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diff --git a/46735-8.txt b/46735-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ad9ea7c..0000000 --- a/46735-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11975 +0,0 @@ - VICTOR VICTORIOUS - - - - -This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. If you are not located in the United -States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are -located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Victor Victorious -Author: Cecil Starr Johns -Release Date: August 30, 2014 [EBook #46735] -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VICTOR VICTORIOUS *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - - VICTOR - VICTORIOUS - - - BY CECIL STARR JOHNS - - - - LONDON: JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD - NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY - MCMXV - - - - - THE ANCHOR PRESS, LTD., TIPTREE, ESSEX, ENGLAND - - - - - TO - IRMA - MY WIFE - - - - - _*AUTHOR'S NOTE*_ - -_This book was written in the spring of_ 1913--_fifteen months before -the outbreak of the present war._ - -_September_, 1915. - - - - - *VICTOR VICTORIOUS* - - - - *CHAPTER I* - - -It was a magnificent tree, old and stately; it was, moreover, the first -cause of grief that I can remember. Its foliage in summer afforded much -shade, and in the mornings when the sun was shining caused patterns to -appear on the floor of my nursery; my sorrow was, that I could not -fasten the pattern to the floor with tacks, tacks of the ordinary tin -variety, which I had procured from goodness only knows where. I tried -again and again, weeping bitterly at my want of success. I wept still -more bitterly when my nurse returned; but that is a detail which has -nothing to do with these memoirs, it is a sacred thing not to be spoken -of lightly. - -Such is the first of my remembrances, and I was then between three and -four years of age. After that, my memories are confused and not -particularly interesting, much the same, I daresay, as many millions of -children can look back on: childish miseries, mishaps and pleasures, but -always of the same place and the same people. - -The house we lived in was not large, but the garden was; a splendid -garden full of flowers, trees and shrubs, wild places and rockeries, -while at the end flowed a tributary of the Thames, which to my childish -vision was a most noble river. I imagine that its importance increased -every time I was warned against going near the edge; and, as this -injunction was repeatedly laid upon me, the Amazon or the Mississippi -must have been mere streams in comparison. As, however, I obeyed and -religiously refrained from falling in, I can only suppose that in those -days I was singularly obedient, and also lacking in enterprise. - -I remember my nurse; she was a most lovable woman, with a comfortable -lap and nice kind arms. She let me have my own way; and I am sure I -loved her very much. - -Then, of course, there was my mother, but somehow my childish memories -of her are vague. I fancy I was a little bit frightened when in her -company, for no reason that I can recall, excepting the fact that she -smiled so seldom. - -And then there was my great friend, Bauen, a very dark and swarthy man -who attended to the horse and pony. I loved him best of all. He was a -peculiarly silent person, who never spoke unless directly addressed, and -never wasted words when replying. He worshipped my mother and myself. I -remember one occasion, when I attacked him with a switch because I was -angry with him--I was only five at the time, so I could not have hurt -him much--he just stood and looked at me, with his eyes full of tears, -until I felt like a little beast and cried too, imploring him to forgive -me. - -I couldn't understand why, when I put my arm round his neck and kissed -him, he only kissed my hand in return. That was the only time we ever -had a difference of opinion, and I believe then only because I wished -for the impossible. It was Bauen who first set me astride the pony's -back and taught me most of what I know of horses and riding; knowledge -which has been of great value to me. - -He also would keep me quiet for hours with wonderful stories, of which -he seemed to have a never ending supply, tales of giants and fairy folk, -which I know now were the legendary doings of the ancient heroes of his -own country. It is wonderful to me that children can remember the fairy -tales of their early years, and to this day I can recall my thrills at -the story of the prince who turned himself into an ivy plant so that, -when it had grown up a tall tower, a princess could use it as a means of -escape. I had plenty of time to listen to these stories, for I never -had any playmates of my own age. Not knowing the joys of companionship, -I experienced no pain at the lack of comrades; nor were my days unhappy, -for they were carefully arranged by my mother; so much work, and then -perfect freedom to do what I wished, as long as I did not stray from the -garden. - -At an early age I could read and write, not English but French. My -education at that time was a source of great perplexity to me: my -infantile mind could never hope to understand the reason why, just when -I was able to speak in one language, I was switched on to another; but -so it was. In this way I learnt to a certain extent French, German, -English, and lastly a language which my mother spoke when addressing her -women, and which she assured me, one day, was the language spoken by the -people of my own race: Rudarlian. I do not remember that this -information added much to my pleasure in learning the language, I do not -think that at that early age nationality troubled me a great deal. - -However, I must have been born with a gift for languages, and they all -came easily. In after years I appreciated the value of the teaching, -for I found it had given me command over the subtleties of -pronunciation. - -Most of my days were spent in the following manner: I was out of bed -very early, summer and winter, every morning starting with a cold bath -and simple exercises; then came breakfast, after which half an hour was -allowed for a scamper in the garden, a visit to the stables, and then -work until eleven o'clock. - -From eleven until one, my time was occupied by play and dinner, a meal -rather too ceremonious for my liking; then, work again until two-thirty. -Of course, as I grew older, these hours were altered, and my play was -curtailed, a thing which did not cause me any unhappiness, as I loved my -books, chiefly owing to the intelligent methods of instruction, which -leads me to further acquaintances--two men. - -One, about forty-five years of age, appearing considerably older on -account of his grey-tinged hair, came to visit my mother once every -year. - -At first whenever he came my mother appeared unhappy; so much so that -when I was six I connected his appearance with my mother's tears, and -threatened him with I know not what. She, however, put her arms round -me and assured me that Mr. Smith was the best friend she had. - -Mr. Smith--Mr. Smith. In those days I never thought that I should owe -you so much. - -He it was who introduced Mr. Neville to my mother. - -Mr. Neville became my tutor. He is another to whom I owe much, very -much, but my indebtedness to him is of a different kind from my -indebtedness to Mr. Smith. - -I was eight when my tutor appeared upon the scene; tall and -broad-shouldered, a fine athlete, an ex-university don, and, as I found -later, strong in every sense. - -He had a method of teaching peculiarly his own, simple, practical, and -yet full of the most complete wisdom. His teaching awoke my childish -interest; under his handling, dry facts of history became fraught with -vivid life, and that perhaps was the study which fascinated me the most. -He showed me the indirect effects of various actions, proving how nearly -always they are more potent and far-reaching than the direct. Dates, -the plague of most childish brains, he never troubled about. - -With wonderful word pictures, he conjured up before my eyes the lives -and deeds of long-dead heroes and monarchs, pointing out their failings, -explaining their actions. His knowledge was vast, I realise that now; -he would encourage me to observe everything, and he was never wearied of -explaining the why and the wherefore. - -In matters geographical it was the same. Not content with teaching me -the names of cities, rivers, etc., he would take me mentally to the -places we spoke of, informing me of their imports, exports, mineral -wealth, and chief manufactures, giving me brief historical lectures to -explain the reason for certain boundaries, describing the lives, rural -and urban, of the inhabitants, discoursing on their modes of conveyance, -fighting power, anything--everything. He assisted his words with -photographs. Perhaps if I had had boy companions, I should have been a -worse pupil; I don't know. As it was, I sat, metaphorically speaking, -in rapt adoration, drinking in his words, remembering much, thank God. - -Even arithmetic was made interesting after I had mastered the first -simple rules. Owing to the thorough grounding I had from him, I seem -all my life to have had a deep sense of arithmetical proportion, not -only in figures but in the events of every-day life. - -His lessons were short; I was never given more at one time than I could -assimilate; the moment that he noticed the slightest falling off of my -attention he would cease. "Now," he would say, "that's enough for the -moment, let us go and exercise our bodies." - -Away we would go, in any weather, for a walk or swim, a ride, or row up -the silent little stream. Even then my instruction went on, not that I -was aware of it at the time, but by subtle little observations which led -me to ask questions and take an interest in all forms of life. - -When he came, I saw much less of my mother; she was a great many times -away from home, sometimes for days, sometimes for months. In my -childish way, I observed changes in her, not in her manner to me--that -was always kind and affectionate, though withal a trifle stately--but in -appearance. - -She dressed more in colours, and seemed gayer and less wrapped up in her -own thoughts. With perfect confidence I mentioned my thoughts one day -to Mr. Neville, but he laughingly declared that it was owing to his -presence, as now she had not the worry of looking after me. - -"I did not think that I was a great worry," I said innocently. - -"No, my boy, I don't imagine you could have been," and his hand rested a -moment upon my head. "So we must look elsewhere, mustn't we?" - -"Yes, but I should like to know, because I might help." - -"Not at present, I think; some day, perhaps, when you are older. You -see, your mother has had a great deal of trouble in her life, but even -troubles lose their poignancy after years; so take my advice and wait -patiently. When the time comes you will be told without a doubt." - -By this time I had such absolute faith in my tutor that I accepted what -he said without hesitation; and thought no more of the matter. - -When I was ten years old, a great change took place. My mother married -again--an American. - -It came quite suddenly, this marriage. I had no idea, no thought of -possessing a stepfather; presumably, I was too young to understand or be -bothered with information. - -My own father was more of a myth than a reality; I had no memory of him, -he was rarely mentioned by my mother, and my nurse would only answer my -questions concerning my progenitor in a vague manner. That he had been -a soldier, I gathered from the fact that he had been killed at the head -of his own regiment; Mr. Neville had told me that, during a lesson -dealing with the history of Rudarlia. - -Had I been older, I might have wondered at the way in which I was taught -the intimate history of such a small kingdom, far more minutely, indeed, -than that of great powers like England or France. - -During this lesson I read that King Merlin I of Rudarlia had been killed -in a revolution, his cousin ascending the throne. - -"I wonder if my father was there?" I asked. - -"Yes, he was there." - -"Was he a soldier?" - -"Yes." - -"Did he get killed?" - -"Yes, he was killed at the head of his regiment." - -"Oh!" - -I remember that, in my dreaming for months after that, I pictured a man -resembling in turn Mr. Neville and Bauen at the head of a magnificent -regiment, charging, killing, and behaving like one of those old heroes -with whom I was familiar. - -But to return to my stepfather. He was a man of about fifty, very tall, -and handsome, possessing the musical, low-pitched voice of the Americans -from the more Southern States. - -At first his coming made little difference to me, I accepted his -presence in much the same spirit as I accepted most things; Mr. Neville -and my mother were there, so it must be all right. - -I can see now that it showed consummate tact on his part to behave as he -did to me. He never sought me, never objected to my presence with my -mother, never assumed any kind of parental prerogative; but, instead, -suited his conversation to my understanding, asked my opinion gravely in -small matters, and related many tales of adventure, in such a way as to -leave me ready for more. Above all, he made me realise that he would -like my affection. - -He it was who gave me my first horse. I had always ridden the pony, so -it was a great joy to me to be able to accompany Mr. Neville on an -animal equal in height to his. Then again, it was my stepfather who -first taught me to box, use the rapier, and shoot with a revolver, -himself superintending my efforts with the greatest care; until from -being a stranger he became a friend, one whom I could love, trust, and -admire, nearly as much as Mr. Neville. Whenever I think of those two -men, my thoughts are almost hushed, they were so good, so kind, so -perfectly unselfish to me, with no ulterior motive besides my -well-being, both for the time and the future. - -They gave me of their best, mentally, physically, and morally. - -Perhaps the chief thing I learnt from them was a sense of duty. -Whenever there was something to be done, each put the question before -me, for me to decide whether I considered it obligatory on me. They -would advise thought first before deciding, and then would say no more. -They were very good friends, these two. - -Mr. Smith continued his yearly visits, but now each time he came the -three men and my mother would hold a solemn conclave from which I was -excluded. - -He was becoming to me something more than the apparition of former -years, as he would talk more to me, showing a considerable amount of -interest in my studies, and would ask permission to send me books, which -were mostly stories of war. - -War was a subject which appealed to me, for my feelings towards soldiers -were almost sacred. - -My stepfather had given me a great number of small leaden warriors, and -I fancy that he must have had them made for me, as they were absolutely -complete in detail. They consisted not only of the actual fighting men, -but artillery, commissariat, red-cross waggons, and engineers. - -With these, when the weather permitted, we would adjourn to the garden, -and on a patch of rough ground fight out the great battles of history. - -Perhaps ten little pieces of lead counted as at regiment, or one small -brass cannon a whole battery; it did not matter, the main thing being -that the opposing armies should be as near as possible to the actual -strength of the armies they represented. It would have amused people -perhaps to have seen the group we made: two elderly men and one small -boy absolutely engrossed in their game; if it could be so termed. - -Personally, I have never underrated the effect it had on me, and I trace -the success I have met with in real warfare to the accuracy and care we -expended on these occasions. Naturally many questions had to be asked, -and these were generally answered by my stepfather, who was a great -authority on all things pertaining to war. How he could make the -necessary leisure to play with me I cannot understand, for his must have -been a very strenuous life, although I did not realise it at the time. - -Two more years went by, and then I was informed that it had been decided -to send me to school, an idea which at first did not greatly charm me. -It had never entered my head that I should ever be a schoolboy, it had -seemed to me that I was apart somehow from all other boys, and although -I had read books of school life, they had never appeared real to me, -most probably because I had never known anyone of my own age. - -When the thought obtained a firm footing in my mind, it began to wear a -more interesting aspect, for I conjured up alluring adventures, and -finally grew to like the idea so much that I was all excitement for the -entrance examination. - -The only drawback that I could perceive, was the fact that I should have -to leave Mr. Neville, and my mother and stepfather. It was difficult to -conceive life without them, but they one and all pooh-poohed that side -of it, and told me that it was high time that I got away from their -apron strings. In spite of this Spartan argument, I know they were very -sorry when the day came for me to depart. - -I passed my entrance examination too well, rather too brilliantly, and -was therefore put into a class with boys a good deal my senior; -consequently my first term was not all my fancy had painted it. At -first, I foolishly imagined that school was the place for work, so -endangering my reputation by being looked upon as a "swot," and -something of a prig. Realising this and recognising my shortcomings, I -scrupulously refrained from working hard and devoted myself to games. - -The senior I fagged for was a nice, kind chap who treated me with great -consideration for the first few days, but after that he treated me in a -way that was essentially good for my soul. He did, however, explain -many little difficulties in regard to games and encouraged me to go in -for them hot and strong. - -With the majority of my schoolfellows I was on good terms; I had the -usual number of scuffles which could not be called fights, only one -coming under that category; that was with a fellow whom I disliked -heartily, for no particular reason; he returned the feeling and tried to -bully. - -We therefore set to in good earnest; he was two years older and a good -deal bigger; it is undoubtedly true that I should have received a -thrashing, had it not been for the tuition I had received from my -stepfather. I held my own for ten rounds, when we were stopped by a -prefect. I had a beautiful black eye and a cut lip, as well as sundry -bruises. My opponent, ditto, ditto; he looked worse, however, because -he was full-blooded. - -My reputation went up enormously after that. We never finished that -scrap, but used to conduct ourselves civilly towards each other. It is -wonderful how a tussle can clear the air. - -I made a friend that day, Rupert Carruthers, the second son of the Earl -of Yelverton. He is still my friend. - -My stepfather was delighted when he heard of this fight, and joked with -Mr. Neville about it. - -"We shall have him in the ring one of these days, eh, Neville?" - -"Ah! he might be happier so." A remark which at the time was -unintelligible to me. - -I do not think my mother was pleased, she said nothing. - -These were very happy years; I did as little work as I could, but I -played games with every ounce in me, hence I became a good all-round -athlete. - -In the holidays I studied with Mr. Neville to make up my lapses of the -term, and I found it quite enjoyable; he always had the power of making -me think more clearly than anyone else ever had. - -My stepfather encouraged me in sport of all kinds, boxing, foiling, -swimming, rowing, and shooting. He had had a magnificent gymnasium built -in the garden and had also rigged up a shooting range for revolver -practice. - -I believe if I had been the veriest fool and lubber, these two men would -have made me different. - -My great chum, Carruthers, and I were inseparable, and sometimes -exchanged visits to each other's homes. I remember the first time he -came to our place; when we went to bed he slipped into my room, which -adjoined his, to have a chat. We could both of us do well in that line. -This night, however, he did most of the talking, chiefly eulogising my -stepfather and Mr. Neville; he spoke with a keen appreciation of their -qualities, especially of those I most admired in them; which showed, now -I think of it, a perspicacity I had not credited him with. - -My mother had received him kindly, but with that unapproachableness -which often mystified me; and he was almost shy when speaking of her. I -chaffed him about his nervousness when she asked for an explanation of -the nickname he always used when speaking to me: "Splosh." Of course he -could not give any reason, as there was none to give; but he managed to -murmur that I was called Splosh, by every one, because I looked like it. - -This lucid explanation was sufficient and convulsing for my stepfather -and Mr. Neville, but did not seem to charm that dear mother of mine. - -Carruthers' last remarks that night were: "What a lovely mother you -have, Splosh." - -"Yes, she is," I said. - -"I think I should be scared of her." - -"Why?" - -"I dunno, but I should. Good night." - -If he had waited, I might have confessed that sometimes I felt the same -myself. - -Mr. Smith came for his yearly visit that month; he took quiet notice of -Carruthers. - -Towards me his manner had changed slightly. He was, I thought at the -time, rather ceremonious; but he gave me some splendid lessons with the -foils, and I forgot about it. He stayed longer than usual, and his -conversations with my mother were more drawn out. - -It was about this time that a vague feeling first entered my head about -my mother; I fancied there was some mystery attached to her, and I in no -way desired that such a thing should be. The strange reticence every -one showed when I endeavoured to ask questions about my family, the -periodical visits of Mr. Smith, the care taken to exclude me from all -their conversations, all these things made me wonder, and then -Carruthers asked me one day to show him a picture of my father. - -Picture of my father, picture of my father? I had never seen one; it -struck me that this was extraordinary, almost as extraordinary as the -fact that never before had I wished to see one. There had never been -one that I could remember, no painting, drawing, not even a photograph, -but I did not like to tell Carruthers that, so I made some excuse, and -slipped away. - -The desire to know what my father looked like became very strong, -mingled with a feeling almost of shame; he may have loved me, petted me, -planned out my future, and yet I had never given him more than a passing -thought. In fact, I had grown to look upon my stepfather as my real -parent and certainly cared for him that way. - -When I slipped away from my chum, I got into a boat and pulled up the -river to my favourite lounging place, and then I spent an hour or two, -lying on my back, staring at the sky and vainly striving to explain what -now I was convinced was a mystery. I recalled the early visits of Mr. -Smith, when my mother used to cry; could it be that my father had -committed some crime? Surely not, but why was he never mentioned, why -were there no pictures of him in the house? - -I was in a mood full of curiosity, but this soon changed to one of -anger, I don't quite know why, unless I thought that I was old enough to -be told anything there was to know. - -In this angry state I rowed back and stumped straight up to the house, -no doubt with great dignity. - -My mother was sitting talking to Mr. Smith and my stepfather. - -"Why, Victor, how flushed you look; is there anything the matter?" asked -my mother. - -"Can I speak to you a minute, mother?" - -"Of course, what is it?" - -I blushed furiously, and blamed my own precipitation. Why had I not -waited a better opportunity? I could not ask the question I wanted to -ask with the others there; but I had to say something, and so blurted -out: - -"Oh, it does not matter now, mother." - -I believe that Mr. Smith made a sign to my stepfather, because they both -rose, and, after mentioning billiards, disappeared. - -I glanced round hurriedly; this was better. - -"Mother." - -"Yes, Victor." - -"I want to see a photograph of my father." - -Her face grew very cold and stern. Without a word she got up and walked -slowly into the house; I followed. In her boudoir she handed me a -miniature--I did not look to see where she took it from--and so, for the -first time that I had remembrance of, I saw my father's face. I don't -know what I thought of the face, but the eyes were kind eyes. I stared -long and fixedly at the miniature; various feelings surged through me, -far too subtle to describe. - -At last I handed it back. - -"Thank you, mother," I said. - -"Is that all you wished, are you satisfied now?" - -"No, I can't say that I am satisfied, because there are so many things I -wish to know; is there any reason why I should not be told about him?" - -"There is, Victor." - -"But it is nothing wrong, is it?" - -"Wrong? My God! yes! it is wrong, but it does not take from your -father's name. Listen to me, Victor; you are growing into a man, when -the time comes, you shall be told many things, until then wait -patiently, my boy, I promise that you shall know everything." - - - - - *CHAPTER II* - - -I now knew that there was something mysterious about my parentage--the -interview with my mother had at least settled that point--but all the -certainty in the world could not prevent my mind continually turning to -it, and this had rather a curious effect upon me: it made me quite -humble-minded. I do not mean to imply that my normal state was -bumptious beyond the ordinary, but it had a chastening effect upon my -mind. I disliked the thought of the unknown. I desired to have a -father whom I could speak of without any kind of doubt. As it was, I -found it necessary, upon several occasions, to slur over any allusions -to him, and schoolboys are not always tactful in their dealings with -reticence. However, the fact that he had been a soldier generally -proved sufficient to satisfy the curiosity of the inquirer. - -Another thing which annoyed, or rather chafed me was the length of time -that must necessarily elapse before I could know, for I had no doubt -that it would not be until I came of age. - -My disturbed state of mind did not prevent me enjoying my life -immensely; and at eighteen I found myself in a very enviable position in -the school, and one which I believe was a record in its way, for I was -captain of the school, and also captain of the cricket eleven. I may -say that the latter was by far the more important post in my eyes, and -certainly much the nicer. - -I take no credit for being the best boxer and fencer in the school, for -I had done both since very early childhood, and had had most excellent -instructors. - -It was a great shock to me to learn that I was to leave school, it -seemed to be the most complete upheaval I had ever experienced. I hated -the idea, it caused me an infinite amount of real trouble to get myself -into the proper frame of mind to behave decently about it. Yet, had I -thought, I might have recalled numerous hints that I had received from -my people, and which would have prepared me better; presumably I had -been so engrossed in my own little affairs that I had not paid too much -attention. - -I shall never forget the last day of that term, I felt as though I was -going to execution, and absolutely beastly; had I been a girl I should -have cried my eyes out. With the eyes of my world upon me, however, I -had to make a brave show, and say good-bye to every one and everything; -and lastly I had to have an interview with the head-master. I had, -naturally, had much to do with him as captain of the school, and we were -very good friends. - -He was a short, thickset man with a great white beard, who bore a -tremendous reputation for severity among the boys; but those among them -who got to know him found a warm-hearted, kindly, genial man. After -speaking with me for some time he said good-bye, adding a few words -which I shall never forget. - -"My boy," he said, "I have this to say to you: no matter where you are, -or what befalls you, remember that over us all, king or peasant, there -is God. Turn to Him in your troubles, thank Him for your joys. That you -will do your duty through life, I feel assured, however hard it may be, -however irksome. The love you have inspired in your comrades will, I -hope, be inspired by you in the world; I, and others, will pray for you -in the future. May God keep you in his sight." - -I could not help wondering, as I left his study, why such emphasis had -been laid upon my future. What did it portend, did the head-master know -anything of which I was ignorant perhaps, for since my interview with my -mother two years before, I had made no further inquiries. - -When I was home again, I found that they were beginning to treat me as a -man; and for three months or more I spent my time in sport. By which I -do not mean killing things, that was a pursuit I never really cared for. - -Towards the end of this time Carruthers paid me a visit from Sandhurst, -into which he had passed a year or so before I left school; after his -visit I began to wonder what I should do with my life. His stories of -the great military college had fired me with a desire for the army. - -It was after dinner some three nights following his departure that I -broached the subject of my future. - -"I wish to know what vocation you think I am suited for?" - -I spoke collectively. My mother gave a little start, looked quickly at -my stepfather, gave a little sigh, and remained silent. - -My stepfather smiled a trifle grimly, he too did not speak. Mr. -Neville, however, answered me. - -"What do you yourself feel inclined for?" he asked. - -"I hardly know. You see, I have never thought much about it until -lately; but it seems to me, that now I have left school, I ought to do -something to be independent." - -"There is no need of that, Victor," said my stepfather. "Would you not -be content to stay here, and wait for a little?" - -"If I did, it would prevent my going to Sandhurst." - -"Aha! that was in your mind then. I rather suspected it. Rupert's -reports, eh?" - -"Yes," I said. "It seems a nice life, and I might do well as a soldier; -what do you think?" - -My mother leaned forward. - -"Victor, do not set your heart upon it, I think that it will be -impossible." - -"Oh, am I also to know the reason for that, some day?" - -"Yes," she answered, "that goes with the rest." - -"Well, I shall be very pleased when that day comes." - -"Ah!" said Mr. Neville. "I wonder." - -We sat silent for a while, and then I said again: - -"What am I to do? You know, I am completely in the dark about -everything. I have been supplied with money, it is true, but is it -mine, or is it yours, mother? These things ought, I think, to be -explained to me. Shall I have some day to work for a living, or do I -inherit anything when I come of age, because I feel that, in the latter -case, I can take a course that will be totally different to what it -would be supposing I had to earn bread and cheese." - -My stepfather had risen and was walking up and down the room. - -"I quite see your point, my boy," he said, "and I think that you are of -an age to understand me, when I say that you will never want in the -future: you will inherit a certain sum on coming of age, which will be -enough to keep you handsomely in any ordinary way. When I die, you will -have everything of mine, and I trust you will then be in a position to -make good use of it. That, I hope, is sufficient to say about financial -matters; about your career, it is more difficult. If I were you, this -is what I should do: I should ask Mr. Neville to come with me and should -then take a continental tour. See everything, meet everybody, acquire a -knowledge of mankind, virtues, and vices. Spend money when you think -good may come of it; read and digest history as you go, also national -law, and natural law; gain as much knowledge as you can of affairs -military; study arms and armaments, from cutlasses to cannon. Your -cadet corps has given you a capital foundation to work on. Then in two -years return to us. That is my advice, and I know your mother will -agree." - -"Yes," said my mother a trifle sadly, "I agree." - -"But could you not give me some idea, so that I may study for my future -as well as all those things you mention?" - -"I believe that if you study those things, Victor, they will be of -immense importance to you in what I hope will be your career. You may -trust your mother and myself to give you the best advice we can." - -"Of course I do," I said, "but it is puzzling, isn't it?" - -"Yes, it is, but this you may count on: you shall know everything you -wish when you come of age," said my mother. - -"Thank you, mother." I turned to my old tutor. "Mr. Neville, will you -come with me?" - -"I will," he said. "It will be a pleasure for me to renew my -acquaintanceship with the continent." - -"Then let us go; and, for my part, the sooner the better, for the time -will pass more quickly." - -"Don't forget the old advice to 'hasten slowly,'" my stepfather -remarked. - -"To-morrow," said my mother, rising, "we will plan out your tour." - -I went to bed that night with fresh fields of thought open to me. I was -now to see all those places of which I had read and heard; I was to -study everything. The thought flashed through my brain, that from this -advice I ought to be able to glean something of my parents' views for my -future, which I immediately tried to do, but without any satisfactory -result. I wondered whether they wished me to enter the diplomatic -service; but, if that were so, why be mysterious about it? It was a -perfectly feasible career to anyone like myself. I was pleased with -this idea, and indulged in a little fanciful dreaming, seeing myself as -an ambassador, carrying through some skilful piece of diplomacy with -great success. I believe that this was still in my mind when I fell -asleep. - -The next week passed in a whirl of preparations. It was decided that we -should go first to Paris, and then roam wherever we willed, to St. -Petersburg or Rome, to Egypt or Iceland. - -For the first time that I can remember, my stepfather spoke to me of -money. - -"Victor," he said, "it is necessary that you should acquire a knowledge -of the value of money; I don't mean of pennies being saved to make -pounds, but I wish you to get used to the handling of large sums, to -appreciate what such sums can buy. It is an extremely difficult thing -to discover the best method of learning this; I believe there is no -certain way, it depends so much on the individual. I don't fancy that -you have ever been in debt or money difficulties, have you?" - -"Never, you gave me such a ripping allowance, I never spent it all." - -"Didn't you? All the better, it proves that you are not thoughtlessly -extravagant; but I don't wish you to be too careful either. I want you -to be so used to handling and spending money that, if, in the future, -the occasion arises where it is wise to spend a big sum, you will do it -without hesitation; for delay often spells ruin. Now don't forget, I -want you to spend money, as much as you like, ten, thirty, fifty -thousand pounds, if you wish; and, my boy, I will confide in you this -much, if you spent twice that sum, I shouldn't feel it." - -"You must be jolly rich then," I said, although I only vaguely realised -the position. - -My stepfather smiled. - -"I am, but I don't wish people to know it." - -I have often wondered what other young men of my age would have felt -under similar conditions. - -To be invited to spend as much money as they liked, to have it made a -point almost of favour that they should do so. - -I suppose their thoughts would have run wild on all kinds of imaginary -delights, and pastimes; as for me, I hardly felt even a passing thrill -at the prospect. I had always been lavishly supplied with money, and -strangely enough had no expensive tastes or habits; I needed very little -to make me happy. As it was, I gave my word to spend whenever I could. -But I could not help laughing as I did so, it seemed so funny. - -"Possibly I may have this explained when I come of age," I remarked. - -My stepfather laughed. - -"Yes, I think so, Victor." - - * * * * * - -I do not intend to give an account of our tour, the places we went to -can be read of in Baedeker, or other guide books, that is, for the most -part. We did go to some small places out of the regular beat, but -nothing extraordinary happened. - -We visited France, Germany, Italy, Russia, during the first two years, -generally making Paris our head-quarters. - -I followed strictly my stepfather's advice, studying everything and -everybody. In those two years I must have shed at least seven skins of -ignorance, and acquired seven others of knowledge, and, with the -knowledge, understanding. - -Naturally, Mr. Neville being with me aided me enormously; without him, I -should no doubt have profited far less. He it was to whom I turned -continually for guidance and explanation. When I say guidance, I mean -mentally, as in all decisions of a physical nature I was made to decide -myself. - -In each country, as we visited it, he pointed out in his lucid way the -chief points of government, and many were the discussions we had over -the selection of the finest. - -At first, I remember, I was inclined to favour theories, but before his -searching dissection they very soon crumbled away. - -We had many letters of introduction to notable people, wherever we went; -and these enabled us to obtain a grasp of the real life of all classes, -for we invariably found some one who could and did act as guide. - -Sometimes we would go for a walking tour lasting a month or six weeks, -sometimes we would motor through a great tract of country, barely -stopping a day in any one place. - -We met many people, young and old, men and women, and as my mind -expanded I seemed to read their characters, recognising their virtues -and their vices, carefully stowing the results of my investigations away -in the recesses of my brain. I was repeatedly told that I was handsome, -sometimes subtly, more often quite openly. This was news that failed to -interest me. - -Women with languorous glances, or carefully dropped eyelids, had little -fascination for me; and so I passed through, unscathed, what would have -been irresistible temptations to many. - -Perhaps I was cold by temperament, or perhaps my upbringing had taught -me to avoid such pleasures, or, again, perhaps I was simply waiting for -love to come to me. - -Now although, as I say, I evaded these things, I take no credit to -myself; they were not for me, that was all. - -I did not quite understand myself then, and I find it hard even now to -say what prompted me to keep sexually clean. I in no way avoided -opportunities, as in my desire for knowledge I would often with some -acquaintance or friend visit the haunts of the _demi-monde_ and -underworld; I do not say it was necessary to seek such opportunities. -The society we naturally consorted with differed strangely little in -essentials. - -I have seen a man, head of a noble family, deliberately cheat at cards; -and I have experienced the disagreeable duty of refusing the amorous -advances of more than one _grande dame_. - -I, personally, find much blame for the man, and very little condemnation -for the woman, for the craving of sex must be the most difficult of all -to fight, and conquer. - -As I have said, we studied four great nations in two years, -superficially, of course; but the knowledge we gained was good. One -subject in particular I had given my whole attention to, whenever -possible: war, chiefly in the way of preparation for attack or defence. - -It was extremely interesting to me to discuss with Mr. Neville, or with -a soldier if possible, the defences of any place. - -Of course, as outsiders, we were never allowed to inspect any of the -fortified places of Europe, but we would discuss them nevertheless, and -I was always trying to find the best plan of defence for these places. -The military portion of the friends we made seemed much amused with me; -I don't know why, unless it was my eagerness. All the same they entered -into the fun of "drawing a civilian," and bantered me unmercifully, -which I know was excellent for me. - -I remember once, when motoring through France, entering into a heated -discussion with a celebrated French General; I refuse to allow for one -moment that I wanted to lay down the law, although Mr. Neville did -suggest it afterwards. This General, no doubt immensely amused by me, -pulled out a map of the district through which we were travelling. - -"Now," he said, "supposing you had a force of so many men, with so many -guns, here," he jabbed with his finger, "and the enemy were here and -here, with so many men and guns, what would you do?" - -This was a game I had often played, and I looked eagerly at the -map--there and there the enemy; my forces here. It was impossible to do -anything except surrender. I looked again. - -"Where were my forces before they arrived in that position, in which -direction were they travelling, and with what object?" - -"Well, suppose they were moving from A to try to get to B here." - -Again I studied the map, the position was plain to read; had my -reconnaissance been carried out properly--and I should not have advanced -without--I could never have been in that position, rather should I have -branched off here, and so opened up a splendid line for either advance -or retreat. I looked up at the General, he was just winking at another -officer who was with us; that settled it, just that wink, I knew then -that he was "drawing me again." I smiled grimly. - -"General, if ever you allowed your forces to get into such a position -you ought to be shot." - -For a moment he looked at me, and then burst out laughing. - -"_Mon Dieu!