not conspiracy. If Your Majesty knows all, there will be nothing new in what I can say, and any explanation you may deign to authorize me to make will disarm your anger, and show you that the only reason anybody hides from your august personage is to escape from the scourge with which people seek to make your illustrious name odious.’ “‘Who are those who have seduced you with these errors? Tell me who they are. Do not hesitate.’ “‘Señor, if Your Majesty knows all, you know--you must know--that nobody has seduced me, and that I speak from an impulse of conviction from within; and that the order of things and the distrust nowadays is such that I cannot say I know anybody personally.’ “‘You must know the means of discovering them; you are bound in honour to obey me. Choose, then, between grace and disgrace.’ “‘Put yourself, Your Majesty, at the head of the society, and you will know all....’