He laughed with such open good-humor that Nathaniel found himself smiling despite the varied unpleasant sensations within him.  “Do you write much?” he asked.

“I get out a daily paper,” said the king rather proudly, “and of course, as prophet, I am the translator of what word may be handed down to us from Heaven for the direction and commandment of my people.  I hold the secret of the Urim and Thummin, which was first delivered by angels into the hands of Joseph, and with it have revealed the word of God as it appears in a book which I have written.  Ah—­I had forgotten this!” From among a mass of papers and books on the table he drew forth a blue-covered pamphlet and passed it to his companion.  “I have only a few copies left but you may have this one, Captain Plum.  It will surely interest you.  In it I have set forth the troubles existing between my own people and the cyprian-rotted criminals that infest Mackinac and the mainland and have described our struggle for chastity and honor against these human vultures.  It was published two years ago.  But conditions are different to-day.  Now—­now I am king, and the oppressors in the filth of their crime have become the oppressed!”

The last words boomed from him in a slogan of triumph and as if in echoing mockery there came from the open door the chuckling, mirthless laugh of Obadiah Price.

“Yea—­yea—­even into the land of the Lamanites are you king!”

At the sound of his voice Strang turned toward him and the sonorous triumph that rumbled in his throat faded to a low greeting.  And Nathaniel saw that the little old councilor’s eyes glittered boldly as they met the prophet’s and that in their glance was neither fear nor servitude but rather a light as of master meeting master.  The two advanced and clasped hands and a few low words passed between them while Nathaniel went to the door.

“I will go with you, Captain Nathaniel Plum,” called Obadiah.  “I will go with you and show you the town.”

“The councilor will be your friend,” added Strang.  “To-day he carries with him that authority from the king.”

He bowed and Nathaniel passed through the door.  Looking back he caught a last warning flash from the girl’s eyes.  As he hurried down the stair he heard the councilor pause for an instant upon the landing and taking advantage of this opportunity he picked up the bit of crumpled paper, and read these lines: 

“Hurry to your ship.  In another hour men will be watching for an opportunity to kill you.  You will never leave the island alive—­unless you go now.  The girl you saw through the window sends you this warning.”

He thrust the paper into his coat pocket as Obadiah came up behind him.

“Ho, ho, Nat, my boy, I have come fast to catch you—­I have come fast!” he whispered.  He caught his companion by the arm and Nathaniel felt his hand trembling violently.  “Come this way, Nat—­beyond the temple.  I have things to say to you.”  His voice was strangely unnatural and when Captain Plum looked down into his face the look in the bead-like eyes startled him.  “Nat, you must hurry away with the package!”