by Frank Cobb
CHAPTER XIV
Lawrence slept for hours. When at last he awoke he saw that they werecircling above a large city bright with flags and bunting.
"Getting dolled up for the Prince's coming-out party," Hank said as heleaned far over and levelled the glasses on the brilliant broad streetsbelow. Throngs of people passed to and fro, and one and all staredupward at the dirigible as it came slowly downward. Not until they hadlocated a beautiful villa nestling among the trees of a vast park on theoutskirts of the city did Mr. Ridgeway give the order to descend. A milefrom the villa there was a large aviation field and there they landed. Adelegation approached composed entirely of admirals, or so it seemed toHank and Bill and Lawrence, so loaded with gold braid were they and soovertopped with plumes.
Mr. Ridgeway showed no nervousness at all and entered a big automobile,while Hank and Bill lifted in the big hyolax case and sat themselvesdown on either side of it as a sort of guard. They were still in theiraviation clothes, which Mr. Ridgeway said would be considered a uniform.As they started off, another company of admirals deployed around acorner, overtook them on the run, and trotted along on all sides of thecar, which was forced to proceed at a crawl. Sitting on the back seatwith Lawrence, Mr. Ridgeway looked stern enough to quell any number ofadmirals. The bandage under his hat was commented on frequently in atongue the boys had never before heard. It was a short ride to the gatesof the great park, and there another automobile was waiting, withanother guard. These seemed to be the "pick of the whole b'ilin'," asHank said, for the admirals were in pale blue uniforms and were a headtaller than the others.
Here Mr. Ridgeway, after seeing that the cylinder was placed on the seatin front of him, took out his automatic and rested it across his knees.
The boys were to wait for him at the gates. A number of the pale-bluesoldiers mounted the running boards and hung on behind; the othersclosed in on either side and the car moved slowly out of sight, whilethe guardian closed the center leaves of the gates, leaving only asmaller gate open at either side.
Hank leaned back and sighed.
"Well, _don't_ that beat you?" he said. "Wish we could go up and seewhat the queen looks like. I bet she is nifty lookin'. Nuthin' to do butload on the jewelry, and try on crowns.
"We have had some awful democratic, commonplace kings and queens back inWashington last few years, but I bet that's all put on. They want to putit over on us; make a hit with the unions and all that when they comevisitin'; but I bet when they are home it's different. Now that princethe party is for: it's his coming-of-age party, Mr. Ridgeway said."
"Yes, but even that is different," said Bill. "Mr. Ridgeway told me theheir to the throne here in this country is of age when he is fifteen.That's so if anything should happen to the king, the boy could go rightto kinging it without any lawyers having to be hired to make outpapers."
"Fifteen, eh?" mused Hank. "I'd like to see him now. I seen a picture inthe Corcoran Art Gallery. It was named _The Young Prince_. He was all ofthat, I will say; with a long blanket like around him, and ribbons onhis golf pants and a hat all feathers."
"Oh, you make me tired!" said Bill. "I seen that pitcher myself. Thatguy was born way back--back before the Cuban war."
A violent discussion seemed started, but a diversion was made by thesudden appearance of a bareheaded lad on a shabby bicycle. He cametearing through the small gate, saw the automobile drawn up at the sideof the road in the shade, checked his pace, and with a shake of the headas though asking for silence, he dismounted, threw his wheel into thetall grass, and running around the car, lay down along the runningboard. So rapidly had he acted that no one had had time to speak, andimmediately another bicyclist trundled through the gate. This time itwas a ruddy-faced, middle-aged man with a couple of books strapped overhis shoulder, a butterfly net across his chest, and a tin box rattlingon his hip. He rode like a man in a hurry, gave one uninterested glanceat the occupants of the auto, and rattled on, gazing earnestly down thedusty road.
The boy at once sat up.
"Thanks!" he said in a pleasant voice, and with very little accent."That was a close shave. If I had had to catch another butterfly today Ishould have exploded. He will ride ten miles or so looking for me!" Hechuckled wickedly.
"What do _you_ have to learn about butterflies for? You are no girl!"said Hank scornfully.
"That's what _I_ say," said the boy, smiling cheerfully at Lawrence."They don't stick you with that sort of stuff in England. My people sentme over there to school for awhile, and it was great. Are you English?"he asked Lawrence.
