As they started for the monarch’s quarters, Stubbs and Nikol both hung back.

“Come on now, Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester.  “The king will be as glad to see you as any of the rest of us.”

“I’m not much used to kings,” Stubbs protested.  “Besides, this is none of my expedition.  You’re the fellows he wants to see.”

“Nonsense,” said Hal, and struck with a sudden thought, he added:  “Perhaps the king will give you an interview.  It would be a good thing for the New York Gazette.”

“By Jove! you’re right there,” Stubbs agreed.  “I must be a great newspaper man to have overlooked a thing like that.  If my boss knew it I’d get fired.  I’ll go along.”

Still Nikol hung back, and it took considerable coaxing before he consented to go; and then it took Stubbs to clinch matters.

“Look here, now,” he said, eyeing Nikol sternly, “I took you for a brave man.  You’re not afraid of a king, are you?”

Nikol shook his head negatively.

“Well, if you don’t come along I’ll think you are,” declared Stubbs.  “Look at me now.  I don’t care particularly about going, but I want to show King Nicholas I’m not afraid of him.  Come on.”

He took the dwarf by the arm and the latter moved along grumbling to himself.

The king received the party in his private quarters—­a large field tent.  When the party was ushered into his presence, he was attended by a single orderly.  He arose at their entrance.  His eyes surveyed the group quickly, and he demanded: 

“Where is my friend, Colonel Edwards?”

Colonel Anderson, delegated spokesman for the party by reason of his superior rank, stepped forward and replied quietly: 

“He is dead, sire.”

The king took a step backward and passed a trembling hand across his brow.  He was silent for some moments before replying.

“Dead!  One more victim of the Kaiser’s militarism.  Tell me, how did he die?”

Colonel Anderson explained quietly and briefly.  Then, at the king’s request, he went into the details of the journey; and when he had concluded, King Nicholas expressed his deep thanks for the service each member of the party had rendered him.

“And you say Nicolas, the traitor, is dead?” he questioned.

“Yes, your majesty.  Nikol here,” and Colonel Anderson indicated the dwarf, “saw to that.”

The king turned to Nikol.  Then he commanded: 

“Come here!”

Trembling, in spite of his denial that he was afraid of a king, Nikol approached.  The king extended a hand, and Nikol bent one knee and put his lips to the hand.

“I thank you,” said King Nicholas.

Nikol, with flushed face, muttered something unintelligible and backed slowly away.

Then the king thanked each member of the party separately.  Even Stubbs seemed somewhat abashed by the king’s manner.

Later Colonel Anderson mentioned the gold they had brought and it was all deposited—­fifteen bags of the precious metal—­before the king.