“Fortunately,” Nikōs went on, “whenever I am living incognito at my little house in the mountains, which I had built myself so that I could enjoy my painting undisturbed, my Prime Minister has always been insistent, although I would not be aware of it, that I am watched in case of any attack on me.”
“So I should hope,” the King commented. “You are far too important to be left alone and unattended.”
“It was something that I have resented and tried to forget,” Nikōs replied, “but on this occasion I was very grateful.”
He looked at Thea lovingly as he went on,
“My invisible guard saw me being taken away, but he would have been powerless to tackle the bandits by himself even with the soldier who was with him. He therefore notified the nearest detachment of troops who came to our rescue as
