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            The general looked to his officers and some of them     nodded.  He then turned back to the king.  “Yes, Your     Majesty, we know the man of whom you speak.”            “I have given him a command, and he has shirked his     duty, disobeyed me, and has run away to join the military,”     the king said.            The concern written on their faces was evident.  It     was obvious they wondered what kind of command this     young man could have disobeyed for the king to come after     him himself, and what kind of man he was for the king to     bring a whole contingency along.  The king continued.  “I     want him brought to your headquarters, where I will meet     with him.  I do not want him treated roughly, for I will     mete out any punishment.  You are not to let him know that     it is I who seek him, nor anything of this; just that he is to     report to headquarters.  Is that understood?”            The general bowed.  “Yes, Your Majesty.”            The king continued.  “Some of us will come with     you.  I will tell you exactly what I want him told of my     visit, but he is to be told nothing until he is standing     outside the door of the room that I am in.  Is that clear?”            The general bowed again.  “Yes, Your Majesty.”            The king spoke sternly to the general.  “Lead on.”            The group rode solemnly to the military camp.  Only     five followed the army officers, and the rest were left to     make ready for the return journey.  Louise wanted to get     back to the castle as soon as possible, and had given orders     that as soon as they had Alexander, they were going to                                       117
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