"American," answered Lawrence.
"Better yet!" said the boy. "Not that England isn't all right, but theysay America is so big and so roomy and a fellow can do as he pleases."
"Not much he can't," said Hank bitterly. "I never seen anything like it.It's 'don't step on the grass,' and 'don't pick the flowers,' and 'don'ttease the animals,' and 'don't chip a piece of this here house for asooveneer.' Don't, don't, don't every way a feller turns!"
The boy looked surprised.
"Why should anyone _want_ to tease the animals or chip pieces off thehouses?" he asked.
"They don't," replied Hank. "At least they don't 'til some smart Alecksticks up a sign and puts it into their heads. And then of course theygotter."
"Oh, well," said the boy, "there are lots of other things you can dothat you can't do here."
"Not much, I bet," said Hank, but Bill interrupted.
"Don't be forever kickin' on your home town," he said. "It does rub methe wrong way. You are a regular Bullsheevikky."
"They ain't any more of them," said Hank triumphantly.
"What is your name?" asked the boy of Lawrence.
"Lawrence Petit," said Lawrence. "What is yours?"
"Modo," said the boy.
"Sounds like a girl," said Hank, "but I will say you don't look thepart. I should say you look like a real honest-to-goodness feller."
"I am glad of that," said the boy simply. "Names don't mean much."
"Not sometimes," replied Hank. "I bet the young Prince in there don'tanswer to anything simple as that Modo. I bet he has a name long as yourarm, even just with his own folks."
"He means the one that's going to have the party," explained Bill.
"Oh, the crown prince!" said the boy, rumpling up his black hair. "Hehas a lot of names. Seven, I think."
"Whee!" said Hank. "Think of that! Every time his mother calls him,calling like John-Henry-George-Washington-Christopher-Columbus-James."
The boy laughed until he cried. "I don't believe they use them all atonce," he said. Then he turned to Lawrence. "If you are an American, youknow all about football, don't you?" he said. "The boys here don't knowhow to play it, and I am crazy to start a team. The English game is notlike the American at all, they say."
Lawrence hopped out of the car, eager to talk on his favorite subject,for next to flying he loved football. Together the boys wandered downthe slope, and sitting at the foot of a tree with their knees drawn up,they chewed grass roots while they discussed the great American game.After awhile they returned to the car and sat on the running-board whileLawrence wrote his address for Modo, who was going to write to him forsome books on the subject. Hank and Bill, smoking lazily in the car,leaned over with words of advice.
They had been sitting there only a few minutes when another bicyclistrolled through the small gate. This time the rider was in the uniform ofa house servant, impressive with silk stockings and much gold lace. Hespied Modo, and with an abrupt motion stopped his wheel and dismountedwith a low bow.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty desires your attendance," he remarked to theboy impressively, bowed again and, backing off a pace, mounted his wheeland went back through the gate.
"Mother is all fussed up about this party," said Modo smiling. "And Isuppose she wants to drill me in something. It is an awful nuisance." Helooked at Hank and laughed. "I hope you don't mind," he said. "And they_don't_ call me all
seven names every time!" He waved a merry good-byeto the petrified airmen, shook hands with Lawrence, and promising towrite soon, ran off, trundling his wheel.
"Somebody pinch me!" begged Hank, after a long pause. "_Your Highness_and me joshing him about his name, and all that!"
"A real boy!" ejaculated Bill.
"Yes, sir! Nuthin' but a _real boy_! Kind you see anywhere. And thecrown prince! 'Mother is all fussed up' says he. Well, I am in mother'sclass on that! Say, he's dropped his pencil! I'm goin' to keep it. Gosh,this will make talk back home. 'One morning in Morania,' says I, 'me andModo was talkin'.' 'Modo who?' says somebody, and I says, 'Why, you nut,don't you study hist'ry? I mean His Highness the Crown Prince Modo ofMorania!' And then I'll flash this pencil with a crown printed on theside of it. Wow!"
"Well, thank goodness we come!" said Bill. "Now you have something togas about besides accidents and murders."
"You bet!" said Hank, and fell silent.