_ but he is right, this young civilian, but name of a little -dog! how did he know? I ought to be shot, I ought to be shot. Ha Ha -Ha!" he roared with laughter. - -I was appallingly conceited inside, but made little of it outwardly. -The General, however, repeated the story so often, that I lost my -conceit, and was rather sorry I had been so clever. - -Whether it was my enthusiasm, my youth, or the novelty of everything, I -don't know, but I enjoyed every minute of my time. Physically I had -never been so fit; I took an enormous amount of exercise, walking, -riding, boxing with Mr. Neville and others, though chiefly with my -companion, who although not my equal in science, and a middle-aged man, -yet gave me a lot to do. In each capital, I always went to the greatest -masters and studied with the rapier and sabre; I also kept up my -shooting. - -I think I stopped growing in height about then--just an inch under six -feet--but I still continued to expand in width. Illness had mercifully -passed me by. - -We had been in Paris about three weeks, and were beginning to think of -moving on again, somewhere, I for one did not care where, because every -place was splendid; I was not the least tired of travel, neither bored -nor blasé. It was Mr. Neville who suggested Rudarlia. - -We had spent the day at Versailles, a place which I never felt tired of -seeing or talking about, and that evening we were idling over our -dinner, when my companion said: - -"And where to next, Victor?" - -"I don't know," I answered with a little start, for he had read my -thoughts exactly. "Where do you suggest?" - -"There is Rudarlia." - -I had thought of this many times, but had always deferred suggesting it. -I imagined that it would be perhaps better to leave this visit until -after I came of age and received the long-promised information -concerning many things; also I wished to view my own country, for the -first time, with a practised eye and balanced judgment. I knew from -reading and conversation that Rudarlia was not in a flourishing -condition, and I did not want to be badly prejudiced by immature -impressions. Now, however, Mr. Neville had suggested the visit, which -made a great difference. - -"That requires thought," I said. - -"Naturally; I only proposed it in order to discuss it with you." - -"Well, what do you think, knowing how I feel on the subject, would you -say my mind was formed enough?" - -He looked at me affectionately. - -"My boy, the last part of your question I can answer at once in the -affirmative. You know, I never pay you compliments, so you can believe -me when I say that, in my opinion, your views on most subjects are worth -listening to, and your grasp of life is astonishing to me. As to your -wishing to defer your visit, the same idea had struck me. Your mother -has never even hinted at any wish of hers in the matter, so, to make -sure of their views at home, I wired to them. Their answer came to-day, -it was this: 'If he feels inclined.'" - -"If I only knew," I murmured. "It makes it very difficult, but I -suppose, as usual, I must decide. Don't you think that a great deal is -left to me?" - -"Yes." - -"And you agree with that course of procedure?" - -"Entirely." - -"Yet I should so like to have things taken out of my hands sometimes, it -would be ripping to feel, now and again, no sense of being in charge, so -to speak, of one's own life; it is rather overpowering to know that -everything depends on whether one says yes or no." - -"And yet, my boy, there are many in the world, with larger -responsibilities than yours are at present; think, for instance, of a -great employer of labour who has to decide great things, affecting, -perhaps, the welfare of both his employés and his business. Think of -anyone in power, saying whether it shall be peace or war." - -"But they have assistance in making up their minds." - -"Certainly; it is there that we want you to differ from them, we wish -you in all things to be able to decide for yourself; to know how to -grasp the pros and cons, to weigh them one against the other, and give a -decision." - -"But will that be of use to me, should I enter diplomacy?" - -"You can only wait and see." - -"Not much longer, thank Heaven!" - -"Ah!" said Mr. Neville. - -We drank our coffee before speaking again, then I said: - -"We will go." - -"Good! you have decided as I expected you to. We must arrange many -things first, however." - -"What kind of things?" - -"Well, do you intend going as a Rudarlian, or as an Englishman?" - -"I have been English everywhere, so far, and for this visit will remain -so, unless I change my mind when there." - -"Which way do you want to go?" - -I thought a little while, and then said: - -"I should like to enter the country on foot and walk to the capital; it -is a whim, I know, so if you don't feel inclined please say so." - -"It is a first-rate plan, I think, and will be most enjoyable. Anyway, -Karena is not far distant from the northern frontier." - -"It will be hard going, from what I can gather, but it ought to be worth -while." - -"When shall we start?" - -"Oh," I said, looking at my engagement book, "would a week from to-day -suit you?" - -"Perfectly, it will give us time to work out details." - -Once the matter was settled definitely, I began to indulge in a little -wild speculation. I was, naturally perhaps, excited at the idea of -seeing my own country, hearing my own tongue spoken every day and all -day, by my own countrymen and women. - -The week fairly flew past. I had written to my mother informing her of -our proposed trip, and received an answer back bidding me God-speed, and -also advising me on no account to seek to find out anything about my -father. It was pointed out to me that I had only a few months to wait -and any premature disclosures might do much damage. - -This, of course, was so much double Dutch to me, and only added to the -mysteriousness of everything. I therefore refused to think about it, but -I also resolved to abide by her wish. The letter finished by expressing -satisfaction at the idea that I was to travel as an Englishman. - - - - - *CHAPTER III* - - -With as little impedimenta as possible, Mr. Neville and I bade au revoir -to Paris, little thinking that we had made it our head-quarters for the -last time. Since then I have never stayed more than one night in that -city, when passing through. I always feel glad that I saw as much of it -as I could, for, to my mind, it is eminently a city to induce memories, -and I like to look back on the jolly times I have had there. - -We went by express to Nerane, the nearest stopping-place to the northern -frontier of Rudarlia, and drove in a cart to Melanov, that now famous -little town; in those days it was not known at all well. We arrived as -night was falling, and it was too dark to see anything of the country -which on the morrow we were to enter. The cart deposited our shaken -remains at the only inn the place possessed. - -I was glad there was only one, for if there had been another, with the -same failings, Melanov should have ceased to exist, at least that is -what I should have hoped. We had sent our luggage to Karena by train, -and had with us just the necessities of life, in our knapsacks. Our -visit excited an unreasonable amount of interest, but the innkeeper, a -fat, oily Greek, was obsequiousness itself, hovering round with a look -of cupidity and craftiness upon his most unprepossessing countenance. - -Having removed traces of travel as well as we could, the next thing was -food. This was rough and plentiful, with accent on the rough; but, in -spite of having recently left Paris, we had managed to acquire healthy -appetites and ate good dinners. - -Having filled our pipes, we made ourselves as comfortable as the chairs -would permit and started talking; but just as we began to warm up to our -subject--which I remember dealt with the use of aircraft in war--there -was a bang on the door, and in stalked a soldier. - -"Good evening," I said. - -"Good evening, messieurs. I must apologise for this intrusion, but as -Commandant of this frontier, I always make a point of inviting -travellers to spend an hour or so with me, in order, if I may speak -frankly, to prevent myself becoming too much of a barbarian to associate -with gentlemen. I therefore beg of you to consider my poor quarters as -your own, at least the chairs there are in better repair than those you -are sitting on." - -"You are very kind," I said. "May I introduce Mr. Neville? My own name -is Stevens." - -"And I am Colonel von Quarovitch. Now, since we know each other's -names, will you accompany me to what poor hospitality I can offer?" - -We accepted his invitation with more pleasure than he could have any -idea of, for more reasons than one. I think, in my case, it was the -knowledge I had already gained of those inhabitants of the inn who did -not pay taxes, and who seemed to like the taste of me. - -The Commandant gave us some most excellent coffee. At first, I believe, -he took us for spies, or at least emissaries of some foreign power; but -after a while his suspicions seemed to calm down, and soon we were -talking and laughing like good friends. - -We informed him of our proposed trip, a thing to him undreamed of; but -all Englishmen are mad, that is well understood, so he gave an -expressive shrug of his shoulders, and offered us any assistance in his -power. - -He was a fine, rugged-looking man, with great fierce eyebrows and eyes, -and I thought to myself that he should be a good soldier. There was, -however, an undercurrent of deep resentment in his conversation when -speaking of his country's affairs. - -Looking upon us as passers-by, he no doubt felt safe in laying bare his -grievances. I do not suppose for one moment that he would have done -such a thing in the presence of any of his officers, or even civilians -of his own race. He was a grumbling old bear, and told us that he had -been in his present grade for eighteen years, and for twelve in this -place, badly paid. - -"His beloved Majesty needs all the money for his prostitutes," he -growled. "There is no money for clothing or weapons for his army. Here -am I, who have been in every fight for thirty years or more, wounded a -score of times, with only a few hundred men to guard a frontier, on -starvation pay; seeing men who have never smelt powder made generals, -passed over my head simply because they have influence either through -their females or through money. And all the thanks I get for my -devotion to the monarchy is to be told that there are a hundred -applicants for my post if I request anything from head-quarters." - -"Then your feelings are not over-kind to your King?" said Mr. Neville. - -"King!" he roared. "He is no King of mine, usurper and assassin. I -continue to serve in his army, because there is no one who can fill my -place here properly, and my country comes before my own feelings still, -thank God. And yet," he continued almost wistfully, "I feel assured -that, if war was declared to-morrow, some captain with influence would -buy my place, and I should be retired, as too old. Too old, by God! I -who know every stick and stone for a hundred miles round, who was -created Colonel on the battle-field by his late Majesty, God preserve -his soul; I, who have studied war since I could read, who can yet march -the stoutest man off his feet." - -"But they couldn't retire you, Colonel?" I said inquiringly. - -"Could they not, my young friend? Ah, you don't know to what we have -fallen; not the people, they are as true and brave as ever, but the -courtiers, our rulers, rotten, degraded panders to a gross sensualist's -vices; bah! they sicken me. Retire me they would without a thought, and -I could take my nobility back to my own dilapidated castle, and feed it -on the thousand pounds or so I have saved in thirty years' service." - -"Is there not a great deal of discontent in the country?" - -"Naturally! where do you find men who would not be discontented and -disgusted with underpay and insufficient food? The peasants, too, are -ground down with taxes, until they starve. One day some man, driven -desperate, will commit the crime of regicide, but perhaps it would not -be a crime in this case." - -"Would that improve matters?" asked Mr. Neville. - -"That I cannot say. The next heir to the throne is a cousin, with -little Rudarlian in him; from all accounts he resembles the present man -in tastes and habits. Ah! if only I had been in Karena twenty years -ago, with just the troops I have here, history would have been written -differently, and Rudarlia would have been another country, unless -Merlin's son had developed badly. As it was, I, with many more -Loyalists, had been sent by a hound of a Minister to the other end of -the country; when we got back it was all over. The whole of the -reigning family, father, mother, and son, had been assassinated; and the -present man Ivan was King, he had been waiting near the frontier for the -word to come." - -"Had they no one to defend them?" - -"Those who did were shot without scruple. You know the miscreant fired -the royal apartments, burning the bodies of the Queen and the Crown -Prince; they were only recognised by the jewellery found on the charred -remains." - -"What a terrible crime it was!" I said. - -Colonel von Quarovitch sprang to his feet. - -"Crime!" he cried, shaking his clenched fists above his head. "Crime! -God's curse on the authors of it, it has ruined my country." - -We stayed only a few minutes after this, finally wishing him good night, -and retired. - -As we reached the inn, Mr. Neville and I looked at each other. - -"Thank God for such men as that," said my companion. - -His eyes were misty as he shook my hand, and turned away to his room. I -did likewise, but slept little, I was too excited, I imagine; to-morrow -I was to enter Rudarlia, my own country. - -My thoughts were extremely upsetting, the conversation we had had with -Colonel von Quarovitch had made me think a great deal. - -Here was an elderly man, devoting his whole life to his country, without -hope of recompense. - -His was an example of quiet heroism that set my blood on fire. I -compared his position with mine, I blushed inwardly at the comparison; -of course so far I was not to blame, as I was not yet legally my own -master, but in a few months from now I should be; what then would my -course be? - -Should I remain in England, with everything a man could wish for, or -come here to Rudarlia, and exert myself to the utmost, in trying to -cleanse the country of abuse? - -Although I was young, I was not idiotic in my romanticism. I fully -realised the futility of starting to wage war on a throne without a -great deal of assistance. Could I obtain sufficient following, was I -capable of directing the campaign? I would not use force, it would have -to be far more subtle; the Press must be won over first, and the natural -leaders among the people. Was it possible? - -I turned and twisted in my most uncomfortable bed, finding the greatest -difficulty in concentrating my thoughts. There were so many conflicting -lines of argument to be considered; dreams, and ambitions, rose-tinted, -would confuse them. - -I dreamed of a Rudarlia set high above the neighbouring countries in -everything, well governed, possessing a magnificent army, thoroughly -trained and equipped, faithfully paid, fed and clothed, returning for it -all a loyal devotion--to whom? - -There, my thoughts balked--to the present King Ivan? Impossible. His -heir, according to Quarovitch, was little better. Who then? God knows -the misery I experienced in that _cul-de-sac_; I could see no way out, -except in the idea of a republic, and the thought of Rudarlia as -anything but a kingdom was unthinkable. - -The only foreign power to which we could turn in safety for a monarch -was England. No German princeling or Austrian Archduke would serve. -Russia? As well ask a fox to take care of a chicken. Fool that I was, -here was I, a stranger, imagining that I alone could save the country; -there must be hundreds of brave men, far more shrewd than I, with -influence and wealth, who had no doubt thought and even tried to do the -same thing, yet they had failed. That was my opinion when I reached the -blank wall in my mind, yet I could not give in, some power seemed to be -urging me to try other ways. - -Morning came, and found me still puzzling, still without any loophole -through which to squeeze to the help of my beloved country. - -I say "beloved," for now that I was on the borders, only a few yards -into Rudarlia, I felt surge over me an almost mad exultation, a thrill -of passionate feeling, quite foreign to my nature; I felt that that day -had marked a change in my life. - -Any help that I could give must be a matter of time and the deepest -consideration; I would see what Mr. Neville and my parents said--and Mr. -Smith too. I had forgotten him, had, I am ashamed to say, forgotten the -oldest of my friends, and one who would doubtless be overjoyed to hear -that I was in Rudarlia. - -He would help me, perhaps, in any way that he thought good. - -Well, it would wait with many things until my majority. - -While dressing I thought of my stepfather; what would he think, as an -American, would he advise a republic? - -And then his advice flashed across me: "Spend money when you think good -will come of it." - -I had never followed his advice to any large extent, a hundred pounds or -so at a time. - -"I wonder," I said aloud, "whether this is an opportunity?" - -It was a fresh idea, and I dawdled over my toilet, so as to have more -time for consideration. - -Could I in any way help Quarovitch and his men: would he accept -financial assistance, not for himself but for the troops he commanded? - -I must see him, I decided that there and then. It might be that I -should have to divulge my nationality to him, what did it matter? He -was an honest and honourable man, on that I would have wagered anything. -So now, I could finish my dressing, and go down to my breakfast. - -Mr. Neville was already in the room waiting for me; he looked at me -intently as I entered. - -"Sleep well?" he asked. - -"No, very badly, the conversation of last night upset me, I think." - -"H'm. Well, do you know it did me too, but for different reasons, no -doubt. Let us have breakfast, and talk." He seated himself and began. -"We had better stick to English, it's safer," he remarked. "One never -knows who can overhear. First of all, I propose to tell you why you did -not sleep, then, why I was likewise kept awake; if I am wrong tell me. -You," he began decapitating an egg, "were engaged in thinking how you, -as a Rudarlian, could help your country. You made and unmade many -plans, each one, however, was to your mind impracticable; am I right?" - -"Quite right," I said. - -"It was this knowledge of your thoughts that kept me awake," continued -my companion. "I felt convinced that you would have glorious dreams, -which would break like glass before reason. I knew that you would -finally decide to abandon any active policy at present, meaning to -return to it in the near future. Now I know something of these things; -and the anxiety for your future kept me from slumberland." - -"How on earth did you know what I was thinking, are you capable of -thought reading, even when the thinker is absent?" - -He laughed. - -"I wish I were. No, it is only the result of logic, first, and the -knowledge I have of you, secondly. When you put a young man like -yourself before the picture displaying the ruin of his country, it is -natural for him to feel obsessed by the desire to reconstruct the -crumbled edifice. I fancy I could also guess the chief obstacle in your -various lines of argument." - -"I should not be surprised," I said, laughing. - -"Was it not the choice of a ruler?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I don't wonder that you were brought to a halt, it has puzzled -me, too, a great deal; but we can discuss that on our journey. You have -quite decided to go over the mountains?" - -"Oh yes, if you are agreeable; it will be much more interesting and -exciting." - -"Very well, but we shall want a guide." - -"The innkeeper will know of one, I'm sure." - -"I'll ask him." - -Our sleek host, looking more evil by daylight than I had anticipated, -knew just the man for us, the perfect guide: a mountaineer, strong, -honest, and intelligent, he would send for him at once. - -"I wonder," I said, "whether our host is an authority on honesty." - -Mr. Neville laughed. - -"The same thought struck me; but, as we are armed, I don't think there -is anything to fear." - -"Well, he won't be here for some time yet; and I want to ask your -opinion on a serious matter." - -"Fire ahead, Victor." - -I then proceeded to lay bare my plan with regard to Quarovitch; Mr. -Neville listened in silence. - -"It is rather an extraordinary proposal," he said. - -I remember that we were both silent for a considerable time after that -and then he said suddenly: - -"I agree with you about Quarovitch; he is, I should say, a most -honourable man, but would he accept the trust? You would have to tell -him that you were a Rudarlian, even then it remains to be seen whether -he will consent to receive, from a civilian, the money that should come -from his government. I cannot say, although personally, in his place I -should." - -"Then," I cried joyfully, "you think I can do it, you advise it?" - -"I leave it to you, partner," said Mr. Neville, smiling. - -"Oh, bother bridge, I feel that I shall never play again with any -pleasure; can't you ever declare?" - -"Not on this hand. I should say, however, that you might make it no -trumps; you have the three aces--health, wealth, and enthusiasm." - -"But the kings are against us, with perhaps the fourth ace." - -"And that is?" asked my companion. - -"Luck," said I, "but I'll risk it." - -"How much do you propose offering him?" - -"Five thousand; that should last until I come again." - -"Always look ahead," said Mr. Neville, but he would say nothing more -about the sum I had named. - -A few moments after this, the host returned; with him was a man, a -splendid looking fellow, with the free bearing and controlled muscles of -a mountaineer. - -I spoke to him in Rudarlian, telling him that we wished for a guide over -the mountains; did he know of a way other than the main road? Yes, he -did. - -Was it possible to work down by that route into the plains? Yes, it -was. Would he be content with so much? Yes, he would. What would be -necessary for the trip? He informed us that we must take food and -drink; if we had luggage, a pony to carry it. That was all as far as he -could suggest. - -"What do you think, Mr. Neville?" I asked in English. - -"H'm. He looks like a brigand, but then they mostly do to English eyes; -I think I should engage him." - -I did. He would, he assured us, see about a pony, and all the necessary -things we needed, if we cared; also we must provide ourselves with rugs, -for the night. - -"Indeed," said I, "why did you not mention that before?" - -"I did not know that your Excellencies proposed starting at midday." - -This had only been mentioned just before, so that the answer seemed -good; but I could not help feeling a slight anxiety, as the host was so -extremely unprepossessing. I almost wished that we had asked -Quarovitch. - -I gave Piotr, as the man was called, the necessary instructions, bidding -him wait for us with his purchases at the inn; then we walked along to -the low, whitewashed building, used as the barracks. - -From Melanov, little could be seen of Rudarlia, though the place was -high up, as the main road twisted round the side of an eminence, -blocking the view. There was nothing therefore to look at, as the one -street was empty save for a stray dog or so. - -My thoughts were in a turmoil, as we strolled along. How was I to -broach the subject to the Colonel? Perhaps he would give me an opening. - -He was seated at a table by the only window in the room; as we entered, -a subaltern saluted and passed out. - -"Ah, messieurs, I am glad indeed to see you," said the Colonel, rising -from his chair, and warmly shaking our hands. "I hope my outburst last -evening did not alarm you, you must forgive an old man, who finds it -difficult to keep his temper sometimes." - -"You did not alarm us at all, it was most justifiable." - -"In fact," chimed in Mr. Neville, "so much so that it induced my friend -here to come to you this morning, to ask for a half-hour or so of your -time." - -"Delighted, delighted; but I do not see the connection between the two." - -"Then," said I, feeling desperately uneasy, "I must explain, if you will -give me permission." - -"Please take a chair, and make yourselves as comfortable as these -quarters permit." - -He pulled his own chair round as we seated ourselves, and held out a box -of cigarettes to us. - -"I cannot offer you cigars like the ones I smoked last night," he said -apologetically. - -"Now," he continued when we had lighted them, "an hour, or two hours, as -you will." - -"I don't think it will take long, at least I hope not. You will -remember saying last night that the present government in Rudarlia left -the army in an almost necessitous state, almost without clothing and -food?" - -"That is so," said Quarovitch, with a perplexed look. - -"It struck me," I said, after a moment's hesitation, "that a man like -yourself, with a certain sum of money, might do a great deal to -alleviate such conditions among the men under your command." - -"So he might, but I thought I made it sufficiently plain that I was -without private means." - -"You did; therefore, I have come to offer them to you, or rather to ask -you to accept for your troops a sum of money from me." - -He looked from me to Mr. Neville, with an inquiring lift of his -eyebrows. - -"No," I said, smiling, "I am not mad, but I am intensely interested in -everything Rudarlian; and, if you could see your way to be banker for -your troops, you would place me enormously in your debt." - -"It is impossible, of course," he said quietly. "Rudarlia is in a bad -way, I admit, but her army cannot be paid by an Englishman or any other -foreigner. I thank you for your offer, but it is impossible." - -He rose from his seat as though to terminate our conversation. He was -angered, hurt too, by what he no doubt looked upon as an unwarrantable -intrusion on my part; I felt that he looked upon me as one who had taken -advantage of his outburst of the previous evening. - -"One moment, Colonel, before you decide," I said. "You feel, no doubt, -that my offer is almost, if not quite an impertinence; believe me, I -anticipated that view, I have therefore to confess to misinforming you. -I am not an Englishman; although brought up there, I, like yourself, am -a Rudarlian. This is my first visit to my country since my babyhood; -now you see why your words yesterday had so much effect upon me." - -He looked at me a trifle suspiciously. - -"Stevens is not a Rudarlian name," he said. - -"No," broke in Mr. Neville, "but Stefan is, I believe." - -"So! you have astonished me, monsieur. You were taken away as a baby, -you say?" - -"I think so, I am not quite sure." - -"If you will pardon my interrupting, Colonel," said my companion, "but -Monsieur Stefan knows little of his birth or childhood. There are -reasons, grave reasons, why he should remain in ignorance until his -majority in a few months' time. I, however, give you my word that he is -a Rudarlian by birth." - -"I did not doubt it, monsieur. I was staggered for the moment at the -idea of anyone making such a proposal; even now, that I know him to be -my countryman, I do not see my way to accept his offer." - -"May I ask why?" I said despondently. "I had hoped so much to do -something for our army." - -"Think, Monsieur Stefan, how could it be explained that I, a penniless -man, had accepted money to pay my troops? They would say immediately -that my nest was feathered too, and what reason do you suppose would be -accredited to the gift? Why, to buy their loyalty." - -"Who for?" I asked quickly. - -Colonel von Quarovitch looked puzzled. - -"H'm! That is rather difficult to answer; they would say, most likely, -that you were the emissary of Russia, Austria, or Bornia; most probably -the latter, since they are our neighbours." - -His argument was certainly sound; and I searched my brains for a -solution. - -"Don't you ever speculate, Colonel?" I asked. - -"Eh?" - -"I thought you had invested a certain sum, a little while ago, in some -rubber company." - -"Eh?" he said again. - -Mr. Neville chuckled. - -I continued: - -"So at least I understood; five hundred pounds, I think it was, they -rose ten points or so, giving you the handsome profit of five thousand -pounds." - -He still looked at me inquiringly; but suddenly he smiled grimly, and -stared for a few minutes out of the window. Then, slowly, he drew a -piece of paper and a pen towards him, and looked up. - -"What did you say the name of the rubber company was, monsieur?" - -I had won. In a boyish impulse I seized his hand and shook it -violently. - -"Hurrah! I was so afraid that you would continue in your refusal." - -He laughed outright. - -"I have never known anyone so anxious to part with money before, and, -monsieur, I was desperately anxious that you should think of a way out; -it means so much to my men. As it is, I shall become almost too -popular, thanks to you." - -For the next hour we discussed ways and means. I was to write home, and -inform my stepfather of what I had done; and he was to send a letter -with a draft to Quarovitch, purporting to come from a banker. The -spending of the money, I would have nothing to say about, and told him -so. - -"You know what the men require, I don't, I leave it therefore entirely -to you. Do as you think best; and mind you keep up your investments, -for when I come again, in a little while, God willing, you must have had -another lucky stroke of business." - -"I will keep an account of every penny, to await your return." - -"Which will be waste of labour, Colonel, for I shall put it in the fire -unread; you have quite enough to do, to spend the money, without -clerking." - -His stern old face twitched, and he said huskily: - -"God bless you, until your return, Monsieur Stefan." - -Our interview had lasted longer than we had expected; and we had to -hurry, to get back to the inn at the time appointed. - -We found our guide to be, waiting, with a small shaggy horse, laden with -our properties; he saluted as we hurried up. - -"I have everything your Excellencies require," he said. - -He would have proceeded to tell us how clever he had been in his -bargaining, but we cut him short; and I went into the inn to settle our -account. I sent a boy to find the host and then entered the dining-room -to wait for him. I walked to the window and looked out, deep in -thought. - -"A deliberate cut," said a voice behind me. - -I swung round. - -"Carruthers? Well, I'm damned!" - -"Judging by this inn, I should say you were; but how goes it, old chap?" - -"How in the world did you get here?" - -"Boat, train, and horse; but I'm waiting for you to say that you are -pleased to see me." - -"Pleased? You bet I am; why, there is nothing could have pleased me -more; but how did you know where to find us?" - -"Your mother gave me your probable route, so I chanced it. I have three -months' leave, and I'm going to enjoy my little self." - -"Good! Now, look here, we are just going to start on a tramp to the -capital: are you game to come now, or shall we postpone