Pike was waiting in the avenue of potted palms when the greatest
scholar of southeastern Europe, now reduced to the humble role of
messenger boy, came to him, somewhat flurried and breathless, and
slipped a small envelope into his hand.
Popova rather curtly refused to renew his acquaintance with occidental
fizzes, and waited only until he had announced to Mr. Pike that the
Princess wished to emphasize the advice contained in the letter and to
assure the presumptuous stranger that it was meant for his welfare.
This is what Mr. Pike read:
My very good friend:
I have protected you, not because you deserve protection, but because I
like you very much. You must not come to the palace grounds again. They
are now under double guard and, if I attempted to meet you, no doubt a
whole company of our big soldiers would surround you and surely you
could not overcome so many powerful men. I am thinking only of your
safety. I beg you to leave Morovenia at once. Your danger is greater
than you can imagine. What more can I say, except that I shall always
remember you? Sincerely,
K.
Mr. Pike read it carefully three times and then told himself aloud that
it was not what he would precisely term a love-letter.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68