“Lottie, of course, went into Mr. Rockland’s arms, and covered his brow with kisses. That was what I call a triumph of woman’s rights. Here was a lawyer who commanded money, influenced courts, directed banks, intimidated witnesses, cleared guilty clients, compelled judges to bow to his great talent; and then in comes a weak little girl and rules him, the same as a raw recruit is ruled, by the commanding general. She bids him go, and he goes--she commands him to come, and he comes. Talk about woman’s rights! What on earth do women want with any more rights than they have? They have complete control of the world--because they control man, and through him the world.” “There is the gong for lunch,” observed the queen, “and you may suspend until it is over. It is our wish, though, that our friends re-assemble here immediately after luncheon, to hear more of the story.” CHAPTER XI. “Suppose you and I don’t go down to luncheon,” said Scottie to Ivanhoe; “I am not a bit hungry, and would very much prefer remaining up here; how is it with you?” “That’s my fix, exactly; I’m glad you mentioned it. Take my arm, and let us have a walk and a talk both.” “Agreed; now what did your spy report, a moment ago, about the two detectives?” “I shall find out everything that is going on. It is such rare sport, too, to be tracking detectives who imagine themselves to be so clever!” “Oh, bother the clever detectives! tell me what you know.” “Now, Scottie, don’t you begin to lose your temper; you know I have made a confidante of you.” “I think you and I ought to be very good friends.” “So do I.” “I think we ought to know more about each other.” “So do I.” “When do you intend to tell me who you are, Scottie?” “As soon as the queen gives her consent.” “What has the queen got to do with it, I should like to know?” “No doubt you would; but I have given my solemn promise not to reveal her name nor my own to any person without her permission; and she has promised that as soon as Ingomar’s story is finished all secrecy may be discarded. But now I want to hear what you have discovered about the two seedy men.” “They are going to arrest Ingomar, and take him off at Vicksburg; he is charged with a bloody murder (so the seedy men say). They state that he committed the crime somewhere in Mississippi, and while in jail awaiting trial managed to make his escape. The friends of the murdered man offered a large reward for the capture of the perpetrator, and then the State added another large sum to that offered by the friends of the deceased, and those two seedy men are officers from Mississippi who have got Ingomar spotted.” “Does Ingomar know they are watching him?” “No, I think not.” “Then why not warn him of the danger?” “That would be wrong, because if he is guilty he ought to suffer; if he is innocent he is in no danger.” “Do you believe he is guilty?”