A moment later Modo came hurrying through the gate on his wheel. Hedismounted, and flashing his bright and friendly smile mounted therunning-board of the car.
"They are going to make a big fuss over my birthday," he said, "and somemedals have been struck off to commemorate it. I thought you might eachlike one since you won't be here to the party. I am to give them out andpin them on myself." He fastened glittering medals on Lawrence, Bill andHank as he spoke.
"There!" he said. "Don't forget me! Good-bye! It was great fun to bejust a boy. Good-bye, Lawrence! Don't you forget to write and send meall the football news!"
He mounted his wheel and disappeared for the last time.
"And they says," murmured Hank, "they says 'Whatcher got on?' and Isays, 'Where?' and they says, 'Why, that breas'pin!' and I says, 'Oh, alittle decoration the Crown Prince of Morania gimme.' Big stuff, eh?" heprodded Bill gaily.
"These are beauties all the same," said Lawrence, "and here comes Mr.Ridgeway."
Talking in "close formation," as you might say, they displayed theirmedals and recounted their incident. Mr. Ridgeway also had a medal, andanother decoration as well: a broad purple ribbon with a gold GreekCross blazing with jewels. It was to signify that he had been made amember of the Order of the Crown. "For bringing back the jewels," heexplained, laughing.
"When do we start home, Mr. Ridgeway?" asked Hank.
"Do you men want to look around the city for an hour or so?"
"I don't," said Hank. "I seen it from above, and there's no use wastingtime."
"All right then; we will go back to the dirigible and start for ourlittle baby republic. I should have made that my first errand, but thissaves a few hundred miles, and I want to get to England as soon as Ican."
As they rolled along toward the aviation field, Mr. Ridgeway outlinedtheir plans.
He was anxious for a rest. After visiting the President of the newrepublic, he wanted Hank and Bill to drop Lawrence and himself down atthe country house where Mrs. Ridgeway was staying. There they would stopuntil the dirigible was in order. Then one of them could report and Mr.Ridgeway would motor over to the plane and look it over. They could thendivide, and take the ships back to the United States.
"You may like to stay and return with Mrs. Ridgeway and myself," hesaid, turning to Lawrence.
The boy shook his head.
"I must go back, sir. I have something very important to do."
"You won't think so after you get acquainted with Mrs. Ridgeway," saidMr. Ridgeway. "Everyone is crazy over her, and she likes boys."
"I would like to stay," said Lawrence, "but it seems as if the businessjust couldn't wait a day."
"Well, we will talk it over later," said Mr. Ridgeway. "Perhaps I canhelp you. At all events, I will take you with me until the dirigible ismended. It will not be a long job. I hope O'Brien is feeling well. Hemust have been stiff and sore after that bout. We will have a lot totell Mrs. Ridgeway."
They got the dirigible up safely and sailed off in the direction of theyoung republic, Bill declaring that hobnobbing with royalty had utterlyruined Hank as a machinist.
Four hours later they had reached their destination and were once morewaiting for Mr. Ridgeway to get through the complicated ceremonies ofmeeting the heads of the new nation. Messengers raced here and there,telephones buzzed, lights flashed up in the state hall, and finallywhile Lawrence and the others dozed in the lobby of the nearest hotel,the President and Cabinet indicated their readiness to receive themessenger from the big republic across the sea.
An hour later, when Mr. Ridgeway saw that the meeting was to be a longone, apparently to impress him, he telephoned to the patient waiters tohave supper. They obeyed with great cheer and then settled themselvesfor another long wait.
When Mr. Ridgeway finally appeared it was so late and his bruised headwas throbbing so that Lawrence suggested spending the night there.
Hank and Bill went back to the dirigible, and Mr. Ridgeway secured alarge room with twin beds for himself and Lawrence. It was a comfortablenovelty to find themselves between clean sheets again, and they werealmost too comfortable to go to sleep immediately.
So they talked awhile, of the fight, and Van Arsdale, and the jewels,and the journey, and its pleasant ending, and a hundred times Lawrencestarted to tell Mr. Ridgeway about himself and stopped. More and morethe feeling had come that perhaps there was nothing in it after all, andin that case he decided that no one should ever guess what high hopeshad filled him, or what black disappointment had followed.