it?" - -"I'll come right away. I've only a bag, and I'll leave that here to be -forwarded." - -"It can go on our transport animal--they call it a horse--fetch it while -I settle up; Mr. Neville is outside." - -It was the final touch to my happiness to have Carruthers with us; Mr. -Neville, too, was delighted. There was such a tremendous lot to tell -each other: all the multitude of happenings of the last two years. - -The path along which we were travelling was only a bridle track at most -and led us by a zigzag route up the mountain. We had too much to do, in -seeing that we put our feet on firm ground, to talk, and as there was -little beside rock to look at we did not make any great delay. It was -hard work, though; how the horse managed some parts beats me altogether. -Our guide Piotr kept ahead at a steady pace. Just as it was getting -dusk, he stopped. - -"This will be a good place to halt, Excellency." - -"Very good." - -I walked a little farther and turned a corner, Rudarlia lay in front of -me. I was glad that my companions had stayed behind, for my heart was -beating ridiculously, and there was a mist in front of my eyes. I stood -there alone, and drank in the beauty of the vast panorama stretched -before me, the failing light made for mystery, and full of exultation I -stretched out my arms as though to embrace it all, murmuring to myself: - -"My country! my country!" - - - - - *CHAPTER IV* - - -When I returned to the others, I found a wood fire crackling merrily, -and preparations being made for a meal. - -I am afraid that I did not contribute much to the conversation for some -time--I was thinking; but after we had finished eating, and were sitting -smoking with the comfortable feeling one has when healthily tired, I did -my share. - -Carruthers gave me a message from my people: on no consideration was I -to try and find Mr. Smith, as any inquiries might be serious for him. -Of course he had not been given any reasons for this; but I could see he -was curious, and I could not, and Mr. Neville would not, enlighten him. - -It was a perfect night, and there was no sound, save the rippling of a -brook, to mar the stillness, that is, when we were not talking. Little -by little I saw Mr. Neville and Carruthers growing more and more drowsy, -and presently, with contented grunts, they rolled over and fell asleep. -Piotr had already taken himself away from the fire and now lay, a dark -mass, wrapped in his blanket. - -We had asked many questions of him, but I do not remember receiving any -enlightening answers; he always appeared to be guarding his tongue, why, -I did not understand. - -There was one thing which Carruthers had told me that gave me -considerable uneasiness; it was that my stepfather did not seem as well -as his wont. This upset me, for I had never known him anything but -splendidly well. I seemed to feel him near me in the night; perhaps at -that moment he was talking of us, who knows? The darkness made me -strangely fanciful, but presently I too was asleep. - -The next morning I woke very early, and found that we had an addition to -our party, a man, hump-backed, and rather evil looking. - -Piotr explained that he had overtaken us at about midnight, and, as he -was tired, had asked permission to use our fire. - -I spoke a few words to the fellow, telling him that he could have some -food if he liked, and then woke the others. - -Our ablutions were performed in a small stream that gurgled and -spluttered a few yards away; then, having had our breakfast, we once -more started. - -This time our order was reversed, the two men and the horse being -behind; while we three tramped cheerfully on, glorying in the fresh -morning air which had the effect of champagne upon our spirits. - -Two or three miles from our halting place of the night, we came to a -piece of road only some seven or eight feet wide. - -On one side the ground sloped steeply up, covered with great masses of -rock and stones; on the other was a sheer drop of some hundreds of feet -into a thickly wooded valley. - -Carruthers suddenly took it into his head that he was a mountain goat, -and went springing madly down the path, disappearing in a few moments -round a curve. - -Mr. Neville had just made some laughing remark about his being almost -inclined to follow, when without any reason apparently, a stone came -rushing down from above us. - -We both sprang forward instinctively, and heard the rock strike the -path, then an appalling yell from behind us; we swung round. Piotr had -disappeared. The hunchback was cringing away from the abyss, and could -hardly summon sufficient strength to point with a trembling hand. It -was enough, however, and we understood that our guide had gone over the -edge; the suddenness of the accident made it the more appalling. - -We lay flat on our stomachs and peered over; then I scrambled to my -feet. - -"He's stuck there, some way down. Here you, run after the gentleman and -get him back as quickly as possible; there is just a chance that we can -save your friend. Quick, man, quick!" - -He darted off; and Mr. Neville ran to undo the rope which hung from the -pack-saddle of the horse. - -"Will it be long enough?" I said. - -"I hope so, I judge him to be thirty to thirty-five feet down." - -I took the free end of the rope, and made a slip noose. The one idea in -my head was that somehow I must save this man. He was as far as I could -see jammed in an angle of rock, and held in position by the roots of a -small tree, which had found enough earth on the ledge to give it a -stunted existence. - -I kept repeating to myself: "If only the tree holds, if only the tree -holds." When the rope had been arranged satisfactorily I placed a -folded rug on the edge of the precipice, to prevent the rock cutting, -then turned to see if Carruthers was in sight. - -Mr. Neville was standing over me, with a terribly drawn look on his -face. - -"Victor, you can't go," he muttered. - -I said nothing, only smiled; and Carruthers turned the corner at a run, -followed closely by the hunch-back. - -"Buck up, old man," he cried, throwing off his coat, "and I'll get him -up in a jiffy." - -"No, I'm going." - -They looked at me, Mr. Neville very white, and Carruthers almost -angrily. - -"Don't talk rot, Splosh, of course I shall go." - -"You will do nothing of the kind; he is my servant, my countryman, and -I'm going. Quick, don't waste time talking, lay on to the rope, you and -Mr. Neville, while you," I said to the hunchback, "be ready to pull him -over the edge." - -I slipped my right foot into the noose. - -"Now hold on, I'm going, I'll yell when you are to pull him up; let me -down slowly." - -I did not look at them again, until I had lowered myself over the edge, -and then it was but a fleeting glance, just long enough to smile to -them, and notice their set mouths. - -They lowered away slowly, almost too slowly for me, as it was a most -unpleasant rock to look at, and I did not care to glance down more than -was absolutely necessary. It was also an unpleasant feeling to swing in -the air, with just a thin rope between you and eternity; however, little -by little I went down, keeping myself away from the cliff with my left -hand, and untied foot. - -When I judged that the ledge must be near, I looked down. I was about -six feet from it; two minutes, and I was level. I yelled, and at once -my descent was arrested. - -The ledge was infernally narrow, and at first I did not see how to -manage. By cautiously edging along, however, I was enabled to stand -astride of Piotr's body, although one foot had perforce to rest upon the -tree, which caused creaking sounds of a most discomforting nature. I -removed my foot from the noose. - -Piotr's legs hung down, dangling over space, I could see that one was -broken; he was moaning faintly, and trying to move his arm. It was an -extremely difficult business, getting the rope underneath him, but with -patience and a great deal of care it was done; and I drew it tight under -his arm-pits. It seemed then that nothing remained but to give them the -signal to hoist; but just as I was going to yell the thought flashed -across me that, if he struggled and threw up his arms, the rope might -slip, then it would be all up for both of us, for it was certain that, -in falling, he would drag or knock me off the perch as well. - -This required thought, as Mr. Neville so often reminded me; and I -wondered what could be done to fasten his arms down. - -Beneath his embroidered waistcoat he was wearing the scarf or sash of -the mountaineer. Down again I bent, and started to get it loose; an -ugly looking knife was still tucked into it, this, as I pulled, fell -out, and went glistening down into the trees beneath. I remember -thinking it was lucky there was nobody there for it to fall on, and I -believe I grinned; but an extra crack from the tree made me serious -again. - -By dint of pulling, I got the sash unwound; and with it fastened his -arms as I desired, above the elbow, securely to his sides. He was safe -now, but how was I to keep clear of his body as he rose? I looked up, -Carruther's face was peering down at me. - -"Are you all right, Splosh?" - -"Yes, I'm all right. Wait half a minute, and then you can begin to -haul." - -I heard what seemed like a number of voices talking, but avoided looking -up again; instead, I did the only thing which seemed to me possible; I -yelled, and felt the rope tighten, saw Piotr gradually assume a sitting -posture. Then, while I still had the rope to assist me, I slipped over, -and hung by my hands to the edge. It was only for a little time, for as -soon as I saw our guide's body swing clear I pulled myself up again; it -was lucky I had gone in for gymnastics. I sat on the ledge sideways; it -was the only way to sit, and beastly uncomfortable. By using the -greatest caution, I was enabled to pull a small flask, which I always -carried, from my pocket; a drink from this did me good as I had been -feeling rather dizzy. - -"Hullo! hullo! Splosh!" - -I looked up again, there was a row of heads where only Carruthers' had -been before. - -"Hullo!" I called back. "Is the rope ready?" - -"It is coming down now, old chap; be careful." - -The heads were still there, swarthy, wild looking faces peered down at -me. I grinned, and shouted "Good day" in Rudarlian, and they laughed as -they answered me. Cheerful chaps, but where the devil had they come -from? - -The ascent was infinitely nicer than the descent, the face of the cliff -appeared almost rosy and kind. I felt as brave as possible now, whereas -before I had had my heart in my boots. Strong hands seized me on the -edge; and in a moment I was up on the pathway again, with my companions -each shaking a hand, as though we had been parted for years. - -I certainly was astonished to see the men who surrounded us; the best -that could be said of them was that they were all smiling, but each man -was a walking arsenal. They were not the sort of men I should have -chosen as companions for a pleasant Sunday afternoon. - -"Friends of yours?" I said to Mr. Neville, and Carruthers roared. - -"Not yet, but certainly I trust they will be; they came from goodness -knows where. By appearances they are brigands--not that I wish to judge -them harshly." - -"Yes, by appearances they are, but how is Piotr?" - -"I will look at him, if you will tell these fellows to get out of the -way." - -I told the men that we would attend to Piotr, but that they must give us -room, and fetch wood for a litter. They obeyed like lambs. Three went -to seek young trees for the purpose I had named, the others stood round -in silence, save one, who came forward and offered his services; he was, -I understood, the bone-setter of the gang. Mr. Neville accepted his -offer and set to work. After an examination lasting some little time, -he said: - -"It is marvellous, he has only broken a leg, and has a slight -concussion; bruised as well, of course, but not another bone broken." - -"What luck! Can you set his leg between you?" - -"I hope so, and before he regains his senses." - -By the time the men had returned with the trees, it was done: the broken -limb had been set, and carefully bandaged in splints. A litter was -formed with the trees and sashes of some of the men and rugs thrown over -that. Upon this clever piece of work the injured man was placed -carefully, and a little brandy forced down his throat. - -Then evidently a difficulty arose. The fellows began to converse among -themselves with many glances at us, shrugging of shoulders, and -expressive gestures of the hands. - -There was one who was apparently the leader, and upon his face was an -expression of the utmost perplexity. He kept staring first at the -litter then at me, then at my companions and then at the litter. It -dawned upon me that their camp might be near, but that they were anxious -to avoid showing us the way; on the other hand, they could not capture -us as they had evidently intended, since we had befriended their chief. -I appreciated their dilemma and laughed, beckoned to the fellow, and -together we walked a few paces away from the others. - -"You are troubled," I said. "Now which is it to be, are you going to -take us with you as enemies, or shall we part in a friendly way? For, -of course, my friends and I fully realise that the chief of a party such -as yours does not take the position of guide, unless he has some good -reason for it." - -He saw that I was smiling, so he too grinned. - -"Excellency, for your age you are as clear-sighted as an eagle." - -"I assure you, my friend, I felt like one a few minutes ago; but tell -me, was I right in my surmise about your state of mind?" - -"Your Excellency was right. We could never, however, part as enemies; -and if we let you go before our chief regains his senses----" he -shrugged his shoulders in a most expressive way. - -"H'm! but we cannot remain here, can we? And you evidently would not -care to take us with you as friends; of course, to these gentlemen and -myself, the word friend means that we should never betray anything we -might happen to learn. I might suggest, too, that men blindfolded would -see nothing if led to some place carefully." - -A gleam of satisfaction lit up his face. - -"And would your Excellencies submit to that? It would be only for a few -minutes." - -"Oh yes, and I can answer for my friends." - -I was desirous of following up this little adventure, for these men were -no doubt almost driven to brigandage; and, if their demands could be -satisfied, they might become useful allies and good citizens. I was -already planning for the future. - -We walked back to the others, and I informed them of what had been -arranged. Carruthers treated it as a huge joke. He knew but a few -words of Rudarlian, and proceeded to use them vigorously as we followed -the litter. - -We continued our course down the path, which after a little swerved into -less close proximity to the valley below. Although still high up in the -mountain, we were beginning to be able to distinguish the natural -features of the panoramic landscape more clearly. - -What struck us most was the absence of human habitations, for the valley -looked as though it would be fertile, being well watered. - -I questioned the man whom I was walking beside. - -"Ah, your Excellency, it is strange to you, but has a different -significance to us; we to whom that land yielded a livelihood have been -driven to other ways of making one. Our harvests--good or bad, as the -good God decided--were taken from us in payment of taxes, which were so -great that even the whole year's profit would not pay them. So--what -would you? I, myself, worked ten years on the land my father and -grandfather had owned. But every year the burden grew greater; and, as -on the last occasion I could not pay the collector, he drove off my -animals, such as they were, and would have taken me to prison only I -stuck my knife into him and fled." - -He told me this quite calmly. He had most probably killed the -collector, but it evidently struck him as a justifiable deed, and in my -heart of hearts I could not altogether blame him. It gave me an inkling -of what the treatment of peasants was like, under the rule of this man -who starved his soldiers and squandered their pay on courtesans. - -A little farther on, we were informed that the time had come for them to -blindfold us; and there being no opposition they proceeded to do so. -With our eyes covered we were led forward again for a while, and then -the climb began. Our hands were placed in niches, or our feet guided to -some rock or projection, as, without mishap or inconvenience, we -clambered up and up, until once more our feet were on a pathway. -Another longish walk, a sharp turn, and then we were halted, and the -bandages which prevented our seeing taken away. - -I stood absolutely amazed, blinking my eyes to find out whether I was -really awake or dreaming, for we were in a place that no one could ever -have dreamed existed. It was like an enormous cup scooped out of the -mountain, and its sides must have been a couple of hundred feet high. -The diameter of the cup seemed over a mile; a more perfect hiding-place -it would have been impossible to conceive. There was one part covered -with fine trees, another splendid pasture, upon which were numerous -cattle and sheep, while a small stream wandered across the whole length -of the place, providing a good water supply. On our right stood some -fifteen wooden houses, substantially built, with patches of vegetable -gardens in front of each. - -This much I took in with my first bewildered glance. - -"Well, I'm damned!" said Carruthers. - -"So am I!" said I. - -"In fact we all are!" said Mr. Neville sagely. - -The litter had by now been carried down through the narrow fissure -through which we had entered, and a host of people came running from the -houses and fields; people of all ages and both sexes. They surrounded -us with looks far from amiable, until the nominal leader explained our -presence to their satisfaction, and incidentally to ours. I had a busy -time, for I believe they would all have embraced me. One did, but as -she turned out to be the betrothed wife of Piotr, she was forgiven; she -was a dashed fine looking girl too, so very attractive that Carruthers -grumbled, and murmured that he had wanted to save Piotr himself. - -For some days they feasted and made much of us; nor was it dull, for -Carruthers, as usual, had to try to teach the male portion of the -community how to play games. This was a source of continual delight to -him; and, as Mr. Neville was chiefly engaged in looking after Piotr, I -amused myself by enticing all and sundry into conversation. I say -"amused," but it really was not amusement to listen to some of the tales -of brutality of the tax gatherers with which these people had put up, -before breaking away to the free life they then led. - -Upon the day before the one upon which we had decided to leave, -Carruthers got up what he was pleased to call "Athletic Sports." It was -a great success, and some very fine performances took place; it was -astonishing, too, how these men took to the idea, and allowed themselves -to be bullied by Carruthers and myself, who acted as "Officials." The -event which was afterwards voted the greatest success was the obstacle -race for women; in this Carruthers had surpassed himself in the -ingenuity of the obstacles. Every one, both performers and onlookers, -was simply helpless with laughter before the end of the race, which was -won by a fine old woman of over sixty. - -Mr. Neville was attending Piotr, who sat propped up at one of the -windows. - -Piotr's reception of me was rather funny. He was so deadly ashamed of -his motive in coming to us as guide, especially so, when I chaffed him -about the path he had expected us to follow, by air. However, I -understood that in him I had a friend, who would sacrifice his life for -me should occasion arise. - -We had numerous conversations about Rudarlia, and I found that he was a -man of ideals, as well as being professionally a brigand; what is more, -I believed him when he told me that he had only taken to it when there -was no other way open. - -Mr. Neville had asked him whether he would give up his present career, -if the laws were readjusted. - -"Give us fair taxation, and justice, and we will serve God and the King -until the end," had been his response. - -"Ivan?" I asked. - -"I said a 'King,'" was the stern reply. "One who puts his country -before such things as his mistresses; Ivan is no king, he is a vile, -grasping tyrant." - -"Are there many who think as you do?" - -"I never knew or heard of a man who wouldn't rejoice at news of his -death." - -Decidedly the King was not beloved. - -We started early the next morning, and were almost sorry to go. We had -learned to like these simple-hearted, fierce people; and they seemed to -reciprocate the feeling. - -Piotr broke a coin in two, and presented me with one-half. - -"If you are in Rudarlia, and need me, send me that piece; if I am alive -I will come to you." - -I put it carefully away, thanking him for the promise. As a parting -gift, I made him accept my revolver. His eyes glistened at the sight of -it; but he swore that it should only be used in self-defence, and I knew -that he would keep his word. - -Our eyes were left unbandaged as we made our way out of the place: we -had given our word not to divulge the secret. - -The second in command acted as our guide, and before long we were out of -the mountains, and proceeding along the small, winding paths by which we -made our way to the main road from Melanov to Karena. Once we were upon -that we made better progress; and soon came to a small village called -Viritz, where we halted, for it was at this place that our guide was to -turn back. - -We made many purchases there, however, and fairly loaded up the horse; -the things we bought were to be divided among the men and women we had -just left. With many assurances of goodwill on both sides we parted, -our guide setting his face towards the mountains while we turned into -the inn for a meal. - -It was only after a good deal of trouble that we secured a cart to take -us and our small belongings towards Karena; but once the difficulty was -overcome we started gaily forward again. As usual, we entered into a -discussion of military affairs, and it struck us all that, from Melanov, -there would be no great obstacle in forcing a way through to the -capital, unless the fortifications of that city were very strong. That, -of course, we did not know; nor did the driver of our cart, a surly -brute, who had neither civility nor good looks to recommend him. - -We dismissed the cart at Yuhban, a somewhat larger village, where we had -determined to spend the night, under the vain illusion that we should -sleep. - -Alas, from the moment that we entered that wretched building we -suffered! And so it was until we left in the early morning, after -paying a bill which would not have disgraced the _Ritz_ in London. - -I made a mental note to the effect that when I returned to Rudarlia as a -saviour, in which rôle I had cast myself, the first, or one of the first -improvements I should inaugurate, would be the burning down of all such -inns, from one end of the country to the other. I believe that my -companions would have wanted to burn the innkeepers as well. - -From this village of fleas and worse, we escaped by a small motor-bus -which connected it with Karena, and allowed the driver to recommend the -_Carlton_ as the best, and most up-to-date of the Karenian hotels. We -were agreeably surprised to find that he had not misled us; it was quite -a credit to Rudarlia, with every convenience and comfort that could be -desired, as well as excellent cooking. I will confess that I do enjoy a -good dinner. - -We engaged a suite on the first floor; and from that time were looked -upon with favour by the staff, in spite of our scanty baggage. - -We spent two or three days in going round, sightseeing; but we soon -settled down to study the conditions under which the people lived. -Daily we took long walks or drives into the country, and nightly we sat -in cafés, entering into conversation with anyone and every one, always, -however, finding the same fierce resentment against the King and his -Court. There was a current of unrest among them all, dull mutterings -which betokened an approaching storm; and it seemed to me that only a -leader was needed to raise the whole country, but always that cursed -_cul-de-sac_: who to put in Ivan's place? We had a glimpse of him one -day, as we were returning to our hotel: a fat, bibulous-looking man, -with great coarse lips, and crafty eyes. - -Not a voice was raised as he drove through the great gates of his -palace, although there were many people present. His escort, who were -the only smart soldiers we had seen, looked as though disgusted with -their work of guarding him. Soon afterwards came another carriage in -which a woman was sitting, both young and beautiful. - -I asked a gentleman who was near me who she was. - -"I do not know, I have never seen that one before; if she's new, it will -mean fresh taxation, I suppose." - -"Why? I am afraid I don't quite understand; who is she?" - -"Some French girl most probably; whenever a new one appears, the taxes -go up; some one must pay for the jewels for the King's mistress." - -"Good God! can it really be so?" I asked, feigning surprise, for I was -desirous of obtaining more information. - -"The good God has deserted Rudarlia, monsieur, only the devil reigns -here now. But you are a stranger evidently, or you would not be -surprised. We Rudarlians have experienced it before, but----" he looked -at me quickly for a moment, lifted his hat and passed on. - -"Is your blood on the boil?" asked Mr. Neville, smiling. - -I did not answer, it was coming home to me so strongly that something -must be done; there would be bloodshed, insurrection, and red revolution -before long, if the present state of things continued. From the ashes, -what would arise? - -No state can stand an upheaval such as I pictured, without for many -years feeling the effect of it, more especially a race like the -Rudarlians, who are conservative by nature. - -What I could not understand was, how the nobles allowed it. Surely -there must be among them fine, strong men, capable of grasping the reins -and stopping the headlong rush to destruction; and then crept in the -word, jealousy. - -Jealousy, that accursed thing, which has wrecked so many ideas, and -brought misery to so many individuals. That would account for it. -Hating the present monarch, hating equally the heir, they would none of -them combine to alter matters, for fear that one of them should be -exalted over the others. - -Since then I have discovered that I misjudged them. - - - - - *CHAPTER V* - - -We had been in Karena for two weeks, and what puzzled me most was that -we had neither seen nor heard of Mr. Smith, for I felt sure my people -would have let him know that we were in the city. It seemed so strange -that one of my oldest friends should take no notice. I knew of course -that "Smith" was an assumed name, but I had no idea of his real one, so -even had I wished to ignore my parents' wishes, and make inquiries, I -should have been at a loss how to do so. - -It was this kind of thing which galled me, more especially now, when I -wished to include him in my dreams, when working out schemes for -Rudarlia's welfare. I never mentioned him to Mr. Neville, as I thought -it would be placing him in an awkward position, he who knew. - -If I had but known it, circumstances, even then, were drawing us -together; the wheels of chance were turning slowly, and we were destined -to meet in a manner which opened my eyes to the extraordinary laws of -coincidence. - -Carruthers and I had been out one evening on one of our nocturnal -wanderings in search of information, and were returning to our hotel, -when my companion suggested a stroll to the top of the road overlooking -Yuhban. - -I acquiesced, as this suggestion suited me perfectly. I was glad of an -excuse to breathe a little fresh air, after the hot and rather smelly -café, in which we had spent the best part of the evening. - -The route by which we were going would only take us about half a mile -out of our way. We did not speak much. Carruthers, for him, was -taciturn, and I, as usual, was trying to find a suitable successor to -King Ivan. - -It was a perfect night with a fine moon, so, having reached the place we -wanted, we stood for a few moments looking over the valley below. It -was a night for an artist or a poet, and little did we think, as we -stood there in peaceful silence, that a few minutes would bring horrid -strife. - -A motor was approaching from Yuhban. We could see her headlights as she -twisted and turned with the winding road; a big silent car, and a -magnificent hill-climber too, for she came up the steep bit at the top -without changing gear. When only about ten yards from where we were -standing, she stopped suddenly. We saw the chauffeur jump out, while at -the same time three men ran from the shadow of a wall, where they had -been hidden; they came up behind the car. Just as the chauffeur had -succeeded in opening one door, a man descended on the other side of the -car. - -He gave one quick glance round, and started running at top speed towards -us; and I saw the moonlight flash on a weapon he carried in his hand. -Hard after him came the three men and the chauffeur. - -"Come on, Splosh!" cried Carruthers. - -We sprang forward. I saw him send one man flying and jump at another, -but at that moment the pursued man stumbled, and his weapon flew out of -his hand, right at my feet. - -I stooped and picked it up; it was a sword-stick. The next moment, I -found myself parrying fierce and rapid sword-thrusts, almost without -knowledge. My astonishment gradually left me and I grew cool; it was -well I did, for I needed all my wits about me, my opponent being a -consummate swordsman. At first it was as much as I could do to keep -clear of his point; but, as I grew more collected, the better I fenced. -I had no idea what was happening to the others, but I had seen one -knocked out by Carruthers, and hoped that he and the pursued could -account for the other two. I recollected that my chum had his revolver -with him, and called out to remind him of the fact; he answered -something, and then a shot rang out just behind me. It startled me for -the moment, in spite of my being half-prepared for it, and my adversary -managed to touch my arm with his point, a mere prick. And then I lost -all knowledge except of the man I was fighting; only once did I remember -that there were others by me, and that was when Carruthers said: - -"You, Mr----?" - -After that there was silence again, only broken by the sound of our feet -and the grating of our sword-blades, as my opponent and I sprang -backwards and forwards. - -I had tried various attacks, and also foiled them; now I would try a -special favourite of my stepfather's. It was risky, I knew, as it left -rather an opening for a thrust through the arm; but I had to do -something, as this prolonged bout was beginning to make itself felt. - -Thank God, it had succeeded, and I heaved a sigh of relief, as my blade -passed through my adversary's shoulder. He gave a gasp and fell. - -I must say that the complete and sudden success of my attack staggered -me for a moment, so much so that I remained staring at the prostrate -man; then I turned--and stood with my mouth open, for there was Mr. -Smith with both arms outstretched. - -"You--was it you then?" - -"Yes, I, Victor, alive, thanks to you two; but come quickly, I will -explain as soon as we are out of this. We will send help for these -murderers, we can do nothing ourselves." - -"But I should like to do something for him," I said, pointing to my -opponent's body. - -"Leave it to me, my boy, I will see that he is taken care of. Quick! -quick! or we shall be in trouble." - -Together we ran to the car, passing three bodies, one shot, one stunned, -and one bound. - -"Jump in, I will drive," said Mr. Smith. - -He did drive, and the pace we went would have scared anyone; but he had -wonderful command over the car, and we had no accident. Somewhere on -the other side of the town he pulled up, outside a fine mansion standing -in a small park. As we stopped, the door of the house opened, and a man -hastened down the steps. - -"Thank God, Count! We were afraid something had happened to you." - -"So it did, Baron." - -"Where's Peter?" - -"In heaven, I hope; in hell, I am afraid." - -"As bad as that, was it?" - -"Worse: Goltz was in it." - -"Goltz!" He gave a little whistle. "Come in at once; but who are -these?" He indicated us with a wave of his hand. - -"Ah," said Mr. Smith, "who are they? Let me present to you Messieurs -Stevens and Carruthers; Baron von Sluben. Now let us go in for one -minute. By the way, Baron, will you 'phone to Ducrot, to look after -some bodies near his house? He will be pleased to find Goltz among -them--oh no, not dead. Tell him to treat them with the greatest -kindness and attention, as a mark of his affection to the man they did -not kill." - -We moved into the house, Baron Sluben leading the way. He threw open a -door, and we entered a very large room, which was packed with men and a -few ladies, all in evening dress. - -I touched Mr. Smith's arm. - -"We shall be awfully out of it, in these clothes," I said. - -"I don't think you need worry, Victor, you will always be conspicuous, -whether you like it or not." - -He knew my weakness. - -Most of the occupants looked up as we entered, and a general hum of -welcome arose. - -"May I present to you Monsieur Stevens, who has just bested Goltz in the -prettiest way imaginable; and Monsieur Carruthers, who accounted for two -of our enemies," said Mr. Smith. - -The hum of welcome changed to a cry of astonishment. - -"Goltz? is he dead? how did it happen?" And a score of other questions -were hurled at him. - -"My friends," he said, "listen. This evening I was returning from you -know where; I had just reached Monsieur Ducrot's house, when my -chauffeur stopped the car and came to the door. - -"'Hullo,' I said, 'what is wrong, what do you want?' - -"'You!' he replied. - -"I had my sword-stick in the car with me, and opening the other door I -jumped out. There were three more assailants; so, not wishing to lose -certain papers which I carried, I ran away with all four of them -following. I should certainly have been killed, if these two gentlemen -had not helped me; I slipped, dropping my sword, Monsieur Stevens picked -it up. Monsieur Carruthers stunned one man and engaged with another. -When I regained my wits and my feet, he was kneeling on the fellow, and -Peter, my trusted chauffeur, was trying to get at him with a knife. At -that moment, Monsieur Stevens yelled out to his friend to remember his -revolver. It reminded me that I also carried one. Peter died. Then we -bound the other fellow, and turned to the fencers; to my horror, I saw -that it was Goltz who was opposing my friend in need, but a moment later -I saw who that friend was, recognising him as some one I had known since -his birth, and had myself assisted to teach the use of a sword. - -"I was so confident of his skill, that I induced Monsieur Carruthers not -to interfere, and we stood by and watched. In a few moments, Goltz was -on the ground, with a very pretty hole in him. Not dead, oh dear no, -but it will be some time before he is upon his feet. That is the story. -Now look at Monsieur Stevens well; remember the face of the man who -overthrew the best swordsman in Rudarlia. You shall see him again, I -promise you, but now I take him with me." - -Before I could say anything, this astonishing man had ushered us both -out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him. - -Baron Sluben was outside too; but he was as puzzled as ourselves, until -Mr. Smith whispered something in his ear which caused him to glance at -us keenly. - -Mr. Smith turned to us. - -"Victor, and you too, Rupert, you know you have my thanks, you can -understand what I have in my heart. Some day, perhaps, I shall be able -to thank you properly for more than you think, as I had papers of vast -importance with me; and few of these people you have just seen would -have been comfortable, had I lost them. However, you must leave Karena -at once. My car is there; pick up Mr. Neville and your belongings, then -without wasting a minute get out upon the Poiska road, from there to -Orvlov, and then on to Soctia. Wait there at the Ivanoff Hotel until -you hear from me, and speak to no one about this night. You can trust -me to give you good advice. Sluben agrees with me." - -"Personally, I should advise getting the other side of the frontier; his -Majesty will be furious now Goltz is out of it for a time," said Baron -Sluben. - -"No, I have a reason for keeping them in the country; besides, no harm -will come to them in Soctia. Thank God we still have one place of -refuge. There is a British Consul there, and British ships in the -harbour." - -"But look here," said Carruthers, "I for one don't care about tearing -off as if in a funk, you know." - -"I hope it won't be for long; and, when I tell you that your going will -make matters easier for me, I'm sure you won't object," said Mr. Smith -soothingly. - -"Oh, of course not." - -"Thank you; will you remember that it is for the best, and make as much -speed as possible getting out of Karena? And now au revoir, my dear -lads; thank you for my life, and the lives of others." - -Without saying anything more, we shook hands; Carruthers and I jumped -into the car, and we were off. - -I knew the town fairly well by this time, and had no difficulty in -finding my way to the hotel. Carruthers went to see Mr. Neville and -explain matters to him, while I interviewed the manager and settled our -account. The gratuities I gave were large enough to make the recipients -show their gratitude by doing all within their power to expedite our -departure; to explain which, I informed the manager that sickness had -recalled us to Paris, and that we should go through Bornia, by way of -Agrade, as we had to pick up a friend. There was no malice in these -untruths; but I thought it justifiable to mislead, under the -circumstances. - -An hour after reaching the hotel, we drove off; Mr. Neville inside, -Carruthers with me. - -Remembering Mr. Smith's advice, we did not waste time, so that soon -after day-break we ran through Poiska; where Mr. Neville took my place, -and we dozed off for a spell inside. - -We had breakfast at a small inn, just off the high road; and did not -stop again until we reached Orvlov, where we lunched, and procured a -supply of petrol for the motor. - -From there, it was a pleasant run to the coast, through beautiful -country; we did not hurry, the better to appreciate. - -For a week or more, we stayed near the Hotel Ivanoff, merely killing -time with bathing and boating; when, however, no message came from -Karena we commenced to go farther afield, and explored the country and -coast. - -One day I found my conscience pricking me: there were letters which -should have been answered. So I was left behind, while the others -started for a day's excursion. Now, letter-writing never possessed any -great attraction for me; and, after scribbling two or three, I thought -the day was too fine to be wasted, so I took a book, an ample supply of -smokables, also a luncheon basket, and, walking to a little place a mile -or two from the town, hired a boat. - -I worked off a good deal of superfluous energy; and then paddled gently -up a small tributary of the Garude, which watered a beautiful part of -Garace, that fair province which had been Rudarlian until some fifty -years before, when the conquering Bornians had taken it. - -I tied up the boat, jumped ashore, and made myself comfortable, with -every prospect of enjoying a quiet afternoon. Having finished my lunch, -and lighted my pipe, I stretched myself luxuriously on the soft grass, -and began to read. The first chapter of the book held my attention, but -the second and third bored me; so I closed the volume, pitched it into -the boat, and settled myself down to think. - -Acting on the advice of Mr. Neville, Carruthers and I had not discussed -our experiences with Mr. Smith; we had agreed to wait until we heard -from him, but I had thought a great deal of the incident. I knew now -with certainty that he was a nobleman, that he was working against the -present monarch, and the members of the party we had seen in the house -were in the plot with him. I went over every detail of the evening, and -came to the conclusion that he had had some ulterior motive in wishing -me to get the better of Goltz. What it could be I could not guess, -unless it was that he hoped some day to make me of use in his schemes; -this struck me as the most probable solution to his having taken the -trouble to introduce us to his fellow-conspirators. But why did he wish -us to remain on Rudarlian soil? In Bornia we could have been nearer to -him, if he had wanted us. Perhaps the time was close for him to strike, -and perhaps the rebellion, if he intended to rebel, would start in -Soctia. - -What a grand day it was, and how beautiful all this country! It -reminded me somewhat of the river at home: there was the same feeling of -peace, the same silence, only broken by the ripple of the water, or the -buzzing of insects. I closed my eyes for a second. - -How many seconds passed before I opened them again, I have no idea, but -I must have slept very soundly; and I awakened slowly from a dream, in -which Carruthers had fallen and hurt himself--he was groaning. So vivid -had the illusion been, that I looked round for him as I awoke; there was -no sign of him, of course, but the daintiest vision, in white, was -sitting where I had thought to see him. The daintiest vision was nursing -her ankle, with many little "ohs!" and "ahs!" For a second I did not -move, the picture was too fascinating. Then I raised my length from the -grass, and took off my hat. It had been very much over my eyes; so in -courtesy I raised it, and put it back at a more becoming angle. - -"Can I be of any assistance, mademoiselle?" - -"Oh, thank you so much. I've hurt my ankle; if you would be so kind as -to dip my handkerchief in the water----" - -She looked up at me with a pair of eyes which she ought to have kept -veiled, and held out a small wisp of white material. It was entirely -inadequate for any purpose whatever, so I dipped my handkerchief -instead. - -"Perhaps you will permit me to bind it for you, it is so difficult to do -it oneself." - -"Thank you very much." - -She removed her shoe and stocking, and a sweet slim foot was placed -hesitatingly out; there was a very nasty scratch which must have been -quite painful. I bound it up with great care, making my handkerchief -nice and tidy, with hers placed over it. - -"There, I think you will find that comfortable." - -"Indeed, yes; I am extremely grateful to you. Are you a surgeon?" - -"No, nothing so useful, I am afraid, merely a passer-by." - -"Yes. Are you generally so successful?" - -She laughed merrily; and I remembered the pose in which she must have -first caught sight of me. - -"I was passing time," I said gravely. - -She was an extremely beautiful girl--extremely beautiful. I have -repeated that statement, in order the better to explain why I forgot -about everything, save the fact that she was sitting on the grass near -me. It is so; all thoughts of action to be, all thoughts of things -past, were as nothing compared to the witchery of this young -wood-nymph's company. - -It seemed almost as if we had been acquainted for years; there was no -shyness, we simply talked and argued like two friends. - -As the afternoon sped on, I began to feel that I had expected to meet -her here, as if my whole being had existed for nothing else. -Unquestionably she filled a space which before had been empty. There -was no reason on my part; I couldn't have argued about my feelings at -all, I had to accept them. - -I flatter myself that the wounded ankle had been forgotten as completely -as I had failed to remember that I had to get back to Soctia; until the -lengthening of the shadows drew our attention to the flight of time. -Then, in haste, my companion must be off; she would under no -circumstances hear of my accompanying her, as she lived but a few -hundred yards away. - -"And would it be possible for me to find you here to-morrow?" I asked as -I bent over her hand in saying good-bye. - -"Why, yes." - -"Then expect me, mademoiselle." - -We said good-bye. She gave me her hand for a second, and then turned -and hurried up the grassy bank and disappeared; while with a light heart -I untied my boat, and taking a last look in the direction the girl had -gone, pushed off, and sculled towards Soctia. - -I was quite happy; my thoughts were in a whirl certainly, but why -trouble, what did anything matter, had I not met this divine creature? - -I would be in the same place to-morrow, I should see her again, and -learn her name. Not that I cared who she was; at that moment I would -have proposed marriage to her, had she been a serving maid. I knew she -was not that, of course; only a lady could have carried herself so -perfectly, and her voice was exquisite in its soft melody. - -In my youthfulness, I presumed that she on her side would be as ready as -myself to meet again, and learn to know me better. I don't think that -this was conceit on my part; but it had all come about so quickly and -naturally that anything else would have seemed inconceivable to me. - -I do not know what coin it was that I gave the man who took the boat -from me; but it must have been of considerable value, to judge by the -thanks he poured upon me. - -Little did I dream, as I walked up to the hotel, of the awful news that -awaited me. - -Mr. Neville met me as I raced up to the hotel; and the look on his face -checked any exuberance in my greeting. - -"My boy," he said as we entered my room, "I have very bad news for you: -your stepfather is, I am afraid, very ill." - -He handed me the telegram which had brought the bad news, and I read: - -"Your stepfather is dying come." - -As if in a dream, I said good-bye to Carruthers, who was to await Mr. -Smith's message; got into the car with Mr. Neville, and we were off. - -Of the journey that followed, I have the vaguest remembrance; I was too -miserable. My stepfather had become so much to me; I loved him as well -as though he had been my own father. I think that I have known few men -who could, with so much right, say: "I have lived as a gentleman -should." - -Oh, the interminable waits, the stupidity of porters and booking clerks, -the slowness of that short journey from Calais to Dover. I felt as -though we had to travel round the world, and yet we accomplished an -awkward journey in remarkable time. - -At our little station, I found Bauen waiting; but he could give us no -reassuring news, the best being that he was still alive. - -My mother was in the bedroom when I arrived; and, after kissing her, we -stood together, hand in hand, gazing down upon what had been such a -magnificent specimen of manhood, but which was now the mere husk of what -had been. - -He lay without movement, it seemed as though even then he might be dead. -As we stood silently, with all our nerves taut and overstrung, I prayed -that he might open his eyes once more, and speak to me. I think my -prayer was heard, for, just as Mr. Neville came in and stood by us, the -dying man's eyes opened, and, perfectly conscious, he tried to smile at -Mr. Neville. Then to my mother he murmured two words, full of love and -pride, "My wife." When they rested on me, as I stood swallowing down my -tears, he said, "Why, Victor, my boy." His eyes closed for a moment, -then opened again. "God save your Majesty!" he cried; the next moment -he was gone. - -Stunned by the suddenness of his departure, I turned to my mother, who -was standing quite still, with the tears streaming down her cheeks. I -put my arms round her, but she broke away and flung herself down with -her arms around the dead man's neck, and cried as though her heart were -broken. - -Her grief, or rather the greatness of it, surprised me, for in all my -life until then I had never seen my mother give way. I had had no idea -that her feelings for my stepfather had been so strong; she had always -appeared so calm and cold that I had never given her credit for any deep -feelings, much as I loved her. Her grief for some time was so -overpowering that I could do nothing; but presently, as her sobs grew -less racking I took her in my arms and did my poor best to console her. -Then little by little she seemed to regain control over herself, and I -persuaded her to go to her own room. - -I returned to the bed-side, and all alone stood there, indulging my -sorrow. I registered a vow, as I gazed down at the now peaceful face, -that I would do all that I could to live a life as free from stain as -his had been, and to try and act in a way which would have given him -pride in me. - -I think the three most miserable days of my life were those that -followed my stepfather's death. He was buried on the third day. How -unhappy I was then, both on account of the loss we had suffered and -other things which followed. - -Mr. Smith attended the funeral. I felt no surprise at his appearing -just before we left the house; it had seemed part of the mystery of my -life that he should be there. I did not think of our last meeting, nor -of how he could have come so quickly on our tracks, nor did I wonder at -the first words I heard him speak to my mother: "It is time." - -Usually I should have pondered deeply on such things, but now I was too -unhappy. - -I was alone in my study, that room which had been my nursery; and I sat -by the window wondering, for I had heard as though in a dream that my -stepfather had been an enormously wealthy man, and had bequeathed me -all. How much it was the solicitor could not tell me, but in England -alone he had invested something over ten millions of pounds, and I -understood that there was more than that sum invested about the world. -It was stupendous, and though I did not realise it, although I did not -understand what my power in the world would be, I groaned at thought of -the endless labour such a vast inheritance would involve. - -Heart-sick and weary, I looked out over the sunlit river and recalled -the events of the last few days, sorrowing at the thought that I could -never discuss with my stepfather those things of which I had been full: -our meeting with Quarovitch, the incident of the brigands, my fight with -Goltz, and finally my little friend of the riverside, the girl whose -name even I did not know. - -My stepfather's last words came to my mind: "God save your Majesty!" -What could they mean? I supposed that it was some memory of the past, -for I knew he had been in the diplomatic service. - -There was a tap at the door, and Mr. Neville entered. My stepfather's -death had affected him very much, for a great friendship existed between -the two. He came to me and placed his hand upon my shoulder. - -"Victor, my dear boy, I hate to disturb you, but your mother has asked -me to fetch you; it appears that the time has come when you are to be -told all those things which have so puzzled you. It seems hard that it -should have come just now, but who knows? It may be for the best. Your -future may offer many hard and hateful features; but when it is a case -of duty, you, I know, can be depended on. Always remember that you will -have people who love you to help and direct you, and over them all is -our Maker." - -We descended together; but, when we came to the door of the room where -my mother and Mr. Smith were sitting, he turned and would not have -entered, had not my mother insisted upon his being present. I bent to -kiss her as I passed, and her arms went round my neck, as she returned -the caress, murmuring: - -"My boy, my dear boy." - -I sat down on a low settee by her side, and waited for her to speak. - -Inwardly, I was a mass of nerves. I had waited so long to hear all I -was now to be told; I felt strangely nervous, as though evil was coming. -How would the revelations affect my life? - -"I think you had better speak, Count," said my mother. - -"One minute," I said. "Tell me your name first, please, Mr. Smith." - -"Count von Zeula." - -"Thank you." I nodded, well satisfied, for the name was well known to -me. Many things had been done for Rudarlia, by men bearing that name, -during some hundreds of years. - -"I shall want all your attention, Victor, as what I have to tell you may -come as a shock, and first I must relate a little story, a story which -at the time of its happening was in everybody's mouth. It is a story of -misery. - -"Twenty years or so ago, a good King sat upon the throne of Rudarlia; he -was loved by the greater part of his subjects, and in return he -dedicated his life to their welfare, whole-heartedly and devotedly. - -"Unfortunately, there were men, nobles, who found that his rule was -injurious to their interests, these interests being the right to fill -their exchequers from the pockets of the lower classes. - -"They conspired with the next heir to the throne, who was more to their -liking. - -"Then the King married, and his wife gave birth to a son, amid the -joyful acclamations of the nation. - -"The conspirators redoubled their activity. They bought over a few -officers, and some hundreds of the private soldiers. They waited a -favourable opportunity, working secretly all the while; then raised a -scare of war. The loyal officers in immediate attendance on their -Majesties were sent away. The King reviewed a regiment, an assassin -shot him dead." - -Mr. Smith brushed a hand across his eyes, was silent for a moment, and -then continued: - -"That night a cry was raised that justice had been done, for they swore -the dead King had meant to betray them to their fancied enemies. - -"The next step was to incite the lowest class of the people, urging them -to attack the King's Palace where the Queen and her child lay. Sweeping -into the Royal apartments, they shot them both, presumably; then, -frightened at their own atrocity, they ran away. The next day, Ivan was -proclaimed King; he had been waiting just over the border. - -"A rumour got abroad that some miscreant had set fire to the bedchamber -of the Queen, when she had been murdered. This was not so--it was I who -set the bed on fire to burn the bodies on it." - -"My God!" I said. - -"They, however, were not the remains of the Queen and her child, the -King, but those of a groom's wife and offspring, whose lives were -unfortunately sacrificed to save the Royal Mother and the baby King. No -one looked too closely into the matter, a few of the royal jewels were -there, and the Queen's clothing, also the charred bodies; but the Queen -herself and her child were in safety." - -"Is the child alive?" I cried breathlessly. - -"He is," said Mr. Smith gravely. - -"And you are working for him. Oh, thank God, I can see the way clearly -now; let me do something to help." - -"Eh?" - -"Ever since I first went to Rudarlia, I have been trying to find some -way out, and could discover no plan to work on, for Ivan's heir, they -say, is as bad as he is--but now--a King of Merlin's blood. Oh, thank -God! Tell me the groom's name, is he alive?" In my excitement I had -risen and was bending over him. - -I looked into his eyes as his face was raised to mine; they were full of -tears. - -"His name, Victor, is Bauen." - -"Bauen--Bauen!--our Bauen?" - -"Your Bauen." - -"Then why is he here, what does it mean?" I looked at my mother, her -face was buried in her hands. - -"It means," said Mr. Smith, rising from his chair, "that you are the -King of Rudarlia; and I, your very humble servant." - -He seized my hand and kissed it. - - - - - *CHAPTER VI* - - -"'You are the King of Rudarlia,'" I repeated. - -I looked at him blankly, he kept his eyes fixed on mine; at my mother, -her face was buried in her hands, and I saw her shake with sobs; lastly -I turned to Mr. Neville, and to him I held out my hand. - -"Tell me that it is not true, tell me-- Oh, my God!--can't you? won't -you say he is joking?" My voice, which was hoarse, cracked with the -strain of keeping from screaming. - -"It is true, Victor." - -"Then nothing on God's earth shall make me take the throne--nothing--I -swear that I----" I leaned against the table for support. -"Mother--mother, is this what you have kept from me, this awful thing? -Can't one of you speak?--am I to be hurled into a throne?--My God--I -won't, I won't." - -I collapsed into a chair, and buried my head in my arms; that this -should have come to me, that my life should be suddenly cropped of its -freedom, that I should be bound hand and foot-- Oh, my God, hadn't -there been some other way to try me? - -I looked up, and found that I was crying; damn the tears! I brushed -them away, and caught Mr. Smith's eye; he was looking at me sadly as -though ashamed of my behaviour. - -I felt suddenly as though ice had been placed on my spine, and shivered. -Was this the best I could do? My dead stepfather, what would he have -thought? What did Mr. Neville think? - -I remembered Colonel von Quarovitch, and his ragged troops. Those other -brave men turned into brigands by oppression. The gathering of -gentlefolk in Mr. Smith's house. Mr. Smith himself, who had planned and -plotted so many years for me. And lastly my mother; what could she be -thinking of her son? I felt Mr. Neville's hand on my shoulder, and gave -a weak little laugh. - -"I'm a pretty spectacle for a King," I said quietly, "a most noble and -worthy specimen. Mother dear, look up--it's all over, you shall never -hear another kick from me. And you, Mr. Smith, you acclaimed me as -King. Very well, I will be King; such a King as you may wish--with -God's help--and--and--all of you might forgive me for being such a -rotter." - -Mr. Smith seized my hand again and kissed it. Tears were running down -his cheeks; and they were not unmanly. My outbreak had unnerved him, -for he had no doubt seen the edifice of his building fall in ruins -before him; but it had been the sudden relief at hearing my acceptance -which had caused the tears. - -"May God bless your Majesty!" he said. - -My dear old tutor's arm was round my shoulders, and I heard him murmur: - -"My boy, my boy, I am proud of you." - -I bent over my mother. - -"Mother dear, don't cry, or I shall think you cannot forgive me. I will -be King, and will try to rule as my father did." - -She looked up then and smiled. - -"I'm crying now because I am so happy." - -None of us spoke for a few minutes; perhaps we needed the time to pull -ourselves together. I did for one, then I said: - -"Now that I have settled that I am going to be King, it might be -advisable for Mr. Smith to give us any information on the subject which -he thinks fit; but first I should like to know why he wished us to -remain in Rudarlia?" - -He considered a little before saying: - -"Because the time is at hand: Ivan is on his deathbed. You must be -there to take his place when he dies; I have everything arranged; they -trusted me to produce the King." - -"And will no one think that I am an impostor?" - -"I fancy not; several of us have known of your identity, they have -worked with me. There are thousands of people who will know your -mother, and there is Bauen; I do not think there are many who will deny -his testimony, once his part of the affair is known; also, you have on -your arm a mark, which will be recognised by the doctor who attended at -your birth." - -"When will it be necessary for us to depart?" - -"To-morrow. It was your wounding Goltz which put the finishing touch to -him; they say his rage was terrible. They told him the whole affair had -been arranged by me. He was very ill before, but that finished him." - -"But to-morrow, is it absolutely essential that we should go so soon?" - -"Quite, you must meet the leaders of the party as soon as possible; you -may be assured that Ivan's sycophants will not allow Prince Alexis to -remain in ignorance of his cousin's state. In all probability he will -be in Karena before us." - -"If he is, we must turn him out as quickly as he came." - -"We will," said Mr. Smith with emphasis. - -And there we left it for the time. I took Mr. Neville away for an hour, -up to my room, where we sat by the window in the chairs which I had left -so willingly, to hear those things which I now wished unheard. We -looked out on the river, and the sight of the sparkling water brought -back to me the last afternoon I had spent in Garace, and the girl; I -sighed, and turned to my companion. - -"My dear old friend," I said, "you will understand me when I tell you -that the news this afternoon has completely thrown me off my balance; -that all my plans have come down with a smash; that the idea of kingly -power has no charm for me; that I would sooner be a subaltern in the -Rudarlian army, with a frayed cap, than wear all the kingly regalia. My -life in England has taught me the joys of freedom too well; I tell you -candidly, that I fear the future. I dread it, the more so now, as in -all probability I shall have to make a marriage that will be to the -benefit of the state, and I had other dreams." - -He looked at me quickly. - -"Is there anyone?" he asked. - -I felt myself growing red. - -"It may be only calf-love, but I don't think so, yet I have only seen -her once. I don't even know her name, but the moment I saw her I knew -that I loved her." - -"Tell me about it," he said. - -I had half feared that he would laugh at me, but he only looked rather -sad and decidedly sympathetic. So emboldened, I blurted out in a shamed -way the story of my meeting with the girl. - -He listened in silence until I had finished, then he held out his hand -to me. - -"My boy," he said, "a very similar thing happened to me when I was about -your age. I thought that I had lost all interest in life when she -married some one else; unluckily, I had nothing in my life to fill the -gap; I let myself become a mere machine in my work. I was morose, -refusing to look for help to the quarter from which real assistance can -come; I mean from God. And then one day, when I was thinking of all my -misery, the thought flashed over me that perhaps it was a trial, perhaps -I was being tested; and that idea won the day. I believed then, as I do -now, that, no matter what trials come to us, there is thought and -purpose behind them. - -"Our finite minds cannot hope to understand the workings of an infinite -one, so my advice to you is this: do with all your might those things -that you think it your duty to do, and leave the results to God. Man -cannot be infallible. You will make mistakes; profit by them; try to -forget your own sorrows in healing those of your country. - -"In time you will be able to look at everything with a fresh sense of -perspective. - -"Love, if it should come to you with your marriage, will, I daresay, be -of inestimable value to you. What you feel now may be more the feelings -of sexual attraction than the fuller love of comradeship and mental -sympathy; love does enter Royal marriages, in spite of the cynics." - -"I will try to think as you suggest," I said. "But there are other -things of which I wish to talk to you. To begin with, will you come -with me to Rudarlia, will you continue to be my friend and adviser as -you have been up to now? I know that once I am on the throne I shall -always have to have Rudarlians about me; but my own private friends they -cannot object to. As my private secretary, you will always be near me -to help and advise. Will you come?" - -"It may cause jealousy." - -"I can't help it if it does. After Ivan and his many mistresses, they -will have to allow me one man friend; and I believe they will be pleased -to." - -"Then I will come." - -"Now one thing more, will you stay here and look after my mother until -she can come to Rudarlia?" - -"Of course I will, if she wishes it." - -We sat up until three in the morning discussing ways and means; but made -no attempt to listen to more than a bare outline of what Mr. Smith had -arranged. It would all have to come out gradually, in time I should no -doubt learn how he had worked so successfully; he stuck to the principal -things and nothing could side-track him. I slept for two hours, and -then went to see Bauen. - -It was a great day for him; he was to come to Karena with us. He had -been looking forward for twenty years to seeing me upon my throne. - -I believe that his soul was wrapped up in one idea, that of doing his -duty to my family. I doubt if any man, noble or commoner, had ever -served a Royal family with such self-sacrifice and devotion. - -He had given his wife and only child, to save my mother and myself; and -had exiled himself for twenty years from friends and country, to -continue in our service. God bless him. - -We, that is Mr. Smith and I, spent the day with my solicitor, attending -to some of the business entailed by my inheritance. Then, in the -evening, we embarked on the journey which would bring either a crown or -death to me. - -I say "death" advisedly; for, should anything have gone wrong with Mr. -Smith's plans, it was hardly likely that Alexis and his followers would -allow me to live. - -I am glad to be able to feel that the thought of danger rather pleased -me than otherwise. - -We had cabled to Carruthers to meet us at Ruln, a frontier post, much -farther south than Melanov. - -We did not waste a moment of the time our journey consumed. Mr. Smith -was instructing me in the education of a King. - -At Ruln we had two hours to wait, according to the time-table; but, by -lavish bribery, Mr. Smith secured a special to take us as far as the -junction, at Katalona. - -Leaving Bauen in charge of the luggage--which was light--we went in -search of Carruthers. - -We found him seated upon a bench, the picture of glumness. - -"Hullo, Splosh!" he cried, his face lighting up at sight of us. "What a -forsaken place this is. I've been here five hours, and only spoken to -one man, who thinks he came from 'the thigh of Jupiter,' to judge by his -side. Look, there he is." - -A dissipated looking young man, of about my own age, had slouched out on -to the platform, followed by a couple of older men, both of whom were -muffled up in overcoats, in spite of the fact that it was a warm -evening. - -I heard Mr. Smith draw in a hissing breath, and turned to where he had -been standing. - -"Hist! don't look my way, I am just in the doorway to your left; walk -towards me, and stop opposite. I don't wish to be seen--that is Prince -Alexis." - -"Who?" asked Carruthers. - -"An enemy, old man, you shall know everything in a little while." - -I looked with interest at my rival, though I took good care not to allow -him to see it. - -If ever a man of his age had vice written clearly upon his face, he had; -and I thought to myself that it would go even worse with Rudarlia under -his rule than under Ivan's, should he ever come to the throne. There was -cruelty, craftiness, and gross sensuality in his countenance. - -Luckily, after walking up and down the platform two or three times, in -close conversation with his companions, he disappeared once more into -the miserable room. As he did so, an official approached and, with many -bows, informed us that our special was waiting, a few yards down the -track, with our baggage on board. - -Mr. Smith kept his face turned away, as we passed the window of the room -where Alexis was sitting. In ten minutes, we were a mile or more away -from Ruln. - -The pace at which we were travelling caused the single coach to rock and -rattle horribly; so much so, that it was necessary for Carruthers to sit -very close to me to hear what I said, as I had to speak in a low tone. - -He was amazed and delighted that, as he expressed it, his old Splosh was -going to be a King. - -Then the silly fellow insisted upon kissing my hand and generally -playing the fool; I think he did it to keep my spirits up. - -Mr. Smith looked on with a grim smile. I fancy he thought that stern -realities would come soon enough. - -There was a basket of provisions in the carriage; and, when we had -finished our meal, he advised me to try to sleep. I took his advice, -and slept like a log until he awoke me with the news that we were just -getting into Katalona. - -Two soldiers were lounging upon the platform as we alighted. I noticed -that they saluted as we passed them, and then followed us at a little -distance. - -In less than an hour the car in which we had driven from the junction -pulled up at Mr. Smith's house. - -The driver followed us in. - -Without speaking, Mr. Smith led the way into a room fitted up as a -library; it was still dark, so he switched on the electric light. At -the same moment, three other men entered the room. Bauen had come in -with us. - -He assisted me to remove my covert-coat; then, bowing deeply, stood -back. - -Mr. Smith advanced a step towards me. - -"Your Majesty," he said, "would you remove your coat, and show your -right arm to these gentlemen?" - -Without a word I did so. - -Just above my elbow, I have three small red marks. They are triangular -in shape; birthmarks, I think they are called. - -The three men came nearer, and I held out my arm for their inspection. - -The first to examine it was a white-haired old man, who trembled -violently as he bent over. He seized my hand and kissed it. - -"God bless your Majesty." - -The other two did the same. - -"Count Belen and Count von Maark will be here to-day, if further -testimony is needed; we have here, as well, Bauen, the groom," said Mr. -Smith. - -"No further identification is necessary," declared the old man, and -bowing the three withdrew. - -Mr. Smith had prepared me for this, so I was not surprised, but I did -not know who these three men were, and asked him. - -"The white-haired one was the doctor who attended your Majesty's mother, -at the time of your birth; the other two are Prince von Venoff and Baron -von Casile." - -He bowed as he spoke. I glanced round, as I was surprised at his -ceremonious behaviour: the driver of the car was still in the room. - -"Surely, Count," I said, "there is some one here whom I should know?" -And I smiled towards the man. - -"May I present, to your Majesty, Colonel Woolgast, who commands the -body-guard?" - -The Colonel bent to kiss my hand, but I prevented him; seized his -instead, and shook it. - -"Until I am King," I said, "I will shake your hand and call you -'Colonel'; when I am King, you shall kiss my hand, but I will call you -'General.'" - -He became red with pleasure; and, by the twinkle in Mr. Smith's eye, I -knew that I had done right to make a friend of this man. - -Colonel Woolgast having left the room, I turned to Mr. Smith. - -"Have you done anything about Prince Alexis?" I asked. - -"I am sending a man to watch him. Woolgast will see to it that he does -not enter the Royal apartments. In a little time you will have to -receive a great number of people; I will be by your side to tell you -what I can of them, to give you a better idea of what to say. All are -devoted to Rudarlia. I am glad you said what you did to Woolgast, he is -not titled, you know, and some rather snub him on that account; but he -is a good man, loyal to a degree to his country." - -"Are there any members of the government?" - -"Not one; they cannot be trusted, all being Ivan's parasites." - -"How will that affect our plans, surely the Minister of War will have -something to say?" - -"He is the worst hated man among them, the soldiers execrate him." - -"H'm! I shall look to you for a New Cabinet." - -"Your Majesty will need one, as all the present members will be in our -power by to-night, I trust. General von Vorkovitch will give orders to -the troops for that." - -"How is it that he has not been retired by Ivan?" - -"Even Ivan did not dare to touch the man who won the battle of Vortz. -He has been the idol of the country for years, but had no chance of -doing anything to retrieve matters." - -"Jealousy?" I asked. - -"Chiefly, there was no one to be the head, that was why we had to wait -until you came to an age fit for it." - -We had no time for more conversation, as the sound of motors approaching -warned us that people were arriving to pay me homage. - -I stood at one end of the room--which was very large--and waited. Mr. -Smith was at my right, a little behind me; Carruthers and Bauen behind -him again. My ordeal began. - -The first few to arrive were soldiers, officers commanding regiments now -in Karena. - -These I thanked for their loyalty, and asked a few questions about their -commands. - -They looked at me with well-bred curiosity. At my request, Carruthers -was made known to them by Mr. Smith, and he stood chatting with them -while I devoted myself to the ever-flowing tide of fresh arrivals. - -They were not all men, some dozen ladies being among them. One of -these, a grand old lady with snow-white hair, had been a friend of my -mother's. So Mr. Smith whispered as she came towards me. - -I kissed her hand and asked her to extend her friendship to me for my -mother's sake. - -"Your Majesty should have more self-confidence," she replied. - -And when I laughingly hinted that she should teach me, she laughed in -reply and told me that, had she been forty years younger, she would have -been charmed. - -I assured her, with an air of astonishment, that I thought babies were -useful to teach patience only. - -This pleased her mightily, for she remarked that her sex would be no -better off by my replacing Ivan, for whilst he ruled women with writing, -I should