第19章 How Rob Served a Mighty King(2)

Either his map or compass or his calculations proved wrong, for it wa. high noon before, having changed his direction a half dozen times, h. came to the great city of London. He saw at a glance that it woul. never do to drop into the crowded streets, unless he wanted to becom. an object of public curiosity; so he looked around for a suitabl. place to alight.

Near by was a monstrous church that sent a sharp steeple far into th. air. Rob examined this spire and saw a narrow opening in the masonr. that led to a small room where a chime of bells hung. He crep. through the opening and, finding a ladder that connected the belfr. with a platform below, began to descend.

There were three ladders, and then a winding flight of narrow, ricket. stairs to be passed before Rob finally reached a small room in th. body of the church. This room proved to have two doors, on. connecting with the auditorium and the other letting into a sid. street. Both were locked, but Rob pointed the electric tube at th. outside door and broke the lock in an instant. Then he walked int. the street as composedly as if he had lived all his life in London.

There were plenty of sights to see, you may be sure, and Rob walke. around until he was so tired that he was glad to rest upon one of th. benches in a beautiful park. Here, half hidden by the trees, h. amused himself by looking at the Record of Events.

"London's a great town, and no mistake," he said to himself; "bu. let's see what the British are doing in South Africa to-day."He turned the cylinder to "South Africa," and, opening the lid, a. once became interested. An English column, commanded by a brave bu. stubborn officer, was surrounded by the Boer forces and fightin. desperately to avoid capture or annihilation.

"This would be interesting to King Edward," thought the boy. "Gues. I'll hunt him up and tell him about it."A few steps away stood a policeman. Rob approached him and asked:

"Where's the king to-day?"

The officer looked at him with mingled surprise and suspicion.

"'Is Majesty is sojournin' at Marlb'ro 'Ouse, just now," was th. reply. "Per'aps you wants to make 'im a wissit," he continued, wit. lofty sarcasm.

"That's it, exactly," said Rob. "I'm an American, and thought while Iwas in London I'd drop in on His Royal Highness and say 'hello' to him."The officer chuckled, as if much amused.

"Hamericans is bloomin' green," he remarked, "so youse can stand fo. Hamerican, right enough. No other wissitors is such blarsted fools.

But yon's the palace, an' I s'pose 'is Majesty'll give ye a 'ot reception.""Thanks; I'll look him up," said the boy, and left the office. convulsed with laughter.

He soon knew why. The palace was surrounded by a cordon of th. king's own life guards, who admitted no one save those who presente. proper credentials.

"There's only one thing to do;" thought Rob, "and that's to wal. straight in, as I haven't any friends to give me a regular introduction."So he boldly advanced to the gate, where he found himself stopped b. crossed carbines and a cry of "Halt!""Excuse me," said Rob; "I'm in a hurry."

He pushed the carbines aside and marched on. The soldiers mad. thrusts at him with their weapons, and an officer jabbed at his breas. with a glittering sword, but the Garment of Repulsion protected hi. from these dangers as well as from a hail of bullets that followed hi. advancing figure.

He reached the entrance of the palace only to face another group o. guardsmen and a second order to halt, and as these soldiers were ove. six feet tall and stood shoulder to shoulder Rob saw that he could no. hope to pass them without using his electric tube.

"Stand aside, you fellows!" he ordered.

There was no response. He extended the tube and, as he pressed th. button, described a semi-circle with the instrument. Immediately th. tall guardsmen toppled over like so many tenpins, and Rob steppe. across their bodies and penetrated to the reception room, where . brilliant assemblage awaited, in hushed and anxious groups, fo. opportunity to obtain audience with the king.

"I hope his Majesty isn't busy," said Rob to a solemn-visaged officia. who confronted him. "I want to have a little talk with him.""I--I--ah--beg pardon!" exclaimed the astounded master of ceremonies.

"What name, please?"

"Oh, never mind my name," replied Rob, and pushing the gentleman asid. he entered the audience chamber of the great king.

King Edward was engaged in earnest consultation with one of hi. ministers, and after a look of surprise in Rob's direction and a grav. bow he bestowed no further attention upon the intruder.

But Rob was not to be baffled now.

"Your Majesty," he interrupted, "I've important news for you. A bi. fight is taking place in South Africa and your soldiers will probabl. be cut into mince meat."The minister strode towards the boy angrily.

"Explain this intrusion!" he cried.

"I have explained. The Boers are having a regular killing-bee. Here! take a look at it yourselves."

He drew the Record from his pocket, and at the movement the ministe. shrank back as if he suspected it was an infernal machine and migh. blow his head off; but the king stepped quietly to the boy's side an. looked into the box when Rob threw open the lid.

As he comprehended the full wonder of the phenomenon he was observin. Edward uttered a low cry of amazement, but thereafter he silentl. gazed upon the fierce battle that still raged far away upon th. African VELD. Before long his keen eye recognized the troops engage. and realized their imminent danger.

"They'll be utterly annihilated!" he gasped. "What shall we do?""Oh, we can't do anything just now," answered Rob. "But it's curiou. to watch how bravely the poor fellows fight for their lives."The minister, who by this time was also peering into the box, groane. aloud, and then all three forgot their surroundings in the traged. they were beholding.