THE UNKNOWN MR. KENT
"Why this haste? Got anything important to do?" asked Kent in bland surprise.
"I have," asserted the baron, crisply.
"Well, Provarsk, you can spare yourself the trouble," said Kent with the utmost sarcasm. "I know your full plans. I even surmised you might try to seize me and instructed Von Glutz, who, by the way, will be on hand with sufficient strength to act this very morning, that unless it became a question of saving my life he was not to interfere with you. With the exception of perhaps a half dozen men, the palace guard is still loyal and awaiting my orders. I could have summoned assistance last night with a single call!"
Provarsk looked incredulous. He concealed the fear that slowly gripped him, and snapped his fingers.
"Bluffing again," he said. "Come, my time is up."
"Going to read a proclamation to the people, or anything like that? If so you may as well save yourself the trouble. By this time the king is already reading his."
Provarsk's face, at this statement, went white with rage.
"You lie!" he shouted.
"I don't," calmly disputed Kent, in his turn arising to his feet. "I've already returned him his concession and he is by this time presenting
[257]