do it with speaking. - -This delicately veiled gibe at Ivan, for his predilection for paying -vast sums of money to his mistresses by cheque, pleased those who heard -it tremendously. - -"Prince Kleber, he prides himself on his fencing," this from Mr. Smith. - -I looked at the haughty, cold face before me. - -"Ah, Prince," I said after the customary salutations, "some day I hope -that you will give me a lesson or two with the foils." - -The haughty look vanished in a second. - -"Your Majesty is too kind; I am flattered." - -"The kindness will be yours, Prince, if you will give me the lessons." - -"But what could I teach your Majesty, who gave Goltz such a fine -thrust?" - -"A trick, Prince; but what I wish from you is the sounder play, and the -knowledge of some of those thrusts of which, no doubt, you have the -secret." - -I found out afterwards that Mr. Smith's words had been of inestimable -value, for this was his weak point: no one could flatter him too much -about his sword-play. In other things he was unapproachable; but from -that day to this Prince Kleber and I have been very great friends. - -The room was filling up now, and I saw Mr. Smith's face wreathed in -smiles, from which I surmised that I was playing my part well. - -There was a little commotion in the crowd, and General von Vorkovitch -was announced. - -He was much older than I had anticipated, bowed, and rather shaky. - -He would have bent in homage, had I not anticipated it by advancing a -step or two and taking his hand. - -"Your Majesty," he said slowly, "I have waited for this day, praying -that I might be spared to see my King upon the throne of Rudarlia." - -"General, before I knew that I was to be a King, even when a little boy -at school, I thought of and longed to see the victor of Vortz, so God -has been good to us both." I turned to Bauen. "A chair for General von -Vorkovitch." Then turning to the old man, I continued, "Sit, General, -we shall want all your strength, perhaps, to win us more battles." - -The last to arrive was the editor of the most influential paper in -Rudarlia, a man of much importance. His articles on the abuse of power -had more than once caused the suppression of his paper, and exile or -imprisonment to himself. - -I was talking to him, when Mr. Smith made me a sign; I knew what it -meant, and nodded. - -He immediately commanded silence. Instantly a hush fell on the groups -of excited men and women, and they formed a circle round me. - -My speech was an impromptu one, the first of many, for I have found -that, when one speaks without preparation, one often gets home to the -hearts of one's hearers. - -"To all of you here this morning, I have a few words to say. God made -me, by birth, your King; you, by the loyalty and devotion you have -shown, have brought me near the throne. I thank you in my murdered -father's name and my own. If it is willed that I shall fill the place -you would have me fill, I promise you that Rudarlia shall have a monarch -who thinks of his country first in all things, and that unjust taxation, -favouritism, and wanton waste of public moneys shall be unknown while I -have the honour to be your King. Once again I thank you." - -They were very simple words, but their effect was extraordinary; carried -away no doubt by their excitement and joy, they cheered, and cheered -again. I heard Carruthers' voice as he hurrahed like one possessed; and -I felt that indeed I was a King come into my own. - -It was ten in the morning before the last of the visitors drove off, and -we were left alone. - -I felt very tired, and I cannot truthfully say happy. Events had moved -so quickly that I had had no time for my private griefs; perhaps it was -lucky. - -Soon after we breakfasted; and then I had to receive church dignitaries, -but their business did not occupy much time. I had been born into the -Catholic Church, and had a great love for it, so there was nothing to -upset the churchmen, once I had given my word to uphold and cherish -their faith. Their power, which was considerable, had been against Ivan -from the first, for he had abused and scoffed at all religion, being -himself a gross materialist. - -The Archbishop blessed me, and assured me of the support of his clergy. - -When they had gone, Mr. Smith ran over again the various factions who -had been gained to our side; and it appeared that the only enemies we -were likely to have were the newly created nobles and useless officials, -together with a small number of idealists who held theories, always -impracticable. - -"I know," said Mr. Smith, "that nearly the whole nation will rejoice to -have your father's son upon the throne. You have made friends of every -one who came to-day, one and all went away rejoicing. I have done all I -can now to make the way smooth; but it rests in God's hands, Victor. His -will be done." - -"Amen," I said. - -We lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and then he continued: - -"The Press will have a scoop to-morrow. I thought it best to leave to -them the writing of the first news; it will be necessary, however, for -you to make a declaration, simple and short, as your speech this -morning. I could never have believed those people could have so far -forgotten the Royal presence, their feelings must have been very great." - -"All the better, it shows how they love Rudarlia." - -"Some day it will be their King as well," said Mr. Smith. - -And inwardly I hoped that it might be so. - -"How are we to know when to go?" I asked. - -"They will let me know from the Palace; the news of Ivan's death will -not be told until we choose. Every one, save the doctors, nurses, and -Woolgast, will have been kept from the sick-room all to-day. One of the -doctors is our man; the other will be when he finds that he is -practically a prisoner." - -"But the Queen? I have never until now thought of her." - -"The Queen, poor lady, has confined herself more and more these last few -years to her own suite. She rarely goes out, never entertains; I think -Ivan broke her heart soon after they were married." - -"But what will become of her?" - -"That will rest with your Majesty." - -"Is she loved by anyone?" - -"All those who know her intimately say that she is grieved to the heart -at the misery caused by Ivan and his gang; all the little money that she -has had has gone in charity." - -"Ah!" I said. - -"I have had made," said my companion, to turn the subject, I thought, "a -number of uniforms, as near as possible to your measure. To-day I think -it would be as well if you put on that of the Guard, not here, but at -the Palace. I think they will fit you, as I had one of your suits to -measure from." - -There was something pathetic to me in all these little preparations of -Mr. Smith's. I felt like a boy leaving for school, when his father is -adding some little thing that might give him pleasure. - -The thought of all the years spent by this elderly man working and -planning, so that I might some day be seated on the throne, gave me a -lump in the throat, and I bent and kissed him. - -"Victor, my dear boy, God knows I wish you had been son of mine; I could -not have loved you more." - -"In future," I said quietly, "you shall be as my father; you guide and -teach me kingcraft. I only wish I could do something to show my -gratitude." - -"Ah, my boy, be yourself, trust to your conscience with regard to -Rudarlia, and I shall be happy in my pride--but who is this?" - -It was Baron Sluben who knocked and entered. He came up to me and bowed -low. - -"The usurper is dead; long live the King!" - -I know that from that minute I felt one, I do not know why. - -Mr. Smith took a pair of revolvers from a desk, handed one to me and put -the other in his pocket. - -"Come," he said, "it is time." - -The three of us went out to the car. I felt cool, and made some -cheerful remark to Carruthers. - -"Good old Splosh, what is it to be, 150 not out?" - -"Or a duck," I said. - -Sluben, who understood a little English, looked at Mr. Smith with a -puzzled expression on his face. - -"It is all right, Baron," he said, answering the look, "his Majesty is -talking of an English game." - -"But the duck, Count, is it alive or for dinner?" - -This was too much for us; and we laughed heartily while explaining. - -I think our high spirits must have been contagious, for we were -continually laughing all the way to the Palace, where we entered by a -back door. - -Colonel Woolgast was waiting. After assuring us that all was well, he, -at my request, led the way to a room on the same floor as the Royal -apartments. - -Here, as Mr. Smith had stated, I found the uniforms laid out, and Bauen -waiting. - -In twenty minutes I was dressed, and looked at myself in a tall cheval -glass. - -I looked very nice indeed, the white and gold uniform set off my figure -to the utmost, while the plumed helmet added to my height and general -impressiveness. Even Carruthers admitted that I looked like a King, and -a fine one, too, which was great praise from him, who was not given to -paying me compliments. - -I wore across my chest the broad ribbon of the "Star of Rudarlia" with -its splendid insignia in diamonds and gold, which Mr. Smith fastened to -my tunic. - -At length, all was ready, and Woolgast slipped from the room. - -Ten minutes later, came the sullen boom of a cannon; and the people who -heard it knew that King Ivan was dead. - - - - - *CHAPTER VII* - - -I walked to the window and looked out into the square below. As I did -so, I noticed an unusual stir among the people who were passing. Every -one seemed to be flocking to the Palace; the gates were wide open; and a -continual stream of motor-cars and carriages kept entering and leaving. -This was evidently an unusual sight, for the ordinary passers-by -gathered at the entrances to watch, and most probably wonder. Then I -noticed newspapers being sold, and the hum of many excited voices could -be heard. I turned to Mr. Smith. - -"Can they know already, do you think?" - -"Undoubtedly, I have seen to that, and in all the chief cities of your -Majesty's kingdom; they will know as fast as the telegrams can be sent." - -Woolgast had left the room, but now returned and came up to where I was -standing. - -"I have to report, your Majesty, that Prince Alexis has just entered the -Palace, and been arrested." - -"That is good news, Colonel; I was fearing that he might be -troublesome." - -I think Mr. Smith had rather feared the same thing, for I heard him -heave a sigh of relief. - -"That eases my mind," he said. "It will be a bloodless _coup d'état_, -after all." - -"Thanks to the excellence of your plans." - -"And the loyal co-operation of all those people who knew; a single word -might have spoilt all. As it is, there is nothing now to prevent your -Majesty entering the throne room." - -"I am ready." - -"Then let us go." - -He threw open the door and I passed out. My body-guard were drawn up -ready to attend me; I saluted them as I came out of the room, and they -fell in behind me. This affair was not to be marked by much state, but -Mr. Smith had seen to it that there was enough. That is to say, there -were ushers and heralds, with other functionaries, who preceded me to -clear the way, and throw wide the great doors which led into the throne -room. I felt that I would sooner have seen the spectacle from the other -end, or in one of the galleries; but that was not to be, so I entered -bravely, although my heart did beat a trifle more rapidly than usual. - -The place seemed packed from floor to roof; whichever way I turned, -there were smiling faces. A deafening shout greeted me. These good -people evidently could not restrain their joy at thoughts of the -restoration of the beloved dynasty of the Stephanovitchs. - -I stood on the edge of the dais, and smiled for very joy at the -acclamations; pride, too, had its way, and I was pleased to think that I -was King. It was so much nicer than I had anticipated. Mr. Smith, by my -side, held up his hand, and almost immediately there was silence. - -A gorgeous figure, clad in robes which no King could rival, stepped -forward; there was a fanfare of trumpets, and then: - -"King Ivan is dead, God save King Victor!" - -"Speak to them," said Mr. Smith. - -"Rudarlians"--how funny my voice sounded, I could hardly believe that I -was speaking--"I am the son of Merlin. I am your King, Rudarlia is my -country. Help me therefore to undo the errors of my predecessor; give -me your loyalty, and together we will give new life to our beloved -country, and keep her clean from tyrannous injustice. Help me, and we -will make it a proud boast when a man can say: 'I am a Rudarlian.'" - -For the second time that day, my words seemed to meet with approval, for -my stepping back was the signal for another hurricane of cheers. I -thought they would never stop, and that low fellow Carruthers said, loud -enough for me to hear, to Mr. Smith: - -"He ought to get in with a thumping majority." - -Mr. Smith had told me that from time immemorial, on such occasions, the -King always walked straight down the hall and up a broad stairway at the -other end, and so back to his own apartments. As it had been the -custom, I saw no reason to break away from it, so once more the heralds -cleared the way for me; and I passed through the long hall, between two -lines of bowing people, who laughed and cried at the same time. - -Under my father's rule there had been a golden age for Rudarlia, and -this must account for the extraordinary enthusiasm with which I was -greeted. We went, some dozen in all, to a room overlooking the main -entrance to the Palace; and from there we watched the people gathering -in hundreds, to hear from those who passed out--whatever they did hear. - -They seemed pleased with the news, whatever it was, for they turned -their faces to the Palace and shouted. It was not only the people who -appeared gay, but presently the shops as well; flags and coloured -ribbons began to be displayed. Then men came with great placards: "God -Save Victor II., Merlin's Son," in red letters on a yellow ground. Some -one had stage-managed the thing very well, nothing had been forgotten. - -As I looked down upon the heaving mass of men and women, an irresistible -longing came over me to ride out among them, to go to the Cathedral, and -thank God that no blood had been shed in this, my triumph. - -"Count," I said, turning to Mr. Smith, "is there any reason why I should -not go now to the Cathedral?" - -He looked at me hesitatingly for a moment. - -"Not if your Majesty wills it," he said quickly. - -"Then I will go, for there are a number of good citizens in danger of -being crushed, down there, in their eagerness to catch sight of me." - -"I will order your Majesty's carriage." - -"No! I will ride." - -Colonel Woolgast had returned; and I told him of my intention. - -He looked anxious; and asked whether he should call out troops to line -the way. - -"Troops?" I said, perhaps foolhardily. "No, Colonel, just my own -body-guard, half to clear a way, and the other half to follow. I will -begin, as I intend to go on, by trusting the people. Count Zeula, I -should be pleased if you would ride with me; and you, too, gentlemen, if -so inclined." - -"Thank God we shall have a King," I heard some one mutter, and then Mr. -Smith and I were alone again, waiting for our horses. - -"Am I wise?" I asked. - -"Yes, Victor, I think you are, only I am nervous for your safety." - -"I feel that nothing could hurt me to-day," I said, laughing. "But -there is one thing I have forgotten, I wish Bauen to ride with us, to -let the people see that loyalty such as his is not forgotten by my -family." - -"God made you a King before ever you came to Rudarlia, Victor." - -And, at something in his voice, I felt myself blushing. - -I shall never forget that ride. The great cry that arose as the -body-guard wheeled into the courtyard; the instantaneous sundering of -the crowd to make a way as the gates were swung open. - -Unaffectedly I rejoiced, as I rode through them, some ten yards behind -the last rank of the vanguard, with Mr. Smith half a length behind me; -Woolgast, Carruthers, Bauen and the rest two lengths behind him again. - -I was almost deafened by the shouts of welcome that arose from the -crowd. - -A child, escaping from his mother's restraining hand, ran under my -horse's feet. In a moment I was out of my saddle, and had the little -thing in my arms, sobbing, frightened, but unhurt. - -A halt had been called; and the mother, a poor ragged woman, approached, -terrified, trembling. I gave the boy into her arms, with two or three -pieces of gold. - -"Take him, my good woman," I said, "and keep him, for one day Rudarlia -may have need of him." - -The crowd grew delirious; they burst through the restraining arms, -surrounded me, cheering and blessing me. For some little time they were -hysterical in their expressions of loyalty, until I had to stand up in -my stirrups and ask them to make way for me. At the sound of my voice -they once again surged back, and our cortège passed on. - -Luckily, it was not a great way to the Cathedral, or I doubt if we -should have reached it before nightfall. As it was, it was six o'clock -before we started on our homeward journey. - -So dense was the crowd, that we went at a walk the whole way; the more -adventurous would press forward, and touching my boot, bridle, anything, -were contented. - -They were a good-natured mass of people; and, although the jostling and -discomfort must have been appalling, I heard never a single oath or -bad-tempered remark, only blessings, and heart-felt utterances of joy. - -We were within sight of the Palace, when I saw the escort which rode -before me divide into two parts, and down the middle came six beautiful -girls, carrying great bunches of flowers; some enthusiast had organised -the party, and ransacked a florist's shop evidently. - -The crowd swept back, and left a clear space around them. - -One little maid, who was in advance, came timidly up to me, as I sat on -my horse, laughing down at them. - -She was too tongue-tied to say anything, so she just held up a bunch of -white roses for me to take. She was so tiny, and looked so sweetly -pretty, that I could not resist dismounting; and, picking up the little -one, kissed her, at the same time taking the roses, and fastening them -somehow into my tunic. - -Seeing this, some wit in the crowd called out: - -"The others want payment too." - -And this idea caught on to such an extent that I was obliged to kiss all -the other blushing five, to the delight of the onlookers. Mr. Smith -laughed heartily; and even the stern-faced troopers looked away to hide -their emotion. - -That, however, was the last delay we had; and shortly after we turned in -through the Palace gates. - -Jove! how hot and tired I was, I remember it to this day, and the -gorgeous relief when, in my own apartments, I bathed and put on cool -evening dress. - -In spite of fatigue, there was an immense amount of work to be got -through that night; I don't know how many times I put my signature to -papers handed me by Mr. Smith, but it seemed millions. - -I had sent a telegram to my mother, just a few words, saying that all -was well. - -At Mr. Smith's suggestion, I had invited some twenty or thirty people to -take supper with me, and at eleven o'clock I vowed that I would work no -more. At which Mr. Smith and Baron Sluben laughed, and said that they -had been wondering when I meant to stop; and only then did I realise -that it had been my place to call a halt, not theirs. - -Twice, during these hours of writing, I had been obliged to leave the -room, and show myself to the people who stood outside the Palace gates, -cheering continuously; but, as it grew towards midnight, the crowd had -dwindled, and I could feel more at rest. - -I think my first supper-party was a success, the late King's chef being -one of the best in Europe. - -Naturally enough, high spirits reigned supreme, as one and all there, -with the single exception of myself, had worked for years for what had -happened this day. - -The guests were all very great people in the realm; and, when supper was -finished, we withdrew to another room to hold a Council of War, to -decide what should be done with Prince Alexis and his following. - -There were some whose advice was distinctly Machiavellian, desiring to -stamp out all of Ivan's race. They had forgotten, perhaps, that I was -related to him. There were others, who thought that imprisonment for -life was the thing; while the majority, of which I was one, held in -favour of exile. - -That was for Alexis and his chief advisers; the minor characters would -have to live on their estates, under certain conditions, or leave the -country, the choice to be theirs. And so, after a somewhat lengthy -debate, it was decided. - -Perhaps we were too lenient, knowing as we did the kind of men with whom -we dealt; but severity was abhorrent to me who had been so short a while -King. - -It was long past midnight when I went to my room to sleep; and even then -I did not go direct, for I was obliged to pass the door of the room -where Ivan's body lay. A trooper of my body-guard had been placed on -guard there, and I stopped to say a word to him; as I did so, the sound -of weeping reached my ears. - -I looked inquiringly at Mr. Smith, who accompanied me. - -"It is Ivan's wife, your Majesty." - -"Alone," I asked, "and at this hour?" - -The guard answered that she had been within for some two hours, by -herself. - -"I would speak to her, Count; do not wait, you need repose. Goodnight." - -He looked at me for a moment, and then bowed. - -"Good night, your Majesty," he said and left me. - -I do not know what impulse urged me to push the door quietly open, and -enter; not curiosity, God knows. I think it was just the desire to try -and comfort this poor lady. - -She was kneeling beside the bed on which the body lay, a fragile figure -in black, her head buried in her arms, sobbing as though indeed her -heart was broken. - -As I approached, she raised her tear-stained face to mine; and I saw -that it was still comely, though haggard and weary. - -"Who are you?" she said quietly. - -"A friend of your Majesty's," I answered. - -"'Majesty,' I never was that, since my husband was never really the -King." - -"Nevertheless, madame, if you will permit, I will address you so; for -you, by your acts, have proved yourself a Queen." - -She had risen to her feet, and stood looking at me intently. - -"Are you the King?" she asked. - -"So people have acclaimed me to-day, madame." - -"Could you not leave me to my grief, in the midst of your joy?" - -"God forbid that I should intrude, madame, on grief such as yours, were -it not for the great desire I have to aid, and if possible comfort you; -but see," I drew a curtain on one side, making the light of early dawn -visible to her, "the night is nearly spent." I dropped the curtain -again. "Your Majesty, will you not permit me to escort you to your -room, or call one of your ladies, for, next to God, surely one of your -own sex could best comfort you?" - -"God," she said, "do you believe then in God?" - -"Surely, madame." - -"Is that why you came in to me here?" - -"I had not thought of it, but probably it was His doing, for I think -that all kind thoughts are His, and all the pity within me woke at the -sound of your weeping." - -"Then may He be praised," she said, "that Rudarlia will once more have a -merciful King." - -"You love Rudarlia, madame?" - -"Ah yes, so much, perhaps my sorrow to-night is more self-pity at -thought of leaving than sorrow for my dead husband, for I had wept all -my tears for him years ago." She spoke with a little dry huskiness that -sounded strangely pathetic. - -"Leave Rudarlia, that would be your wish, would it not, to return to -your own country, away from sorrowful sights and remembrances?" - -There was tragedy in her reply: - -"My own country, where is it? My father is dead. I had no friends -before I married, I was too young; and the few of my countryfolk who -accompanied, and remained with me, are gone." - -"Then, madame, remain here, where you will be always an honoured guest. -The people love you, I know; and you can devote your time happily to -whatever you desire, without hindrance. It shall be my pleasure to see -that everything you may wish for shall be yours, and I shall hope to -have gained a friend." - -"Your Majesty," she said, "what can I say, how can I accept, how can I?" - -"By saying, madame, that you will stay. It will be our part, after -that, to show you that Rudarlia remembers those who loved her, even in -the midst of their own unhappiness." - -"Oh, how can I?" I heard her murmur, "how can I, I, the wife of the -usurper?" - -"Madame, your husband's sins must be answered for by himself; you, -however, have never been associated with him in the minds of the people. -Only by your goodness, kindness, and charity, are you judged by them; -even my mother, who has, God knows, suffered greatly at Ivan's hands, -will never think of you except with loving thoughts, as one who was -sinned against. I can answer for her, as justice has been ever dear to -her. Come, madame, decide as we wish it, and let me see you smile at -thoughts of happiness to be." - -She looked up at me, and I saw her bravely struggling with her tears. - -"May God bless you, as you deserve; I will do as you will." - -"That is right, madame, and now permit me." - -I raised her hand, and pressed it to my lips; and, retaining it in mine, -led her gently from the room, back to her own apartments, where her -ladies were waiting. - - - - - *CHAPTER VIII* - - -That night, for the first time in my life that I can remember, I dreamt -of my father. Presumably, the excitement of the day had affected my -nerves; but this dream was so vivid, that I can recall it even now: I -seemed to be in a vast, ruined cathedral, walking round and round, -seeking some means of egress; and, finding none, sat down on the bottom -step of the stairway which led to the top of a frightfully high tower. - -I felt unutterably despondent, for I knew that outside everything I -wanted was awaiting me, and yet I could not name any one thing. - -Then I saw some one near me, and I called to him to ask his assistance -in escaping; he did not answer, but just pointed up the stairway. So I -started to ascend; it was weary work, as the steps appeared never to -end, and I toiled laboriously up, up, ever up. Once I despaired and -started to descend, but there stood my father pointing and smiling, so I -turned again and resumed my interrupted ascent. I was just about to -relinquish it for good, when I woke. - -It appears strange to me now, when thinking of it, that my father never -said a word to explain, and that all my effort apparently led nowhere. - -It was Bauen's entrance that had awakened me; and in a very short time I -had dressed, breakfasted, and was once more ready for work. - -I found Mr. Smith in the great study, where the evening before I had -signed so many papers; as we were alone we chatted in a friendly way, -for I don't think ceremony was to the liking of either of us. - -"Well, Prince," I said, "the first thing I wish is for you to have the -necessary papers made out confirming you in that title." - -"It can wait, Victor." - -"Not a day, I wish it done at once." - -"Very well," he replied, laughing. - -"And now, I suppose, I have to incur danger of writer's cramp, eh?" - -"For a good many days to come, I am afraid." - -"You know I saw Ivan's wife last night?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, she wanted, or rather she did not want to leave Rudarlia, so I -asked her to stay. Of course, her financial affairs will be my concern -privately." - -"I thought you would." - -"Are you against it?" - -"No. I think she is a good woman, and her life has been very -miserable." - -He smiled slightly. - -"How have I amused you?" - -"Because I knew last night, when you left me, that it was to comfort -her. Victor, my boy, you must not allow your pity to sway you always. -In this case it is all right, but many times it is a fault, in a king. -People attribute it to weakness, unfortunately." - -"Very well, I must remember, but I do so hate to see misery." - -"I know you do, Victor, but you must always think of the cause and -effect, especially the effect your attitude towards it may have. It is -difficult to be a good king and also follow the doctrines of Christ, for -His teaching was more for the individual life than for the king of a -nation, the people of which do not themselves follow His doctrines -strictly." - -"True," I agreed. "It seems to be almost impracticable in the present -state of the world." - -"And the longer you live, the more convinced you will be that the Gospel -which has it that He said, 'I come not to bring peace, but a sword,' is -nearer the mark." - -"Then must I be severe?" - -"No, but just. That is the greatest of all things, and will lead to the -greatest good of the people; not the greatest good of the greatest -number, for that is a doctrine I do not hold with." - -"How so?" I said, for this remark had surprised me. - -"For this reason: the greatest good of the greatest number necessitates -the sacrifice of the few; now it is my opinion that the minority are of -the most good to a state, for as a rule it is comprised of the more -intellectual, artistic, and finer grades of mind. These people are the -natural leaders; and, if by legislation you injure that minority, you do -harm in the long run to the majority, for the great mass look to the few -for ideals. Mind you, I do not deny that, in some cases, injustice is -done by, and for the few, but those cases are, or ought to be, judged by -a different scale of values." - -"Give me an instance." - -"An instance? Well, look at England. By taxing the upper classes, -enough money is raised to miseducate the masses. The result is that -those professions which depend more or less upon education are lowered, -vulgarised, by the demand of vulgar minds. - -"Literature, which should be one of the great uplifting influences, is -becoming every day more and more adapted to the commoner mind, under the -name of progress. Progress it is, but in the wrong direction, for it -serves to bring all to a dead level of mediocrity; and I maintain that a -few lofty minds, leaders in the world of thought, are infinitely more -prolific of true progress than smart mediocrity." - -I had paused in my writing to listen to my companion, for I had never -heard him in this vein before; but his arguments needed thought, and I -told him so. - -"Thought! why, of course they do. Think over them whenever you can; -and, in thinking, apply the principle to all different cases." - -"I will; but just now I could not think clearly, for I fancy I hear -sounds that indicate more cheering crowds outside." - -"A sound that Ivan never heard," said Mr. Smith. - -"And which reminds me, that I wish to see Prince Alexis before he leaves -for the frontier." - -"You will not, I hope, delay his departure," said my companion slyly. - -"On the contrary, I shall expedite it." - -"You wish to see him alone?" - -"If you please, when I have finished these," and I touched the papers -before me. "But I wish to know what you think of this scheme of mine. -There are, I have heard, a number of poor wretches in prison for -non-payment of taxes. I propose to release them at once, and if -possible to place them back upon the land. To do this, it will be -necessary to dispossess a number of people who bought the various farms -for little over the sum wanted to pay the taxes. - -"Now these people took advantage of Ivan's overtaxation to invest their -money in property, which to my mind was not the State's to sell. -Therefore, they made a bad bargain; but, as I wish to be just, I propose -paying them the purchase money, plus five per cent., plus a fair amount -for any improvements. That is my idea. What do you think of it?" - -Mr. Smith thought for some time. - -"I see exactly what you wish, but there are difficulties, very great -difficulties. To begin with, you would have to create a number of -officials to deal with each claim separately, which is bad, for anything -that leads to a bureaucracy is pernicious in a monarchy; besides which, -you will make enemies of the men you dispossess. Again, it will be -necessary to sift to the bottom the reasons there were for the taxes not -having been paid. It might also encourage the recipients of your favour -to object to all taxation, whether just or not." - -"Your reasons may be sound," I said, "but I will try to upset them. -First, you object to the creation of an army of officials. Now that is -an extreme argument, I think, for there are records in each district of -sales of land, and these can be seen with little trouble. I proposed -offering a little extra payment to the permanent officials in each -district, and doing the business gradually. To my mind, it is necessary -to know much more about the land and its productive qualities than we -do, for I have read reports dealing with the subject; so a few extra men -would not be amiss to inquire into our whole system of agriculture. - -"Secondly, you contend that I shall make enemies. I do not agree; these -people will get back more than they paid, for something which was -distinctly in the nature of a gamble. Those are the two most important -reasons against; the other involves too much human nature for me to -argue about until I have more knowledge of Rudarlians." - -"We are a Parliament in ourselves, Victor, and your answers need leisure -for contemplation. However, I see you have finished, so I will give -orders for Prince Alexis to be brought to you." - -"Thank you, Prince; don't forget about your title. I have just thought -of a new rôle for you: Prince von Zeula, Bear-leader to the King." - -"It is a title that does me honour," he said, and smilingly withdrew. - -Colonel Woolgast ushered in Prince Alexis, and stood as though he -expected to have to re-escort the prisoner. - -"I will ring, Colonel," I said, touching a small silver bell upon my -desk, "if you will remain within hearing." - -He cast an anxious glance at me; and the next moment I was alone with -the man to whom my coming must have been a terrible blow. - -"There is a chair behind you, Prince," I said. - -With extreme sullenness he took the seat indicated. - -My impression of the man did not improve with further acquaintance. - -For some little time we looked at each other in silence, he with looks -full of hatred and malicious curiosity, while I was quite frankly -interested in him. I wondered how anyone could, by vice, so debase -himself, until his very being radiated nauseating vibrations; more -especially as he had thought one day to be a king, a person set on a -pinnacle for all to see, a leader and chief among men. - -I found that, whenever his eyes met mine they turned aside, cold and -crafty. - -"Prince," I said, "to you, no doubt, I am a very pernicious being, most -probably you loathe me with all your heart. You think that I have -cheated you out of a throne, yet consider a moment, and you must see -that it is not so. Ivan was never King, since I was alive; you were -never the heir. I presume you will not deny that?" - -"I do deny it. You are an impostor, I know it." - -"I am the King." - -"By might, not right." - -"By both, Prince: by right, on account of my birth which has been proved -without shadow of doubt; by might, because the people of Rudarlia loved -my father as much as they detested Ivan." - -"Your proofs, what proofs have you?" - -"That is the business of those who have them in their possession," I -replied. - -"They will not satisfy me, however." - -"What would? Rudarlia? You would not be King for a month; people do -not talk kindly of you, Prince, they liken you to Ivan, in your ways of -life." - -"What are my ways of life to you?" - -"Nothing, you have to answer for them yourself; but, if you had -succeeded in gaining the throne, they would have meant much, not only to -me but to all Rudarlians." - -"You mean?" - -"That there is only a certain amount of juice to be obtained from any -orange; Ivan sucked this one dry." - -"Dry? not so dry that I could not have obtained more from it." - -"I doubt if you could have obtained a penny. The people are ruined, -absolutely. You would not have dared to tax the nobles, for you would -have made enemies of Ivan's friends." - -"Well, I am in your power, Impostor; what do you intend?" - -"You are in my power, you and your friends," I repeated this slowly and -emphatically, for I had seen a look in his eyes that I did not like, the -look of one who stores up malice for the future. "I do not think you -would be regretted, whatever I decided to do, even by your friends in -Bornia, for instance." - -He leant forward in his chair, and lowered his voice. - -"See," he said, "let us understand each other. I know that you are an -impostor, just a pawn in Zeula's game. I know you for the Englishman -who wounded Goltz; so why keep up the farce? You will have to remain -King, of course, but there will be rare pickings. Now, I can help you -if you consent to work with me. This is what I propose: you must insist -on my having a good pension, and my debts paid. I, on my part, will -keep mum about you, and accept you as my sovereign; I never wanted to be -King, but I want the money badly. Who the devil would want to live in -Karena? Not I for one. - -"Another thing, I will give you some ideas for putting on the screw; a -friend of mine and I have worked out several ways, while awaiting Ivan's -death. What do you say?" - -I was too sick mentally to answer him, the callousness of his -proposition had almost numbed me. I was an impostor to him, and yet he -would sell what he fancied to be his birthright, for a pension and -payment of his debts. - -I groaned inwardly at what would have happened to Rudarlia under his -rule, and yet I was inclined to let him unburden himself of these -schemes of taxation. I fancy that my mind was fascinated by the -loathsomeness of his, almost like a rabbit in the presence of a snake. -I wished, however, to hear more, so, feigning an interest which -disgusted me, I pretended to think over what he had said; and then I too -leaned forward in my chair. - -"You have interested me," I said, "in spite of your affirming that I am -an impostor; but you must let me know more of your ideas. That is -essential, for you will not wish me to speak to and consult Zeula, will -you?" - -I saw his evil face light up, and I read his thought: that I was willing -to be his tool. - -"Is it likely that I should tell you, without security?" he asked, with -a twisted kind of smile. - -"Why not? Your ideas would be no use to me without your aid; if I -played you false, you could always expose me, couldn't you? For, mind -you, it will be a dangerous game to play, Zeula is no fool." - -"Bah!" he snapped his fingers, "that for Zeula. He must do what we -want; he dare not let me expose the game, I have too much power." - -"Of course," I said, and wondered what this power could be. "And yet, -until I know how to raise the money, I don't see how I can act." - -He pondered a moment, and then with an oath, burst out: - -"Very well then, I will tell you, but, by God, if you play me -false!