The King's Talisman — page 131: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

122 THE KING’S TALISMAN. ‘‘ Yes, sire,” replied the centurion, his countenance at the same time betraying the surprise the question had oc- casioned. ‘‘Then on the morrow take you a aniiciens gua and ar- rest both these censors and bring them before me.’ ‘¢ Moran and Velorus, sire?” fo Yes.” ‘‘ Of course your majesty knows what you are doing?” ‘‘ Dost think me demented?” half angrily exclaimed the king, in reply to Nabal’s question. ‘‘On the morrow the censors must both be arrested. You understand me?” ‘¢T understand the order, sire, and I am ready to obey it; but still I would warn thee that those two men may not be taken without just grounds.” ‘The centurion bowed low as he spoke, and then calmly awaited the king’s reply. ‘‘Centurion,” cried Modad, vexed beyond measure at the cool manner in which he was thus advised, but yet not giv- ing way to the anger that was perceptible in his heaving bosom, ‘‘I would have thee understand that the king of Petra dares do what he pleases. Did I choose to take half the citizens prisoners, I should do it without afear. Tell me, ” Nabal,” he continued, growing more excited, and striking his hand heavily upon his breast, ‘‘am I to bea king, and dare not exercise a king’s authority?” ‘““You do not understand me, sire,” meekly replied the centurion. ‘‘I meant not that your majesty had not the power, but yet you must be aware that the citizens have some rights upon which even a king may not trample with impunity. ‘I'he censors are the people’s arbiters, and you must blame me notif I tell thee that they are two firmly en- shrined within the pH och one of the citizens to be easily re- moved.” ‘‘Ha, centurion, thou speakest the truth!” Modad ex- claimed, while his eyes sparkled and flashed in their mad Gcomicbooks €O