--but there, you dare not. Now listen. You and I must make -enough in ten years to satisfy us, as after that things will be -different, for this reason: Bornia." - -"What has Bornia to do with it?" - -"Everything. I am much in request at the Court." He chuckled. "King -George has four daughters, and none of them married yet." He looked at -me with a leer. - -"Go on," I said, "tell me the plan." - -"All in good time, Impostor, all in good time. Bornia wishes very much -to own Rudarlia." - -"What?" - -"Strange, isn't it? Nevertheless a fact, and they want it without -fighting. That is where we come in. Every time an official dies or -vacates his post, you will fill it with one of my friends--they will be -naturalised, of course, to avoid detection--for each post so filled, -Bornia will pay. Do you see?" - -"Yes, yes, go on." - -"We will work it, so that in ten years' time Rudarlia will be full of -Bornians, even the army. Then what I should have done, and what you will -have to do, is to abdicate. Our officials will at once invite King -George to occupy the throne. There, that is the big scheme. Now for -another. You did not know, perhaps, that there were minerals in this -country? There are, but not in paying quantities, on Royal land too. -We will get some expert to boom the thing up to the skies; the nobles -and shopkeepers will invest, unwisely but well for us, eh?" - -"Have you any more schemes?" - -"That will do to commence with, Impostor; when we have things fixed up, -I'll tell you more." - -"Have you more as good as the ones you have told me?" - -"Oh, plenty. Well, what do you say?" - -"What do I say?" cried I, my temper getting the better of me. "I say -that you are the biggest cur unhung, that you have the vilest mind that -ever man possessed, and that I feel disgusted with myself for ever -having even spoken to you. You low brute, listen to me. I am not an -impostor, whatever you may think; I am the son of Merlin I. Hold your -tongue, or I'll forget that I am the King--silence, I say. I had -proposed to pay your debts, to give you a pension, as you did no harm -yesterday, but now I tell you that not one penny do you get from me, you -cur." - -I was standing over him; and he shrank back into his chair, his coward -lips quivering with fear. - -"Your Majesty," he quavered. - -"'Impostor' you called me a moment ago; you have changed quickly." - -"I did not mean it, your Majesty." - -"Good God! Haven't you one redeeming feature, are you such a coward -too?" - -He did not answer but looked at me imploringly. - -"You need not be afraid, I won't touch you. I hoped you would have one -manly attribute, but it appears you are absolutely despicable; you are -so low in all your thoughts that I almost pity you. Is there any way in -which you could be helped to realise what a vile thing you are, I -wonder--I suppose not?" - -He still sat white-faced and quivering, and made no answer. As I looked -at him, I felt my loathing and disgust turn almost to compassion--he was -so hopeless, so contemptible. My anger, too, had passed. - -"How much do you owe?" I said. - -"Eh?" - -"How much do your debts amount to?" - -The crafty look returned to his face, and with it a faint expression of -hope. - -"My debts?" - -"Yes, how much would cover them?" - -"I don't quite know." - -"You know perfectly, tell me at once." - -"At least thirty thousand pounds. It is the Jews--it was fear of them -that made me think of the plans I suggested to your Majesty." - -"You need not lie to me." - -"It's true," he said eagerly. "They were pressing me hard, and I had to -plot and scheme to raise the money." - -"And you thought that Rudarlia was yours to barter?" - -"I could think of no other way, and I knew that Ivan had had his share." - -"So you imagined you could finish her ruin. My God! how low you are. I -suppose the thought of trying to put her on her feet again never entered -your head." - -"I was to marry one of George's daughters, and then, of course, I should -have done what I could." - -"She is well out of it; for I presume that, now, you will no longer be a -desirable match?" - -"I suppose not." - -Again I caught a crafty gleam in his eye. - -"Prince Alexis," I said, "listen to me, you have a little, very little, -of the same blood as mine; for that reason alone, I intend to pay your -debts to the amount of thirty thousand, no more. Had you shown one -spark of feeling for Rudarlia, I should have given you a pension. As it -is, I shall not; but, that you may have a clean start, I will give you -another thirty thousand in addition. Take my advice and invest it; try -and live decently and honourably." - -He would have taken my hand in the extravagance of his joy; but I -avoided it. It was one thing to give alms to a blood relation, but -another to take the hand of a vile cur such as he was. - -I wrote then and there a cheque for the promised amount, and handed it -to him. - -"You may refer your Semitic friends to me. The sum of thirty thousand -will not be increased by a penny." - -"And am I free to go when I will?" he asked. - -"You will be escorted to the frontier, and will remain on the other -side. Should you return under any circumstances, you will meet with -different treatment." - -I rang the bell, and Colonel Woolgast appeared. - -"You will conduct Prince Alexis to his room, Colonel, and return to me -as soon as possible." - -I sat staring from the window waiting for his return. I was uncertain, -in my mind, about the wisdom of the course I had adopted with Alexis. - -He was capable of any villainy, any crime, but I had given him the money -with an object; I wished to gain time. It ought to last him for a year -or eighteen months; and much could be done between now and then. - -I had had suspicions before that Bornia had covetous designs with regard -to Rudarlia. - -Well, we would see. Thank God, my stepfather had made it possible for -me to do much, without fresh taxation. - -I was just thinking of the degraded spectacle Prince Alexis was, almost -ashamed of myself for having allowed him even to suggest the things he -had, when I heard a woman's voice raised in altercation with the -guardsman outside the door. To my amazement she spoke in English. - -"I want to see His Majesty, I tell you." - -I heard the sentry explain, in Rudarlian, that it was impossible for her -to have audience with me. - -The next moment the door was flung open and in flew the owner of the -voice. The sentry had evidently been fooled by a pretended retreat; and -had grasped a portion of her gown as she dashed past him. Zip! -something had given way. - -"Fancy treating a lady like that; it's a shame!" - -It was as much as I could do to keep my face straight, as I signed to -the sentry to close the door. - -The "lady" was examining the back part of her skirt with an angry -expression on her face, taking no notice of me whatever; but having -repaired the damage--presumably with pins--she looked round and saw me -standing near her. - -"Lord, your Majesty!" she cried, dropping on her knees. - -"You wished to speak to me, I believe." - -"Yes, please your Majesty." - -"Then supposing you take this seat, you will find it more comfortable -than the ground, I daresay." - -"Thanks, your Majesty." - -"Now tell me what it is I can do for you. I only have a very few -minutes to spare." - -She was a remarkably handsome woman, with a splendid figure. I was -struck, too, by her pleasant smile. - -"It's like this, you know, the late King took a fancy to me, and induced -me to come here to Karena." - -"Wait a moment. To begin with, who are you, and where do you come -from?" - -"I was in the Polly-Doddy troupe; Eliza de Vere, I call myself. It -isn't my real name, but it'll do. His Majesty saw me dancin', and made -my acquaintance. After a bit, I came along here, but the first thing I -know is that I find myself in a Palace and him lying dead, and I've lost -my job with the troupe, and gone dead broke except for the few things I -brought along with me. Then I hear as there's a new King, so I think -I'll hop along and try to hook him, but I see your Majesty isn't one of -that sort, so all I want now is to get away. God knows when I shall get -another job, don't suppose I ever shall, for I broke my contract to come -here." - -She stopped, for want of breath, I imagine. - -"Is that all you want?" I asked. - -"Yes, thank your Majesty, if you'll give me the fare home I daresay I'll -do. I can always get a livin'." - -"What would you like best to do?" I asked, for I was sorry for this -frank, vulgar, beautiful creature. - -"If I had my wish, I'd live in the country. I was born on a farm, and -I'd love a little place with chickens and a pig or two; that's what I -thought I could get out of the old man, but he's gone." - -"And supposing some one gave you that, would you be contented to live in -a quiet, decent way without longing to be in London or some big town?" - -"Wouldn't I just? It would be just heaven to get out of it all. You -don't know what my life is, or you wouldn't ask." - -I suppose I was foolish, but I was heart-sick at the thought of this -woman going headlong to the devil, as I have no doubt she would have -done. So once more I wrote out a cheque; it was for a big enough sum -for her purpose, upon the interest of which she could live, marry -possibly, almost certainly, and rear splendid children, for England. I -blotted the slip of paper and handed it to her, with some few pieces of -gold. - -"Now," I said, "when you get to England take this to some bank and -explain to them what you want. They will advise you and invest it for -you. Don't trust anyone else; personally, I should advise you to keep -silent about possessing it. Marry some good man, and be happy, and -sometimes say a prayer for the King of Rudarlia." - -She took the cheque, and wide-eyed, looked at it. - -"Is this for me?" she whispered. "You aren't kiddin' me, don't you want -anythin' for it?" - -"No; nothing beyond what I have mentioned, a prayer, when you remember -it, that is all; and now I must say good-bye and good luck." - -She seized my hand and wrung it. - -"God bless your Majesty. I'll pray for you night and morning, I will." -And then the poor girl burst into tears, sobbing as though her heart -would break. - -It was at this juncture that Mr. Smith returned. - -Still sobbing, "Eliza de Vere" left the room, taking no notice of the -indignant sentry. - -"Your Majesty has the knack of making friends," Mr. Smith said, with a -smile. "Her thanks and blessings were most impressive." - -"Poor devil!" I said. "Some of Ivan's beastliness, only with her the -worst effect was a broken contract, with the managers of some troupe of -dancers." - -"And you put matters right immediately?" - -"It was easily done." - -"How much did it cost, Victor?" - -"Nothing compared to a person's happiness." - -He shrugged his shoulders, but humorously; and then once more became the -stern-faced man. - -"And Prince Alexis?" he asked. - -"Ah, in his case I have given him enough rope to last him a year or so, -at the end of which time I shall be quite happy to hang him." - -"Ah!" - -"I also paid for knowledge that will be of great value to us; we must -take great care to know everything about all the officials we appoint." - -"Ah!" - -"It is lucky that I am alive, or within ten years Rudarlia would have -been governed by George III of Bornia." - -"Ah! so that was the scheme, was it?" - -Colonel Woolgast was announced. - -"Colonel, I want one of your officers to conduct Prince Alexis over the -frontier. He must be one who can hear without hearing, and, speaking, -say nothing. Above all he must be devoted to Rudarlia. Have you such a -man?" - -"Captain von Essens, your Majesty." - -"Very well, if you answer for him; I would have asked you to have -escorted the Prince, but it would have done him too much honour, to send -the Colonel of my Guards, and a General in my army. You will soon have -the pleasure of kissing my hand as I promised you." - -"I would do it now, your Majesty." - -"No, Colonel, we will stick to our arrangement." - -"Shall I give Essens the order?" - -"If you please, and, Colonel, there may be some officers under you who -deserve promotion. Send me in their names, and it shall be seen to, for -I have no doubt that there will be vacancies before long in my Guards." - -"It shall be done, your Majesty." - - - - - *CHAPTER IX* - - -The next few weeks were terrible ones for me; days full of anxiety, hard -work, and ceremonial. I discovered that a King needs the strength of -two men, physically and mentally, in the first few weeks of his reign. - -I had dismissed a great number of officials appointed by my predecessor, -for they were incompetent men, owing their positions to rank -favouritism; and for some time Rudarlia was governed by a provisional -Cabinet, composed of the great men of the state. - -The hopeless confusion into which Ivan had plunged the finances of the -country was appalling. - -There had been complete destruction of many valuable assets of wealth, -but chiefly the mischief had been done to agriculture, upon which a -great part of the population depended. Taxes had been heaped upon the -people; first in the shape of a land tax, which had grown into a -ridiculous size; secondly the market tax, a peculiar piece of villainy, -since it mulcted both the buyer and the seller. Ivan, evidently, could -not be just, even in his injustice, for the poor man, with perhaps a -goat for sale, had to pay as much as the large farmer selling whole -herds of cattle. - -One of my first acts was to abolish this iniquitous imposition -altogether; and a very small annual payment for market dues was charged -instead. - -The money raised in this way was used locally, so that those who paid -received it back in the improvements of their locality. - -I merely mention this tax as an example of Ivan's financial methods when -dealing with agriculture. - -Enormous sums, for Rudarlia, had been raised, of which there was no -record dealing with their expenditure. Presumably, therefore, they had -disappeared into the avaricious maw of Ivan. - -When we examined the debit side of our accounts it was almost more -appalling. - -The army had been paid, not regularly, but in dribblets. As for -clothing, ammunition, etc., the stores had been depleted, and nothing -had been replaced. The other services had been run in the same way, -without method or supervision. The fraud and thieving practised by many -of the officials must have been terrific. - -It is not my intention to give a long, detailed account of such matters, -although they are impressed on my mind. - - * * * * * - -After the first outbreak of popular enthusiasm, there were recurrent -bursts of joyful celebration, and devotion to my family. - -As was perhaps only natural, the restoration of the direct line of the -Stephanovitch dynasty caused a considerable stir throughout Europe; and -the usual diplomatic correspondence took place. - -In Sir George Curtiss and Monsieur Delacroit, the British and French -Ministers, I found friends. These two men were ever ready to be of -service to me personally, and also to Rudarlia. I fancy they understood -that my feelings were very strongly in favour of the Triple Entente; and -it was most probably those same feelings of mine which caused me to be -slightly less friendly with the central European powers, or rather their -Ministers. - -I had then--and so far have had no reason to change my views--a very -strong conviction that Germany was the great danger to the world's -peace. - -All of them expressed pleasure at having Merlin's son upon the Rudarlian -throne. Even the Bornian Minister pretended that he was overjoyed, and -expressed himself to that effect in beautiful, flowery language; -verbiage which I accepted smilingly, and at my own idea of its worth. - -To me, Bornia was our greatest menace, I had imagined this always; and -now, since my conversation with Alexis, I was quite certain of it. So I -gave all the time I could spare, from pressing home affairs, to planning -out how to get the better of our neighbour in the conflict that I -foresaw. - -Nothing could be done, however, until some kind of order had been -established within the kingdom, the chaotic state of which caused a -complete change of government to be necessary. - -Up to now, Rudarlia had been an absolute monarchy, the king's power -being autocratic; a curious survival of mediæval days, and which for -centuries had satisfied Rudarlians; but now a more modern spirit was at -work, and there were indications that a representative form of -government was desirable. But what kind of constitution would best suit -the country? That was the question, and I gave it a great deal of -thought, before asking some of the leading men to give me their ideas in -writing. These, when I received them, proved rather disappointing, for -all of them suffered from the same fault: that of not recognising the -whole, as a whole. - -I had suggested to Mr. Smith that he should give me his idea, but he -requested me to allow him to stand aside for the present. He told me -that he would like to know what his King had thought of doing. He was -interested to see what Merlin's son would do. - -I set to work vigorously, although, I confess, with a great deal of -trepidation. A scheme to turn an absolute monarchy into a -constitutional one, without injury to the various classes, and without -upsetting the national morale, was one from which anyone might shrink. - -I did not propose to work out details--that would have taken too much -time, as well as being something that could be better done by -others--but I did wish to think out the main structure. I therefore -compared the different systems of legislature known to the civilised -world. I collected information from all sources, in the course of -conversations with men of all classes, and I also thought deeply on the -nature of the Rudarlian people. This was the most difficult part of the -whole problem; for, of all things, national character is the most -complex. Along one road, a nation may be steered as easily as a flock of -sheep; along another, the first few yards will split it into a hundred -conflicting elements. - -Rudarlia was mainly an agricultural country, and it has always seemed to -me that such are best governed by a system akin to the patriarchal; yet, -as a European country, such a system was impossible. Therefore I had to -arrange that, although not patriarchal, an element of it should be -there, combined with more up-to-date forms. - -It was with this in my mind that I considered the possibility of -combining the municipal government with the parliamentary, and to that -end introduced the Mayors, as the lowest class in the parliamentary -pyramid. - -In the election of Mayors, every man, barring the mentally deficient, -and the habitual criminal, had a vote. - -Mayors, however, did not sit in Parliament, their duty being the -collection of facts relating to the conditions of life and public -affairs in their districts, and the sending of them in to the class -above them, the Sheriffs. - -Every man who possessed a house, or piece of land, of an annual rental -of five pounds, had the right to vote for a Sheriff. If a man possessed -more than one house or piece of land, he should be entitled to an extra -vote for each house, etc., with this provision: no man should cast more -than one vote in any one borough. - -For every four thousand votes, there should be one Sheriff; but, in the -case of a borough with more than four thousand voters, the odd votes -should be cast still for one Sheriff, until such time as the number of -voters exceeded six thousand, when another Sheriff should be voted for, -in addition. - -To these Sheriffs was allotted the power of selecting the actual members -of Parliament, the Senators, in the proportion of one Senator to three -Sheriffs. - -To the latter, fell the duty of condensing the reports of the Mayors, -and forwarding them to the Senate; upon these reports, a committee of -Senators would frame bills, which would then be sent to the Minister in -whose department they were. Of these Ministers, those of Justice, -Interior, Agriculture, Education, Public Works and Arts, were elected by -the Senate, while the King would appoint the Ministers of War, Finance, -and Foreign Affairs; also the Premier, who would be Chancellor, and -President of the Council. - -The bills framed by the Senators would be duly discussed, and then sent -to the Ministers of the different departments; and it was their duty to -introduce them to the Cabinet, who would discuss, amend, and finally -deliver to the King, for the Royal Assent. - -I made the possession of certain immovable property the basis of -suffrage; for, to my mind, those men who value the power of voting will -be thrifty and hard-working, in order to purchase or rent land, or a -house of sufficient value. - -Again, men who possess property are not so prone to encourage loose -legislation as the wastrels and thriftless; it would therefore encourage -those qualities, which are the basis of all national welfare. The -possession of a vote should give a man self-respect and dignity; the -casting of a vote should be a matter of serious thought, in order that -men of undoubted worth might be elected as Sheriffs. - -With regard to the election of Mayors, that all men, with the two -exceptions I have named, should have the right to vote, was necessary -for the pyramidical form of government; for, among those without the -qualifications of sufficient property, there were, no doubt, many who, -by their clear reason, sound judgment, and patriotism, could be of -service to the state, through the Mayors. - -Sheriffs and Mayors would be paid government officials; Senators and -Ministers would be unpaid, except in cases of expense incurred in the -state service. - -I believe that the soundest laws are made by men who give their services -to the state. - -It has always seemed to me best, that the portfolios of War, and Foreign -Affairs, should be in the hands of nobles chosen for their patriotism -and probity. Finance, too, should not be a question to be tampered with -by lower-class men, for an intellect of the finest understanding, -unswerving loyalty to high ideals, and a consummate knowledge of human -nature, are essential in one who would conduct worthily the finances, -which are undoubtedly the heart's blood of a nation. However great a -man may be who has risen from the lower class, it is generally through -being possessed of qualities which, admirable though they are, do not -lead to the delicate sensitiveness, tact, and polished thought -necessary. - -Again, in every assembly of men, there are always those in opposition; -perhaps it is necessary, to obtain the best legislation. This being so, -it were only human nature to promise to the electors those things which -might forward their election, regardless of expense, and, once finance -becomes a party question, unwise legislation is thrust upon the state, -accompanied by an enormous increase in taxation. Personally, I would -favour slow and steady development in everything, always reserving, -however, sufficient energy to maintain, for some considerable time, high -pressure and rapid movement. Therefore, I would sooner see a government -of sober-minded, level-headed men than one led and directed by more -brilliant and erratic brains, nothing being, to my mind, so injurious as -the clever, plausible man, who has the power of swaying an audience by -words; for, generally, their speech is mere verbiage, used to conceal -their real thoughts and confuse the minds of their hearers. - -In order that the finances of the country should not be controlled by -one man, the whole Cabinet should discuss every tax suggested by the -Minister; and it should be the privilege of the King to call in not more -than five Senators to discuss with them. - -The Army and Navy should be in the hands of experts, with the same -provisions as in dealing with Finance. - -Foreign Affairs should be in the hands of the King and Minister; only in -cases of serious import, such as the sending of an Ultimatum, or great -change in foreign policy, should full debate be allowed in the Cabinet. - -That was the rough draft I drew up to show to Mr. Smith. I advised -gradual alteration of existing laws; never, however, until better ones -were ready to take their place. - -In my scheme, the elections should take place every five years. The -King, however, could retain the Ministers appointed by himself for as -long as he thought fit. - -It so happened that my ideas found favour at once with Mr. Smith, and -other nobles to whom I showed the draft; and I am glad to say that they -have been in existence in Rudarlia now for some years, and I think meet -with general approval. - -Naturally, they were altered here and there; but the main idea is the -same as that embodied in my first rough draft. - -I shall never forget the day when a deputation of some of the leading -men from all the provinces waited upon me to deliver into my hands a -petition, couched in the humblest and most loyal terms, begging me to -grant Rudarlia an extremely limited constitution. - -We, that is Mr. Smith and the other nobles, had kept to ourselves the -plans we had been making, so their petition was looked upon by them as a -most daring innovation to propose. - -"Indeed!" said I, having glanced at the paper. "Are you not content that -I should govern you well, and in accordance with past traditions?" - -"It is not your rule, your Majesty, that we fear, it is rather those who -may come after you. Your Sacred Father ruled us well and yet Ivan came. -As it is, we, your humble servants, recognising in you the true -successor to your father's throne, would wish to profit by your -graciousness, to ask this great boon, to ensure against possible ills in -the future." - -"You believe, then, that it is wise to 'Make hay, while the sun shines.' -But, tell me, have you plans drawn out, for our consideration, of this -proposed constitution?" - -"No, your Majesty, that is further than we dared to go." - -We had had copies made of the draft which I have referred to, and Mr. -Smith at this moment handed one to me. I took this as a sign that he -would consider it wise to divulge our secret now; so I handed the draft -to the leader of the deputation and said: - -"Gentlemen, although my reign has only just begun, you have approached -me with this petition. If you will withdraw and read this paper, I shall -be pleased to hear your opinion upon it. When you have considered it, -return to me here." - -They withdrew, and I returned to my work with Mr. Smith. - -In less than an hour, they were back again, with such expressions of -delight on their faces that I was well recompensed for any trouble I had -taken. I had given them so much more than they had ever dreamed of, -that they stood confused and stammering before me. - -"Well, gentlemen, you see that, quick as you were with your petition, we -have been still quicker in preparing our answer." - -"God bless your Majesty. It is so much more than we dared hope for, -that you find us dazed with your generosity." - -"Then you are satisfied?" - -"Satisfied! More than satisfied, and eternally grateful to your -Majesty. Ah! all Rudarlians will rejoice when this becomes known, and -every man and woman will be bound even more firmly in their devoted -loyalty to you." - -"God grant it; but you must realise, and make others understand, that -such change takes time to carry out. Therefore try and curb impatience, -believing that our best endeavours will always be for Rudarlia." - -It took months of hard work by able-minded men to work out the details -of our scheme, and as many more to perfect the machinery. - -In the meantime, I set to work upon the army, and other matters that -were of great importance. - -In order to expedite matters, I immediately appointed those Ministers -whom I should have the power to appoint under the new constitution. - -Mr. Smith, or Prince Zeula, as I shall now call him, was Chancellor, and -President of the Council. - -On the plea of age, General von Vorkovitch begged to be excused from the -War Ministry. He, however, volunteered his services when required, to -help with the reorganisation of the entire force, which I was determined -to undertake. It was necessary on account of the slackness that had -crept in under Ivan's rule. - -I appointed Count Belen to the office. He, although not in the army, -had a profound acquaintance with the military services of the great -nations. Prince Kleber, who was the greatest noble of our maritime -province, was given the navy to organise. - -In Count von Maark I found a shrewd, able, and consummate financier, yet -a most honourable man. - -Prince von Venoff was our first Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was a -tactful and polished man, with great understanding of foreign nations, -and their different characteristics. He had travelled extensively, and -made many important friends among the diplomatic bodies of most of the -European countries. - -I also appointed men recommended by Zeula to fill the posts which would -be senatorial in selection: Baron von Casile to the Interior, Count -Storfar and Baron von Klintor receiving the portfolios of Justice and -Agriculture, respectively. - -They were all extremely able men, who were full of eagerness and zeal in -the public service. - -The scheme I had mentioned to Zeula, with regard to the farmers who had -suffered through injustice, was carried out successfully. - -I issued an order, granting free pardon to those who had taken to -brigandage through the same reason. - -We established small land banks through the country; a very important -move, almost a necessity, so dry had Ivan drained it. I advanced the -money, and thanked God and my stepfather for the power to do so. -Indeed, without my vast fortune, I do not know how we should have -managed except by a crippling loan. - -In order to encourage the farmers, a small bounty was placed on various -food-stuffs; for the quantity of foreign corn imported would have made -it impossible for them to have grown it with any profit. - -Upon all this imported food we placed a small duty in order to accustom -the people to the idea, for it was our intention, once agriculture was -on a footing in any way commensurate with the needs of Rudarlia, to -increase the duty upon such foodstuffs imported, chiefly for the sake of -revenue. - -I also encouraged breeding horses and cattle, setting the example by -starting stud farms on my own lands. - -Every day the Ministers would come to me, and we would spend long hours -in discussing ways and means. - -With regard to the taxation, Count von Maark and the Cabinet settled the -necessary changes; the only tax that I interfered with being the income -tax, and that, I insisted, should be levied upon every one, even if only -to the extent of one penny in the pound. - -There was so much to be done in the interests of the army that at first -I was staggered; but, as it was futile to sit and weep, we very soon -began to make headway. - -I will say one thing for my predecessor, he had kept up the military -college founded by my father, and the officers were well trained; but -the weapons and stores, alas, were conspicuous by their badness or their -absence. - -We rearmed the troops; and little by little accumulated supplies of -ammunition. We reclothed the men, we built barracks, we instituted -government factories for supplying the army and our small navy with -necessities. - -The only branch that was apparently neglected was the artillery, but -that was with an object. There, we only showed four batteries of modern -guns, two of field, and two of horse artillery. In reality, we had -fifteen of horse, and twenty of field artillery; they were kept -secretly. - -The four batteries mentioned were used for practice, but we kept the old -guns also. - -I remember causing Count Belen considerable astonishment when I insisted -upon the out-of-date artillery being kept, although we had such splendid -modern guns at our command. - -"Count," I said, "you know as well as I do that our enemy is Bornia, is -it not so?" - -"I am afraid she is." - -"Personally, I am convinced that before long we shall be forced to -fight." - -"That is so, your Majesty." - -"I do not believe that anything would induce her to stop her -preparations, preparations that are being conducted secretly." - -"I am afraid that it is extremely unlikely." - -"Very well, I am determined that Rudarlia shall be victorious, and I -consider it essential that they shall underestimate our forces." - -"But why retain the obsolete weapons, your Majesty?" - -"Can the men fire with them?" - -"Yes, and well, too, considering." - -"They will shoot all the better with good guns; as for the obsolete -ones, why, I intend some day to make a present of them to Bornia." - -"A present?" - -"Certainly, and in such a way that they will not fear the gift." - -He paused a little and then said: - -"I must wait your Majesty's pleasure; I do not understand. But may I -ask whether you intend to fortify Karena, Soctia, and other places?" - -"It is my intention." - -"But your Majesty forgets, perhaps, the size of heavy artillery; how can -such pieces enter the country without being detected?" - -"Prince Alexis supplied me with the way; I had the will before. You -have no doubt heard that there are minerals to be found around Karena, -and other places of like importance." - -"I have heard of them." - -"Good! I have surveyors seeking them now. When they have found them it -will be in places of supreme importance from the military point of -view." - -"Aha!" - -"You begin to understand? Well, once these surveyors--and you would -doubtless find friends among them--discover these very sensibly placed -minerals, mining and other work will be commenced; of course they will -not allow inquisitive strangers in, but they will admit enormous pieces -of machinery. Again, in order to deceive, we shall make a show of some -splendid weapons, I think on the southern forts round Karena." - -"And your Majesty's mines will be to the north and west, with perhaps -some near Poiska, and Orvlov." - -"Exactly, Count!" - -"God bless your Majesty," was all he said, but I could see him grinning -to himself in huge content. - -Apropos of the mines, I had a letter from Alexis as soon as the public -knew of them. It ran something like this: - - -MY COUSIN, - -I hear on excellent authority that you have taken advantage of our -little conversation, in regard to the mineral wealth of Rudarlia. I am -grateful that one so virtuous as yourself should have profited by my -poor brains. Pray remember me when the dividends are paid. - -ALEXIS REX. - - -I did not take the trouble to answer this piece of impertinence, at -which I was not surprised; rather, in fact, was I gratified that my -estimate of Alexis was so correct. I knew, too, that further letters -would come from him, as soon as his money was spent. I hoped that by -then Rudarlia would be in a condition that would enable me to give a -negative answer to his blackmailing; if not, well, I could afford a few -thousands more if it was necessary. - -So determined was I to perfect our fighting force, that I engaged a -retired English army surgeon to superintend, and place on a proper -footing, our army medical corps. This was a branch that had been -completely neglected, but now, run on British lines, it became -absolutely splendid and our doctors were magnificent. - -I laid in a large quantity of medical stores. - -Great attention was paid to the transport and commissariat departments; -but quietly, so as not to attract attention. - -Little by little, our army was approaching along the road to perfection. -The troops themselves had always been good, so there was splendid -material to work on. They used many cartridges, and their shooting -improved enormously, as did their discipline. They were loyal to a man, -these Rudarlian troops, always to their country, and gradually to me. I -think the good fellows learnt to love me when they saw that nothing was -spared to render them more comfortable, and that I, personally, was -always ready and anxious to assist them. - -I made it a point to inspect one regiment each week after lunching with -the officers; that is, of course, unless more urgent affairs detained -me. But, whenever I took a meal with the officers, I insisted that no -extra expense should be incurred. - -Whenever possible we had manoeuvres on a small scale, now in one -province, now in another. Upon one occasion, wishing to test the -non-coms., I ordered different companies to act as they would if left -without officers. The confusion was so great that it was decided, in -future, always to try this in all regiments. It was an order to which -the troops took very kindly; I fancy they looked upon it as rather a -joke. They made great strides in individuality, however. - -I have omitted mention of machine guns, as I never look upon them as -artillery, but as adjuncts to rifle fire, and in the case of pom-poms, -as cavalry supports. - -Our supply of these weapons was in proportion to our needs. - -Ten picked officers were sent to France for instruction in aviation. - - - - - *CHAPTER X* - - -It was indeed a busy time in Rudarlia. Ivan's death seemed to have -awakened her. From Melanov to Soctia, from Ruln to the farthest western -point of the kingdom, there was bustling activity. What had to be done, -was done, and thoroughly. All classes seemed to vie with each other in -the efforts they made to bring order out of chaos. Everywhere could be -seen the signs of reviving desire to live, and live well. No longer -were there dozens of farms unoccupied; instead, they rang with the -sounds of work, the voices of children, of men and women, who with -cheerful faces went about their daily toil, thankful that the burden had -been lifted from their lives. - -And in the towns it was the same story. - -Now, besides the gigantic tasks of granting a constitution and -reorganising the army, the other public services had to be overhauled, -especially the railways and roads. By the aid of money, much was done -to improve both, and also extend them. As if by magic, roads were made -connecting village to village and village to town. - -The Minister of War had a word to say about the railways; and more than -one military council was called to decide upon the advisability of -laying this or that piece of line. - -The railways in Rudarlia were state owned. I am not altogether in -favour of this, but in our case, I insisted upon all the employés being -men who had served their country in a military capacity, and the -railroads would thus be in the hands of men who were used to the -operations of military movements. - -Another reason I had for complying with state ownership was that, in -such a country as Rudarlia, depending as it did upon the agriculturists, -to a very large extent, the rate for carrying freight would be -controlled by the state; for to my mind such rates should be kept low, -and, if a loss is incurred by this, it is better for the state to bear -the burden than that the producers should be handicapped, as farmers -have already, in most climates, to fight against nature. - -It was fortunate for me that I was possessed of a fine constitution, and -was physically strong, for the strain was great. I was working from -morning until late at night. - -My Ministers, older men than I by many years, frankly confessed that -they could not keep pace with me. Personally, I fancy that I must have -been a little mad, so eaten up was I with the desire to improve -Rudarlia, and then still improve. I gloried in the success which our -efforts met with. - -Mr. Neville, who had brought my mother back to Karena, warned me time -and again not to overdo it, but in spite of all his good advice I -persisted, and luckily did not break down. - -My old tutor was of the greatest service to me. I had given him a suite -of rooms in the Palace, and he was ever near me when I wanted him, which -was quite often, I am afraid. - -Carruthers had returned to England soon after my ascending the throne, -but I had promised to send him word before hostilities broke out with -Bornia, so that he could get leave and join us. I knew that he would -have to dodge the authorities at home, somehow; but I gave him my -promise to cable the one word "Now" when I was certain that war was -inevitable. - -It was now nearly two years since I became King, and so far we had -managed to avoid any serious rupture with our neighbour; but that it was -near, I was convinced. We had added continually to our stores of every -kind. We had a large reserve of ammunition, small arms, and medical -stores, as well as a vast quantity of food in the fortified towns. - -I think it is permissible to say, with a good deal of pride, that -Rudarlia was ready for whatever happened; that is, as far as a nation -can be prepared. It depends so much upon what is willed--destiny, or -God's will, if it suits you better. Perhaps the terms are synonymous; -they were to me. But even if a nation is destined to be overthrown, and -swept away, even if the national life must end, the individual element -remains, so that every man, be he king or peasant, must profit by -straining every particle of energy for his nation and, in so doing, the -sacrifice he makes will strengthen himself. - -I had heard again from Prince Alexis, a threatening letter, full of -cunning malice and blackmail. I sent him a few thousands, for I was not -quite ready to refuse him. - -It was after this that I took a holiday--one week. Perhaps it was not -the kind to appeal to every one, but to me it was a needful change from -the routine of statecraft. I went walking with Mr. Neville. I should -think we averaged twenty miles a day. - -We walked among the peasants, the farmers, and the workers in the towns. -Everywhere we found contentment, and sometimes I blushed to hear the -praises heaped upon my head. We were generally taken for a pair of -Englishmen on tour. We talked with every one, as on our first visit to -Rudarlia. One day we visited Melanov, with two objects: to see Colonel -von Quarovitch, and hear news of Piotr. I knew that the former would -know me for his King, for he must have seen pictures of me, and heard -enough to connect me as King with his visitor, whom he no doubt had -thought eccentric, to say the least of it. - -As I did not wish the soldiery to know of my arrival, I asked Mr. -Neville to prepare him for my visit, so that I could see him alone. I -gave him two or three minutes and then went in. - -The news of my arrival had evidently come as a great surprise, for he -was still seated staring at Mr. Neville when I entered. He sprang to -his feet in a second and saluted. I saw his grim old face twitching. - -"I have come again, Colonel, as I promised," I said, and held out my -hand. - -His emotion was so great that for a moment or two I turned away; for the -sight of a strong man trying to restrain his emotion is a terrible -thing. - -I do not think there was the proper ceremony between us; in fact, on -second thoughts, I am sure there was not. We were far more like two -friends than King and subject. His delight over events was extreme; and -when I told him, as a secret, of certain plans, certain fortifications, -I really thought he was becoming crazy with joy. He swore like a -trooper, then apologised with the grace of a courtier, and swore again. - -He laughed gleefully at thoughts of war--I believe fighting was like -wine to him--and gave me minute accounts of his expenditure of the money -I had left with him. They met the fate I had promised them. - -We stayed two hours with him. At the inn, we heard news of Piotr, from -the oily host who had introduced him to our notice. It appeared that he -was back upon his farm, doing well. So there for the present we left -him, undisturbed; but I retained the half of the broken coin which he -had given me, and did not forget his promises. - -I enjoyed the first six days of that holiday immensely; but, on the -seventh, something happened, which I only enjoyed afterwards. - -From Melanov we had walked round to Ampletch, from where we intended to -return to Karena. We did not enter the town, but put up for the night -in an inn upon the outskirts, a very respectable place, standing a -little off the main road. - -The landlord, who looked like a man who never moved from his own yard, -showed us our rooms and the dining hall. We took a table standing by -itself in one corner near a window. - -I did not observe the other diners; but recollected afterwards that one -of them left the room immediately we entered, and I observed that his -dinner was uneaten. I thought no more about him. He, however, had -remembered something I had almost forgotten. - -It was not long after that Mr. Neville and I sought our beds, for we -were both tired. - - * * * * * - -I must be forgiven if I cannot describe my awakening, but my mind -refuses to recall my thoughts. I know, however, that I realised that my -head ached consumedly, that I was in a different room from the one in -which I had gone to sleep, and that my hands and feet were tied. - -There was light in the room, and after some little time I turned my head -towards it. A man was busy writing at a table. The light fell upon his -face, and I began to puzzle myself as to where I had seen it before. -Was it in England? No, I could not place it there. In -France?--Italy?--Russia? No. I pondered and worried, then like a flash -it came to me: Baron von Goltz! My mind seemed to clear, I understood -the unpleasantness of my position. I felt the rope cut into my arms as -I tried to burst myself free. Some noise I made must have roused the -man's attention, for he raised his head and looked at me. - -"Ah! awake, I see." - -Then, as I made no answer, he carefully blotted the letter he had -written, and enclosing it in an envelope placed it in his pocket. He -rose from his chair, shook himself, and walked over to the bed on which -I was lying. He was laughing to himself, as he stood looking down at -me. I met his gaze steadily, until he turned away. - -"I trust your Majesty is comfortable," he said. - -"Quite, thank you; but it is a devilish bad bed." I would not let the -fellow see that I was at all uneasy. - -"Good! Anyone can see that you are not of the same breed as Alexis." - -"Very distantly, I am glad to say; but you should not sneer at the -Prince, even a dog should not snap at the hand that feeds him." I saw -him wince at this, so I continued, "I suppose this is the work of your -master, isn't it?" - -"No, it is entirely my own." - -"H'm! it is pretty low, even for you; but may I trouble you for some -water? I find my throat rather parched." - -"Gad! you are all right, even though you are an Englishman." - -He laughed again as he turned away and left the room. - -The moment the door was shut, I commenced to wriggle. I thought I felt -something loosen; but I was once more rigid as he returned with the -desired drink. - -"No poison in it, is there?" I asked. - -He drank some of the water before putting it to my lips, then with his -arm round me he raised me enough to drink. He was quite tender, too, in -his movements; and I felt inclined to laugh--the situation had its -humours, in spite of its unpleasantness. I drank all the water there -was and felt better. - -"Well, what do you intend to do with me?" - -"Frankly, I don't know; it depends so much on how reasonable you are, -and what the plans of Alexis are, and he is a bit uncertain." - -"Of course, you know that you will be traced?" - -"Not a chance of it, I assure you." - -"You will certainly be hanged, Baron Goltz, that is, unless you untie me -and let me pass out." - -"It is extremely probable, no doubt, after the trouble I had in getting -you here. You ought to be worth a great deal to me, for Alexis will not -forget who gave him the throne." - -"No; I should be careful of knife-thrusts if I were you." - -"Your Sacred Majesty does not care for the Prince? Well, I don't blame -you, I don't think much of him myself." - -"Then why work for him?" - -"Who would you have me work for?" - -"For me." - -"No, thanks, my friend, you have had your pickings for eighteen months -or more; now it is our turn." - -"You have tied me up rather too tightly for comfort; if you would loosen -the ropes a bit I should be obliged." - -"Could I lay hands on your Majesty? Oh no!" - -"Then go to the devil!" I said. - -"After your Majesty." - -He continued to look at me for some time, but neither of us spoke. Then -again he left the room and again I had a good struggle with the ropes -and felt them give a little more. - -When, after a few minutes, he returned, he found me in the same position -as when he had left me. - -"Your Majesty must forgive me, but I am compelled to leave you for a -little time; there is a certain letter to be posted which is too -valuable to be let out of my hands. My servant will attend you while I -am away; he is deaf and dumb, so I do not think you will seduce him, -and--oh, by the by, you called me a dog just now, so I will tell you -something to console you during my absence. I have discovered a new -source of income to be paid me by Bornia; I have found out that there -are minerals in this country of a very valuable nature, and those mines -of yours-- Ah! that interests you, does it? Clever chap you are, I -suppose it was your idea. It's almost a pity to spoil the scheme, -but----" He shrugged his shoulders and turned away. At the door he -paused. "I shall not be long gone, be good till I return." - -I heard the key turn in the lock. I was alone and made good use of my -time, which I knew would be short. I found a knot with my fingers, -little by little I worked my elbows free and then my hands; I heaved a -great sigh of relief, but I was only just in time. I do not to this day -know how I did it, but I could have shouted with joy when it was done. - -There were footsteps outside. I put my still bound feet upon the floor -and sat up. Then I stood up, holding the ropes which had bound my arms -as though they were still tied; my left hand, however, was loose and -ready behind my back. - -The door opened and a man came in, some one outside relocked the door, -and I had a companion. He was a very perfect scoundrel by his -appearance. He possessed other deformities, besides being deaf and dumb, -a cast in one eye, a vile mouth, and inflamed nose. - -We stared at each other for a moment, and then I looked at my feet with -an appealing glance. He chuckled, and coming closer bent to see that my -feet were still secured. - -As he bent, my fist took him under the chin and he went down. The -impetus of my blow took me forward and I landed somewhat heavily on top -of him. Fearing that the fall would have been heard, I lay still -listening; but no one came, so I pulled him towards me and secured the -knife in his sash. With it, I cut the rope round my legs, and commenced -rubbing them to restore the circulation. Then I searched the fellow and -was rewarded by finding a revolver fully loaded in his pocket. It was -transferred to mine. - -I did not know how long he would remain unconscious, so I bound and -gagged him. Then I ran to the window and looked out. - -I was on the second floor of a two-storied house, the grey light of dawn -just enabling me to see the projecting roof over my head, and the paved -courtyard beneath. - -I refused to think of Goltz's last remark. All I thought of was how to -escape. I might be able to prevent the damage which he threatened then. -I gently pulled the bed to the window, stripped off the sheets and tore -them in two, lengthways, knotted them together, and I had a rope. I -then dragged the still unconscious man to the bed and thrust him under; -he was hidden by a blanket which I let hang over the side of the bed. I -wished them to suppose that he had aided me to escape. I placed a chair -with its back to the door tilted beneath the handle; and threw a hurried -glance round and over the desk. All the papers save one seemed of -little importance, the exception was a list of our supposed mines, with -certain details of the artillery. I could have shouted with exultation -as I placed it in my pocket. Then I fastened my improvised rope to the -head of the bed, throwing the other end out of the window, and was just -about to clamber over the window-sill--in fact, one leg was already -out--when I heard the sound of a horse galloping. I slipped back into -the room, and peeped from behind the curtain down into the yard beneath. - -The dawn was just breaking as Goltz rode in. - -I heard him speaking to some one, a loud laugh came up to me, then I -heard him say: - -"No, they don't know he is gone. Keep him walking up and down; I shall -want him again in twenty minutes or so." - -Now this remark upset all my plans, for it meant that my way of escape -was cut off: I could not hope to swing on that rope and get past an -armed man waiting below. So, instead, I crept under the bed, and lay -there upon my back with every nerve on the strain, and with the revolver -ready for instant use. - -Waiting there was extremely trying; it was lucky that I did not have to -wait for long. I had do push my stunned companion further under, as he -was in the way; I hoped sincerely that he would not start groaning or -struggling, and so give me away. - -Some one turned the key in the lock, and tried the handle; then I heard -a creaking noise, an oath, the sound of other voices and a crash--the -door was open. I could imagine the look of blank astonishment on their -faces when they saw the room apparently empty; and for a second there -was silence. Then Goltz gave hurried orders, they were to search the -roads and neighbourhood, I could not be far distant. There was a clatter -of feet descending the stairs. Had they all gone? I almost betrayed -myself: just as I was going to lift the blanket to peer out, some one -ran to the window and evidently looked out. - -"Leave my horse, I will follow in a minute or two." - -I saw two feet go past and heard Goltz speaking to himself: - -"Curse him, the cunning devil; but wait, my fine fellow, you can't have -gone far. I wonder if he searched the drawer----" - -Cautiously I peeped out; his back was turned, so, carefully keeping him -covered with my revolver, I wriggled from beneath the bed, and stood up. -I had not made enough noise to disturb him, and when I asked him quietly -to raise his hands above his head he spun round like a flash. - -"My God!" he cried. - -"No, only your King. Quick, up with them!" - -I have never seen a man more surprised; but he recovered very quickly -and held his hands up. In one of them was a package of papers. His -face had gone white, and his eyes glistened. - -"Baron Goltz, you are a very dirty traitor, and as such I am going to -shoot you. Have you anything to say?" - -I had made up my mind, as he raised his hands, that it was in the -interests of Rudarlia that he should die. The knowledge he had gained -was of too great importance; and I alone could not hope to keep him -prisoner. - -"It will be murder, and useless," he said. - -"Hardly, but I will risk it, you are too big a scoundrel to go free from -here." - -"It will be useless," he repeated, "as I have sent to a friend the -information you are afraid of my repeating." - -This staggered me, I confess, but I thought of the paper in my pocket. - -"What information?" - -"I sent a list of your mines and artillery, within the hour, to a man in -Bornia. I alone can stop them being sent to the King; you have the -upper hand of me here, so I will bargain if you like." - -"There is and can be no question of bargaining with a traitor like -yourself; besides, you never sent the list." - -"I sent it when I left you here." - -"You sent no list, you forgot to enclose it, it is now in my pocket." - -"You lie!" he cried, but I saw an anxious look creep into his eyes. - -"I do not lie, look for yourself." - -I pulled the paper out and opened it with one hand, taking good care to -keep him covered. - -He snarled like a wild beast and flung himself upon me. - -I shot him through the brain, it was the only thing to be done. - -I often wonder whether I should have been able to shoot him, had he not -attacked me. - -I took the package from his hands, slipped it into my pocket, and walked -out. - -I confess that I was trembling, for I had killed a man; and the -experience was not to my liking, although it was good work having killed -a traitor. - -I crept cautiously down the stairs, the house seemed empty, but Goltz's -horse was tied to the door-knocker. He shied a little as I approached -to unfasten him, perhaps it was the blood upon my coat; and I remember -that the knocker on the door sounded horrible, for as far as I knew -there was only the dead man and his stunned accomplice in the place. - -I mounted, and rode to the door of the courtyard: to right and left ran -a broad road. I did not know which way to turn, until I remembered that -Goltz had come from the right, so Ampletch must lie in that direction. -Accordingly, I rode hard for some five minutes. Then a shout made me -look round; two men were running towards me, they took me for Goltz, -perhaps. I did not wait to undeceive them. - -A mile or so farther on I began to feel a little dizzy, and dismounted -to get a drink of water from a brook that gurgled by the side of the -road. Near by the road curved, and as I knelt down a troop of horsemen -swept round the corner. They were cavalry, and at their head rode -Woolgast. - -I burst into a fit of laughter, it must have been rather hysterical, and -the next moment his arms were round me and the taste of raw brandy -between my lips. - -The troops were thunder-struck at sight of me, and I saw some of them -feeling their swords, as though they hoped that they would soon be -called upon to use them. The brandy worked wonders, and I said to -Woolgast: - -"General, there is a house a little way in that direction, with a light -in the second story. Search the house, you will find a man dead there -and one stunned beneath a bed; secure him and all papers to be found -there. A few minutes ago, there were armed men searching for me, -somewhere along the road; capture them, dead or alive." - -He gave the orders, and the troops trotted past with many an anxious -glance in my direction. - -Woolgast, with two troopers, remained behind. He looked at me -inquiringly. - -"Your Majesty can ride?" - -"Of course; I am all right now, if you will give me my horse." - -The animal had strayed a little down the road. The trooper went to bring -him back, and it was at that moment that Woolgast noticed blood upon his -glove. - -"My God!" - -"It is not mine," I said, and he heaved a sigh of relief. - -"What were you doing along this road, General?" - -"It was reported that Goltz had been seen at Ampletch last evening--he -had been spying at Zarlon--I thought that I might obtain news of him." - -"Goltz is dead, I shot him half an hour ago." - -He gave a great cry of astonishment, and would have asked me when, how, -and where, had not the etiquette of Court prevented him. So I told him -as rapidly as possible what had occurred. - -His wrath was wonderful. - -"Now," I said when I had finished, "we will ride back, or rather you -will, for I wish you to take charge of the papers yourself; there may be -some of importance, I do not know. I shall ride on to the _Golden -Horn_, and you can report there." - -"And these troopers, your Majesty will take them?" - -"No, I will ride alone, let them keep silent about this meeting." - -There were few people in the streets as I rode through them, and it was -with considerable difficulty that I procured an ostler to take my horse -at the inn. He was too sleepy-headed to notice anything awry with me, -and I made my way to Mr. Neville's room. - -He was evidently still asleep, for I had to knock three times before a -drowsy voice asked what I wanted; but, as soon as he recognised my -voice, he was wide awake, and the door was opened in a twinkling. - -"What is it, Victor? My God, what has happened?" - -I pushed him into the room and closed the door. Then when he was in his -bed again, I sat on the foot of it, and related what had happened to me -in those few hours, since we had said good night. - -I had barely finished, or rather Mr. Neville had not ceased his fire of -questions, when Woolgast rode up to the inn with his escort. - -Even now, when I recall the host's face as he ushered the General in, I -cannot help smiling. It was the picture of blank and despairing -astonishment. The thought that he had had the King under his roof, and -had not paid him special attention, appalled him. He did not know that -afterwards, when I had time to think, I blessed his thick head; for had -he kept watch and guard over me, as he would have done, had he known me, -I had never been able to frustrate Goltz. - -Luck had been mine all through my life, and it had not deserted me when -I needed it. I was grateful. - -Woolgast's report was succinct: one man was alive, the other two had -shown fight. Enough said. The fellow under the bed was a prisoner. All -papers were in his possession. The house was in charge of an officer -and half a dozen men. - -"You have said nothing to the host, General?" - -"Nothing, your Majesty." - -"Good! Tell your men to say as little as possible; I do not wish it to -become widely known, at any rate at present. You will breakfast with -me, and we will ride to Karena afterwards, or, better still, return by -train. Your prisoners must be taken to Karena. What officer is there -below?" - -"Captain von Riech, your Majesty." - -"Tell him that I place the two in his charge, they are not to be allowed -to speak or see anyone except the jailers. We will breakfast in my room -in three-quarters of an hour." - - - - - *CHAPTER XI* - - -I bathed and dressed myself, constructing in my mind the procedure of -Goltz's daring raid upon my person. - -He must have gone straight to my bedroom when he left the dining hall, -and concealed himself somewhere, most probably beneath the bed. Then -having rendered me unconscious, let in his accomplices, and lowered me -from the window. Once outside, I could easily have been passed off as a -drunken man being taken home. He had pulled my day clothes over my -pyjamas. - -It was a pity that he was such a scoundrel; for, had he been a decent -member of society, he might have risen high in the world--for he was -clever and undoubtedly brave. - -I felt no qualms at having killed him: he was a grave danger to -Rudarlia, and also to myself, so my action had been partly in -self-defence. It would have been much more unpleasant if I had had to -kill a horse or dog. - -Upon arriving at the Palace, I immediately sent for Prince Zeula and -Count Belen. - -Prince Zeula was the first to enter and embraced me affectionately. I -waited for Count Belen before saying anything, as I did not wish to have -to repeat the tale oftener than I could help. - -They were very greatly dismayed, and the Count was almost purple with -indignation, especially when he heard that our forts were known. He -calmed down a little, however, when I told him that I did not believe -much mischief had been done. - -As soon as they had been told everything, we set to work to peruse the -documentary evidence. At first, we discovered nothing of any -importance, for most of the papers dealt with military matters that were -known to all people. Then we found one that caused us to squirm, as it -contained much information about our reserves of guns and ammunition. -Goltz had evidently been a most successful spy, and we could only hope -that he had not sent his report to Bornia. We had nearly come to an end -of the papers, when I came across a list of some twenty names of men who -had been Ivan's friends; against seven of them had been made a cross and -the word "accepted." - -"Accepted what?" I said, passing the paper to the Prince. - -The next sheet explained it, being a letter from Alexis, giving a brief -outline of a plot for my dethronement; attached was a list of the same -names with a heading in Prince Alexis's writing: "Ivan's friends, sound -them." - -The three of us looked at each other in silent dismay. That seven out -of twenty should have accepted the proposals, which I may justly call -infamous, was appalling; we did not know how many had been approached. -It might have been that all would have accepted, and they were men who -had been treated with absolute leniency and consideration. - -"This is in your hands, Prince; it can be nothing but imprisonment, -exile would be inadvisable at the present time." - -"There is one thing preferable to imprisonment, your Majesty." - -"Perhaps; but we must remember that they may not have been told of the -assassination part of the scheme. They may have thought only to -overthrow me; perhaps, too, they would not sell Rudarlia." - -"It is giving them the benefit of a big doubt." - -"I should not if there were any harm likely to come of it; but, if you -will give orders to arrest these men simultaneously, I think their teeth -will be drawn, and we shall have nothing to fear. In a little time it -will not matter." - -"And the others on the list, will your Majesty place them under -surveillance?" - -"No, I think not; for, if they have been approached, they have refused -to acquiesce, if not, they will probably know nothing about it." - -For a short time, few people knew that I had been abducted, but after a -while it became almost public property. It was known, too, that I had -shot Goltz, but it was not known that we had discovered evidence of a -plot; that was kept from the knowledge of all save a chosen few. - -Prince Alexis wrote to me, and ended his letter with a request for five -thousand pounds, as a salve to his feelings at the reported death of his -friend Baron von Goltz. - -He must have had a sense of humour after all, although up to now I had -discovered no trace of it. - -I replied to this letter, sympathising with him over the loss of his -friend, and regretting my inability to do more than pay for his funeral. - -I was no longer anxious to fend off his attacks. He could try to do us -as much harm as he liked, and, really, the sooner he showed his hand, -the better I should be pleased. As far as it was possible to be seen, -we were ready; so we sat quietly, and waited. - -It was about this time that Prince Zeula first broached the subject of -my marriage. - -He had lunched or rather breakfasted with me, and we were allowing -ourselves an easy half-hour, to digest our food and smoke a cigar. - -I had noticed that he was slightly perturbed about something, and that -he was formulating some thought in his head. I knew he would only speak -when he had his idea firmly fixed, so I waited patiently. - -"Victor!" - -"Yes?" - -"Are you satisfied with your country and countrymen?" - -"Intensely." - -"Do you think that you have done everything possible to prepare for all -eventualities? - -"I sincerely hope so. There are many little things that I do not -interfere with, but the main preparations are completed; that is, if you -are thinking of our preparations against any Bornian attack. You know -that our aeroplanes have arrived in Soctia?" - -"I had heard of it." - -"You hear of everything. Is there anything that I could tell you that -would really surprise you?" - -"There is one thing." - -"And that is?" - -He hesitated a moment and then said: - -"I should be very much surprised to hear that you had thought of making -your greatest sacrifice for Rudarlia." - -Then, I knew what was in his mind, and unconsciously I tried to gain -time, so as to put off hearing what I did not wish to hear; until I -realised that this was pure cowardice on my part, and said: - -"What is that?" - -"Marriage." - -"Good Lord!" - -"Your greatest sacrifice; I call it that because a Royal marriage very -often lacks love, and I know that to you it will be a torture, and yet, -my boy, it is essential." - -"I suppose it is," I said, "but is it imperative to think of it yet?" - -"Only in order to fix the idea firmly in your head, to give you time to -form your thoughts on the subject, to prepare for what must come. You -see, Victor, with your temperament, it is difficult to think of married -life run on lines of convenience. You must forgo romance, and fill its -place, as best you may, with the knowledge that you are sacrificing your -personal feelings for the good of the state." - -"I will think of it; I suppose it must be into some reigning family?" - -"If possible, but at least Royal." - -I walked to the window and looked out; but I don't think I saw much, my -mind being occupied with the recollection of a slim girlish figure with -a bandaged ankle. - -I say recollection, for, to confess the truth, I had forgotten that -charming riverside idyll. It was strange; at the time, I could have -sworn that I loved that pretty little girl; and yet it was not more than -two years and she had gone, with the exception of a pleasant memory. - -I had excuses to offer to myself; I had been a boy when it had occurred, -and since I had become a man and a King. As such I had made a -constitution, reorganised an army, and killed a traitor; all useful -things in their way, as well as a thousand other duties which make a -king's lot a heavy one. - -Ah well! and so I was to marry some one, I must marry some one, for the -sake of Rudarlia. It was a case of duty, duty which prevents a king -enjoying personal liberty. Even in a matter such as marriage, he must -bow his head and do as some one else wills, as cheerfully as his -character will allow. - -I wonder how many of my subjects realise just what it means to be their -King. To live in a beautiful palace, with beautiful food and clothes, -horses, motor-cars, an army of servants; surrounded by Courtiers and -Ministers. It is a pretty picture, an alluring prospect, to the poor -man who only hears that side of it. But, if they knew the infinite -boredom to be derived from too many servants, Courtiers, too much food -and Palace, if they understood the wearying routine, the never-ending -etiquette, the fettering of wish and will, I fancy that their opinions -would change. A king, however, should be king, and his example should -be that of the head of the state. It is to him that people should look, -it is he who should be a light for his people to follow along the roads -of devotion, loyalty, honour, and duty. - -Yet what a position of difficulties it is, and how much depends on the -choice a king makes. I had made up my mind to regulate my life to -moderation; for that, it seems to me, is the safest course. Let a king -be over-powerful, it is almost certain that he will injure his country -by trying to do those things which are more than any one man can -attempt. Let a king be weak, he will fail through being ruled instead of -ruling, so that the power which should be his gets into the hands of men -who are, perhaps, guided chiefly by self-interest, and the result will -be anarchy, chaos, and perhaps the destruction of monarchical rule. - -I must have stood by the window for a good twenty minutes, turning -things over in my mind, before I turned and looked at Zeula. - -"Well," I said, "I am ready, or shall be when the time comes; but -remember that, when it does, Rudarlia may have ceased to be a kingdom, -who knows?" - -"God knows, we are in His hands." - -"Amen; but He has given us brains and arms, strong men with brave -hearts, and unless He fights against us we will win, I know it." - -"We will, but when that day comes, Victor, where will the King be?" - -"In his proper place, at the head of his army." - -"Is that your proper place? You have no heir." - -"Would you have me sit here while my army is in the field?" - -"It would be better, much better." - -"Then better be d--d!" said I. At which my companion smiled, for I -seldom swear. "I will fight with my men, and if I am killed it will be -so much the worse for you; because Rudarlia will become a republic, and -you will be the first President." - -"We will hope for the best then. You have luck, or Goltz might still be -keeping you." - -"The luck of having a hard fist and knowing how to use it." - -"And a quick brain," he added, "don't forget that. I should never have -thought of looking for you under the bed, if I had been Goltz, when I -saw the open window and the rope of sheets." - -"No, I don't think I should have myself." - -I presume that Prince Zeula thought that the seed he had let fall, in -regard to my marriage, was sufficient, for he did not mention the -subject again for a considerable time. That day, however, it did its -work well and quite upset any keen desire for work which I may have had; -so after a little while, I went to see my mother, a thing I generally -did when perturbed. It is wonderful to me how so many mothers have the -gift of being able to understand and console, without allowing it to be -seen. - -Now, for the next three months or so nothing occurred to disturb our -peace, and Rudarlia showed signs of awakening prosperity. Nature had -been kind to the agriculturists for once, and money began to circulate -more freely; therefore we felt more at ease in giving time to the -improvement of existing conditions of life. - -At the end of that time I heard again from Prince Alexis. I answered -him curtly to the effect that any further communications would be -returned unopened, and almost immediately our relations with Bornia -altered; up to now they had been those of smiling, courteous dislike. - -I hastened my plans in one thing only: the purchasing of an armoured -cruiser just completed by an English firm, for one of the South American -Republics, and a torpedo-boat destroyer. - -These two vessels were a gift from me to Rudarlia; and I thought Prince -Kleber would burst with delight when I told him of my intentions. He -had made the most of our naval forces, which until then had consisted of -three coast defence vessels, an obsolete ironclad, and three -torpedo-boats. When he had these two additional ships, I believe he -would have cheerfully tried to tackle the British fleet. - -The cruiser was named the _Soctia_, much to the gratification of that -province. - -Personally I did not fear an attack by sea, the town of Soctia, our one -port of any importance, being too well fortified. - -About now, was finished the installation of the "Wireless" telegraph -system, which linked up all our garrison towns. - -Then, one eventful day, came the tidings that Bornia was mobilising, -ostensibly for manoeuvres. A reasonable enough thing; but there was no -need to send so many troops to our frontiers, there was no need to keep -matters so secret, and there was no need to issue ball cartridges. Our -Secret Service kept us well informed on most points. - -I sent the promised word to Carruthers. - -Mr. Neville took a broken coin to Piotr. - -Quarovitch was commanded to Karena. - -Carruthers answered immediately, in a manner at once laconic and wanting -in proper respect: - -"Coming, good old Splosh." - -Quarovitch was to hand. - -Piotr accompanied Mr. Neville. He had no idea that the English lord was -his King. - -My old tutor told me, when he came to announce his arrival, that Piotr -had been in the middle of some farm work, but upon catching sight of the -broken coin had run to his house, seized his revolver and a few -necessaries, and fairly tired his companion with the haste of his -movements. Mr. Neville had not explained anything, but had given him -the token, and told him that I was in need of him. - -He chuckled as he told me that Piotr was all impatience to kill some one -for my sake. - -Asking Mr. Neville to fetch him, I also sent word for Colonel von -Quarovitch to be admitted in half an hour's time. Then I slipped behind -a curtain and waited. - -I saw Piotr enter the room with a puzzled expression on his face, which -grew more intense when he discovered it to be apparently empty. He -toyed with his revolver and the hilt of his dagger, stood first on one -leg, then on the other, and looked generally uncomfortable. So, to end -it, I stepped out into view. - -"Well, Piotr, you see I have not forgotten your promise to help me out -of a difficulty." I held out my hand. - -"I am grateful to your Excellency for remembering, and am truly pleased -to see you again." - -"You are astonished, perhaps, to see me here?" - -"I am, Excellency, but His Majesty was brought up in your country, they -say." - -"So you think I have been favoured on that account, perhaps." - -"Indeed, no; only it may have made His Majesty think of you." - -"I am afraid that is not the case, indeed, cannot be the case, for I am -a Rudarlian as you are." - -"No!" - -"Indeed I am, Piotr, and I trust a good one." - -"God bless your Excellency, that is good news indeed." - -"Tell me, Piotr, are you glad that things have changed in Rudarlia?" - -"As is every honest man. I own my farm again now, and am not afraid of -the days when the taxes are paid." - -"That is good, and those around you, your family, your friends, are they -as contented as yourself?" - -"Yes, Excellency." - -"And what has become of the other members of your band?" - -"They live around my neighbourhood; most of them have small farms, and -the others who have not, earn good wages now, and they will soon save -enough to buy a piece of land for themselves." - -"Splendid! I suppose you still keep the secret of your hiding-place; -the other men would not have told of its position?" - -"Not a word. They took an oath never to do so, unless I gave them -permission, for the place was mine by right of discovery." - -"Supposing it was needed for the sake of Rudarlia and that His Majesty -said, 'Send for Piotr that I may ask him for permission to use his -hiding-place for his country's good.'" - -This appeared to tickle him immensely and he roared with laughter. - -"If His Majesty asked for it, he should have it for his own sake, -Excellency, and my life with it if he wished." - -I rang a bell. - -"Has Colonel von Quarovitch arrived yet?" - -"He awaits your Majesty." - -"Tell him I wish to see him now." - -Almost before the door had closed, Piotr was on his knees before me. - -"Your Majesty, how could I be so blind! I did not think--and yet I -should have known. Forgive me my want of respect. My life, everything -I have is yours." - -"Thank you, Piotr. I am your King, but I would have your devotion, -nothing more." - -"Your Majesty has that, God knows, and not only mine, but that of every -man and woman that I know." - -I believe that he would have liked to spend quite a considerable time -expatiating on my various merits, had not Quarovitch entered. - -"Ah, Colonel," I said, as he saluted, "I wish you to become acquainted -with a man you may have heard of. You may even have sought his company. -His name is Piotr, and under Ivan's beneficent rule he lived in a way -that might have incurred your displeasure. He is now, however, one of -my friends." - -"I know him by sight, your Majesty, also by reputation. I believe we -once exchanged slight courtesies with one another." - -Here Piotr grinned. - -"I trust neither of you were hurt," I said. - -"I don't know about Piotr, your Majesty, but I had an inch of skin taken -off my arm." - -"And you, Piotr?" I asked. - -For answer he lifted the thick hair from the side of his face--part of -an ear was missing. - -"That I consider highly satisfactory, you both need bear no grudge; -neither of you owes the other anything, and you must both have made -excellent shooting." - -I laughed, and my two companions did likewise, quite heartily. - -"And now, Colonel, sit down, and you too, Piotr. I have something of -the utmost importance to say to you, and which must be kept absolutely -to yourselves. It is this: in all probability we shall be at war with -Bornia before the month is out." - -A gleam lit up Quarovitch's face. Piotr sat silent. - -"You have no doubt heard," I continued, "that Bornia has mobilised for -manoeuvres. I have information that they are extremely busy at their -arsenals, that ammunition is being hastened to the frontiers--and it is -not blank shell. The time has passed when due warning was given before -going to war. It is therefore necessary to prepare in peace time. Of -course the whole affair may be nothing, or it may be as we surmise: that -Bornia thinks that she is strong enough to crush us, and place Prince -Alexis on the throne in my place. If that indeed be their plan, some -small incident will serve as an excuse for an ultimatum. In any case, -if it does not come now, it will in the near future. I think myself, -and the Ministers think with me, that they mean war now." - -"It were better so, your Majesty, if we are ready too," said Colonel von -Quarovitch. - -"And what say you, Piotr?" - -"That we farmers do not want war, but if it comes we shall know when to -fight, and how to fight, but not when to stop fighting, especially when -you say they wish to dethrone your Majesty." - -"Piotr speaks well," said Quarovitch. - -"Good! You in the army will fight, because it is your duty; you of the -farms, in self-protection; and both for Rudarlia." - -"And the King," said Quarovitch. "Don't forget that, your Majesty; -Piotr, here, would not have raised a hand if Ivan had been still -reigning; and I should have hated doing so." - -"It is lucky you are seldom at Court, Colonel, because I can see that -you would forget your soldierly habits for those of the courtier." - -"God forbid, your Majesty!" he cried, and then we all three laughed -again. - -I took a map from my desk, spreading it out before me. - -"Come closer, and look. Here is Melanov, Piotr. I wish you to point out -to the Colonel the exact spot of which we were talking." - -"It is there, your Majesty." - -"You see, Colonel, there?" - -"I see nothing except that small road which you have traced in red ink." - -"You know it?" - -"Surely, as I know every inch of the country round, with the exception -of one place." - -"And that?" - -"Where Piotr used to hide himself, that I never could discover." - -"He will show it to you, Colonel." - -"For a purpose, your Majesty?" - -"For a purpose. I wish you to go there, without anyone knowing, and see -how best it can be adapted quickly to accommodate at least ten thousand -troops, for some days." - -"Aha!" - -"You will also determine the best way for the said troops to arrive -there, and whether it will be possible to remove the traces of their -progress. When you have all the information required, return to me -here." - -"It shall be done, your Majesty." - -"You, Piotr, will accompany Colonel von Quarovitch. If help is needed -select from your friends the necessary number of men. They will work -under the Colonel's directions, and you will be in charge, and will pay -them for their time, at twice the ordinary rates. For your own trouble, -I promise that you shall be satisfied." - -"I want nothing, your Majesty, my life is yours." - -"Then return with Colonel von Quarovitch, we shall perhaps need you." - - - - - *CHAPTER XII* - - -It was three days before Quarovitch returned with the details which I -had desired him to obtain. He was in a state of mind bordering upon -dismay, that such a place should have existed without his knowledge. He -was amazed, disgusted, and yet pleased, for the report he brought back -showed that he had a fair inkling of what I intended to do. - -Silently we prepared for war, mobilising quietly and quickly, without -any undue haste, but with careful attention to details. - -I interviewed the Press. Thank God they were all loyal, and were only -too pleased to fall in with the scheme I proposed to them: which was to -refrain from mentioning any movements of troops, or details of military -import. I promised them that, whenever it was possible, news that they -could print should be given to them; they also agreed to write articles, -strongly advocating Peace. - -As soon as I had Quarovitch's report, I called a Council of War. It was -composed of Count von Belen, Prince von Zeula, Prince von Venoff, -General von Vorkovitch, Prince Kleber, General Avilinoff, General von -Scutane, and Colonel von Quarovitch. Mr. Neville was there to act as -secretary, for we wished to keep our plans known to as few people as -possible. - -I am sure there was a strong current of excitement running through us as -we settled ourselves down to examine the large maps of Rudarlia, which -were spread on the table. - -"Gentlemen," I said, "we all know the strained feeling now existing -between this country and our neighbour Bornia; their mobilisation points -to serious possibilities, I may say probabilities. I have therefore -called this Council to deliberate upon the steps we must take to prepare -for war. - -"I may tell those of you who are not in the Ministry that we have -received information that the great Powers will not interfere in this -war--if it should come to war. With this assurance, which as you know -is of vast importance, we can rest satisfied. The main issue will -therefore rest upon the skill with which we meet the enemy. If our -strategy is superior to that of the Bornians, all will be well. I -refuse to allow for one moment the idea that it may be inferior, -therefore we will not waste time in discussing that eventuality. - -"In the Councils we have held in the past, it has been generally -concluded that any invasion by Bornia would come from the west, as it -did before; and certainly the number of troops massed there point to the -probability of the suggestion. - -"The military experts among us point out that the Ruln, Agrade, and -Karena line is the only possible means of conveying heavy guns to attack -our fortified capital, which is most likely the correct opinion; but it -must be remembered that there are other ways of reaching Karena. Prince -Kleber is the only one who suggests that the attack may be made through -Soctia, but I am afraid that there the wish is father to the thought." - -"That is so," said the Prince, so glibly that we all smiled. - -"That being so, I think we can trust our troops in Soctia to repulse any -raid through Garace, which, on account of the nature of the ground to -the north, would be of no real import to the general plan of the -Bornians, save as the means to create a panic, and draw troops from more -important places. - -"Now, there is another way into Karena which has not as yet been hinted -at as a possible line of attack. All of you, with courteous -consideration for my feelings, have refrained from any adverse criticism -regarding certain fortified places to the north of Karena. But I have -no doubt that you have often considered the money spent as so much -waste; it may be so, but it was spent with the idea of preventing an -attack in that direction. The road from Melanov to Karena is the -shortest way from Bornian frontiers to our capital." - -"Does your Majesty know the road from Melanov to Karena?" asked -Vorkovitch. - -"Very well, General. I have walked it twice with my eyes open." - -"Would your Majesty consider that an attack could be made from there?" - -"I trust so, since I have counted upon such an attack being attempted." - -"But it would be madness to advance that way, there are no roads to -speak of; we could mass our men, so that the enemy would not be able to -advance half a dozen miles. The Bornians must know that and they are -not mad." - -"And yet it is the shortest way to Karena from the frontier." - -"It would not be if we were in between." - -"Perhaps not; but did you intend being in between? I have not heard the -suggestion made." - -"No, your Majesty, I did not mention it, as it would be absurd to waste -troops in that direction, when the frontier guard would be sufficient." - -"Very well, is that the general opinion?" - -"It appears to be, your Majesty," said Prince Zeula. - -"Are there no dissentients?" - -"Three, your Majesty: Count Belen, Colonel von Quarovitch, and myself." - -"You agree with me then, Colonel von Quarovitch?" - -"I do, your Majesty, and should like to mention that some years ago I -sent in a report to that effect. At that time, I am convinced, they -could have marched through, that is, if they had taken us by surprise." - -"You think then they will try a surprise to the north; on what grounds -do you base your supposition?" - -"The south and west have been fortified since the last invasion. They -know that, therefore it must strike them that they will meet with great -opposition in those quarters. This opposition, however, would be -tremendously lessened, if not completely upset, by a striking success to -the north." - -"Then what do you imagine would be their plan of attack?" - -"I think, your Majesty, that their main forces will strike along the -Ruln-Agrade line, and at the same time they will throw a column through -Melanov." - -"Pshaw!" said Vorkovitch. - -"What is your objection to Colonel von Quarovitch's argument?" - -"My chief objection is that he takes the Bornians for fools, and argues -on that premise. I maintain that no sane general would try to deliver a -main attack through such country as that between Melanov and Karena." - -"Colonel von Quarovitch did not suggest a main attack by the north, but -a flying column; personally, I should be inclined to think that they -would send a larger force than that." - -With the exception of Quarovitch, the military element were against me. -It was easy to see that their thoughts ran along preconceived lines of -strategy, which I think is rather a failing among military men. It -seems to me that they go too much to the great generals of past times, -whereas no two battles have ever been exactly similar. - -On former occasions, when we had held a Council, the soldiers had agreed -most easily, but then we had not discussed the prospect of immediate -warfare. Now, when we should all have been eager to find the best -possible defence, each of these same Generals wanted his own plan to be -adopted. - -I listened to each proposition, carefully weighing it; I did not -criticise, there was no need, with the other Generals there. - -More than once I introduced the subject of Melanov, but each time it met -with almost unveiled scorn. So finally I said no more; but I had my own -ideas, and I intended to carry them out. - -The advance from Ruln was the great topic of discussion, it was there -that the opinions differed: one proposed this, another that, until I was -weary listening to their wrangling. - -Quarovitch said little, being only a Colonel, and I almost regretted not -having raised him in rank before this. - -The result of this Council was nil. We sat again that evening, also the -next morning; and still they argued, and argued. - -At this meeting General von Vorkovitch fell ill; he was a very old man, -and the strain had proved too much for him. He retired from the -Council, and I sent a car to take him to his home near Damretch. - -When he had gone I decided to take matters into my own hands, for time -was flying, and we were hardly any nearer the solution of our problem. -We were receiving reports continually from the border of fresh troops -arriving in the neighbourhood of Ruln; it was evident that their main -attack would come that way. I had my spies, too, on the Melanov border, -but so far nothing was reported save a certain restlessness at Nerane, -and certain tracks which could not be accounted for by ordinary traffic. -I sent Piotr to try his luck, and see what he could discover. - -Now we had decided that the Ruln-Karena line was where our chief -fighting must be done, and upon this point General Avilinoff and I -agreed. General von Scutane had sided with General von Vorkovitch. They -wished to offer a tremendous defence at Ruln itself, even to advance -into Bornia, their reasons being that in that way we should be fighting -upon the enemy's soil, which is always encouraging to the soldiers. -This was not at all what I wished. It was too much like stalemate, that -is, granting that we could hold Ruln. It seemed to me that, even if we -could, nothing decisive could result, for we were not in a position to -invade Bornia. On the other hand, if we allowed them to force a way -slowly into Rudarlia, there would be more chance of victory. With our -small army we could wage a defensive campaign, where we could hope for -nothing from the offensive. We should be fighting on our own territory, -of which we should know every inch; and, as to the morale of our troops, -well, I had always understood that men would fight to the death in -defence of their own. - -It was then decided that our policy should be a slow strategic retreat -to our own chosen positions. - -We were just about to adjourn for an hour, when an urgent message was -brought to me by Woolgast; it ran: - - -"I have news of the utmost importance to your Majesty, and to the -Council now sitting. I await your Majesty's orders.--RUPERT -CARRUTHERS." - - -"Admit him, please," I said, and waited. - -There must be something serious afoot, or he would never have been so -formal, nor would he have interrupted our Council. He had not wasted -much time in coming over, and, perhaps, on his way he had gathered news. -I wondered whether he had come through Nerane. - -He entered the room and saluted. - -I felt inclined to jump up and seize his hand, and laugh with pleasure -at sight of him, but of course I could not, so had to content myself -with a good look at him. He really was a splendid looking man, the -ideal soldier; and it was strange that at that moment I wondered whether -he was ever going to be married, and whether there was no Rudarlian girl -to tempt him to matrimony. - -"Ah, Monsieur Carruthers, you have news, you say, of importance to us. -I shall be pleased to hear you." - -"I come from Nerane, sir"--it was almost ludicrous to see the start -which nearly every one gave, the word "Nerane" seemed to act as a -spur--"being desirous of arriving here as soon as possible, I hired a -horse and, in trying a short cut, lost my way; in seeking the road again -I blundered upon a body of Bornian troops not more than seven miles from -Melanov." - -"What's that?" I cried, and I saw General von Soutane's hands clench, as -they rested on the table. "Bornian troops, sir. I estimated their -number to be about ten to fifteen thousand. They are bivouacked in a -defile to the east of the road, well hidden from any ordinary -passer-by." - -"Ah! did you observe any details, monsieur? Had they guns?" - -"Only horse artillery, but in Nerane I saw heavier weapons." - -"Openly displayed?" - -"No, sir, they were hidden in a small farm to the south of the town; -observing heavy tracks, I walked up to the house to ask for a drink of -water. The guns were covered with masses of hay." - -"And what made you suppose them to be guns?" - -"At first it was a surmise on my part, as, in England, haystacks are not -guarded by armed soldiers. Afterwards I made sure, as one of them was -carelessly covered." - -I smiled at this, knowing Rupert's inordinate curiosity, and almost -superhuman dexterity in ferreting out what he wished to know. - -"Was there not considerable risk in walking to the house as you did? -Surely it would have been better to have ridden up as any traveller -would?" - -"I had not my horse then, sir." - -"I thought you said you had hired a horse." - -"It was at the farm that I obtained my horse, sir." - -Rupert allowed a grin to twist his lips, so I said no more about the -horse, but I knew there was a story attached to the possession of it. I -turned to Avilinoff. - -"What do you say now, General?" - -"Can Monsieur Carruthers give any reason for supposing that the -intentions of these troops were other than pacific?" - -"They were carrying ball cartridges, General." - -"Then, your Majesty, I say that I was wrong about the north." - -"You mean that Colonel von Quarovitch may be right?" - -"More than that, I say that he _is_ right. They evidently propose a -raid; how big, of course it is impossible to say until we know more. -Could Monsieur Carruthers give us more details?" - -"I had not much time, General, but I saw an aeroplane with the troops, -and there were signs of great activity in Nerane. I only got through by -pretending to be the nephew of Sir George Curtiss." - -We adjourned after this for an hour, Rupert breakfasted with me, and -told me the truth about his horse. It appeared that as he was leaving -the farm, he met an officer leading his horse; this officer stopped him, -and asked his business. Carruthers had calmly knocked him down, placed a -thousand franc note in his pocket, and confiscated his horse. The money -he had left was what he described as payment for the hire of the animal. -He also described the payment as: "A d--d sight more than the beast was -worth." - -That same day we worked out the full scheme of our south-eastern -defence, and I appointed Avilinoff as Commander-in-Chief. The north I -reserved. I had made up my mind to conduct that campaign myself. It -was perhaps conceited, idiotic, even criminal, that I, a ridiculously -young King, should take into my own hands the leadership of an army, but -I had faith in myself, and in my soldiers. I did not presume to pose as -a tactician, but the strategy should be mine, for I felt it. Perhaps it -was some spark inherited from a soldier ancestor, I do not know. - -We had, when fully mobilised, an army of one hundred and thirty thousand -men; this number did not include the garrisons of such places as Soctia, -Poiska, or Orvlov. It was the actual fighting force that reached that -number. Of these I retained forty thousand; the other ninety thousand -were under the command of Avilinoff. - -Our railways were never idle, and in order to confuse the enemy's spies -very few people knew of the ultimate destination of the troops, these -being moved backwards and forwards; but gradually they were drafted off -to the frontier, or as near to it as Avilinoff wished. - -I made Quarovitch a General, for I intended giving him a large command -in the north, and he and I worked hard together concocting our plan, and -deciding on the composition of the forces necessary to carry it out. - -Forty thousand men may have seemed a large proportion of our fighting -force to have kept for the north, and I believe it was greatly -criticised, but my reasons were these: we did not know how many of the -enemy would be opposed to us, I wished to have the numerical superiority -over any probable force. - -I wanted to gain a victory, of a decisive kind, quickly, and also I -thought that, after a victory in the north, the troops, when they did -reach the southern army, would leaven that in a most satisfactory way, -especially as Avilinoff's army would have been retreating for some time. - -For some days small bodies of troops left Karena, after dark, for a -destination known only to the officer in charge, and Quarovitch. Of -course, I was aware that they went, and where; but, then, I was supposed -to know everything. - -A shooting affray in which a Bornian officer was wounded, a fishing boat -seized by our coast guard, were the two excuses our enemy needed; these -two things happened simultaneously, and within twenty-four hours they -had presented an ultimatum. - -That same night Piotr returned. He had ample information, and of such a -nature that I blessed the thought that had induced me to retain so many -troops in the north. He left again some hours later with Quarovitch. - -Between Prince Venoff and the Bornian Minister, there was a great deal -of going to and fro. Our Foreign Minister, full of wiles, played his -part to perfection. He asked for more time, appeared to meditate -compliance with the terms of the ultimatum, suggested compromises with -every sign of nervousness; but all to no avail, the Bornian was -relentless. - -I cannot remember meeting a man so born to be duped. He was enormously -conceited, overbearing, and haughty. He only possessed a modicum of -those qualities a Minister needs. - -Had he been a wiser man, our course of procedure would have been very -different, but as it was he was fooled completely, and the more fooled -he was the more pressing he became in his demands. - -At last we could hold him off no longer, even if we had wished to; and -he was recalled upon war being declared. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIII* - - -So war had come, and I, for one, thanked God that it had not found us -unprepared. - -The first shot of the war was fired at Ruln. It took the enemy three -days, and cost them many lives, to drive our small force out of that -place. It was on that day that they made their first move from the -north, and it is with this attack that I will deal first. - -A thousand men seized Melanov, driving out a small force of ill-equipped -Rudarlians. These retired with every appearance of panic and surprise. -It was Captain von Essens who was responsible for this move, and he had -chosen his men for their intelligence; they must have acted their part -extremely well. - -The enemy advanced rapidly, their cavalry reached Nardal and occupied -that place without resistance. On the other flank they reached half-way -to Villatov. The ground, however, in that direction was eminently -unsuited for cavalry work, and a small body of Rudarlians held them -there successfully. - -At Viritz, their main force met with considerable resistance, as we -determined to make them bring up as large a number of troops as -possible. Our old guns were conspicuous, and in spite of their age did -considerable damage. Again we lost ground, retiring, before an -overwhelming force, some seven miles, to a range of hills where we were -heavily entrenched. We left Viritz in a hurry, leaving behind us a -number of obsolete guns carefully rendered useless; I had given them to -the Bornians as I had promised. - -They occupied Viritz, and I heard with great satisfaction that they were -congratulating themselves on the easiness with which they were -progressing. They made the fatal blunder of under-estimating an -adversary. It was what I had wished and schemed for. The concentration -of their troops at Viritz, preparatory to a final rush through to -Karena, gave us time to complete our defences on the hills, and there we -sat and waited. - -The three roads which led from Viritz to Karena, Romlitz, and Kelbna ran -through the hills at places where, strangely enough, minerals had been -found; between these roads, linking them up, were our troops. The roads -were also joined by a military road, on the side nearest to Karena. -This had been built especially for the movements of troops. - -So far they had made no use of the aeroplane which had been seen by -Carruthers, and we did not wish them to know of ours, until necessary. -Then an accident took place which might have upset our plans -considerably: my two trained aeronauts were standing together talking, -when a shell burst near them; killing one, wounding the other, and -completely smashing one of the aircraft. It was the first shell, from a -battery that had taken up a position to try and force us from our -entrenchments. As soon as this was reported to me, I rode over to see -whether something could be done, but, alas, the damaged machine was -beyond repair, even if we had had anyone to fly in it. I must confess -that the sight of the other standing there all ready for use made me -feel despondent, especially as a few minutes later we saw the Bornian -machine rise in the air from behind their line. - -I sat there impotent, and watched the accursed thing come flying -towards, and then over us. She could make her observations and we could -do nothing to prevent her. I rode a little way back still looking at -the machine, and then from behind me I heard a cheer, a wild -exhilarating sound which caused me to turn again quickly. Our own -aeroplane was just rising from the ground. I stared in astonishment. I -had no idea that anyone could fly amongst my officers, whoever it was -should reap a rich reward. Then one of my aides-de-camp came towards me -at a gallop. - -"Who is on that?" I asked with a wave of my hand to the ascending -machine. - -"Monsieur Carruthers, your Majesty." - -Rupert! and I never knew that he could fly. It did not surprise me, -however, it was just the kind of thing which he would enjoy. - -My heart beat rapidly as I watched his machine ascending higher and -higher; what did he intend to do? I was not left long in doubt, for he -soon started in pursuit of the Bornian. They disappeared into the -clouds which rolled low over the hills behind us. The Bornian evidently -knew that he was being pursued, for in a little while they reappeared -again, like birds at first, but every minute growing bigger. It was a -race, in which the Bornian was leading. I think that nearly every man -was watching with open-mouthed astonishment. I turned my head for an -instant and lost touch with them; I no longer knew which was which. My -agitation must have passed to my horse, for he began to plunge, tearing -at the bit. - -A great cry from the soldiery, and I looked up. My God! one of them was -falling horribly--like a great wounded eagle--the other kept on its way -towards the enemy's lines. - -I almost broke down then, I know that I covered my face with my hands -and groaned; my old friend, my dear old pal, had gone. Those around me -kept silent in sympathy, for they knew how strong had been the bond -between their King and the English lord. - -I did not look any more, but motioned to some one to find out all he -could of the catastrophe. This was no time for private grief. -Carruthers had given his life for me, and now we must fight to preserve -our own. - -There was a depressed feeling among the troops, the failure of our -aeroplanes had dampened them, I think they regarded it as a bad omen. I -turned to give an order, and saw on my aide's face a look of supreme -astonishment. - -"Look, your Majesty, he's coming back." - -I looked. What an extraordinary thing, for what reason would he return? -And then the men began to shout, wildly, and I knew the reason: it was -our machine that was returning; it had been the Bornian who had come to -the ground. - -It was as if the sun had suddenly shone out, on every face there was a -smile, and gone, for ever, the feeling of depression. - -It was one of the happiest moments of my life when Carruthers came to -report on his trip over Viritz. I felt inclined literally to hug him, -but had to be content with his salute. - -His report was satisfactory. - -All that day the artillery fire was kept up with but small loss to us, -and night fell. - -I had instructed the gunners to cease firing, to make it appear as -though some of them had been put out of action, and so little by little -our fire had slackened. So far the forts had not spoken. - -Anyone on the look out that night would have seen three rockets soar -into the sky over Karena; they were very important, but the enemy did -not know that such was the case. As it was, they conveyed a message to -General von Quarovitch. - -And then morning came, and with it the attack. A tremendous bombardment -for some two hours, which did little damage, as our men had literally -dug themselves in, and then the infantry advanced; a feeble fire met -them until within a few hundred yards, and then they were simply swept -away. No human beings could have withstood that rain of fire, and they -fled back, while all the time our cavalry hung upon their flanks -creating further panic among them. - -Again their artillery opened fire, and this time our forts came into -action; the roar of their big guns must have awakened the Bornians to -the terrible position, especially as they must have heard, about that -time, that Quarovitch had cut right across their communications with -some fifteen thousand men. He had carried out his part with consummate -skill, and was then entrenched in a strong position south of Melanov. - -I think General von Brote, realising his position, thought that his only -chance lay in breaking through on the Karena road. Perhaps he imagined -that we were in less force than we were. I don't know, but anyhow he -tried the impossible. - -A few miles east of the Karena road, there was a break in the hills, and -it was this way that General von Brote thought to turn our flank. I -cannot understand his reasoning, for he must have known that it was -extremely unlikely that we should have left such a way open, especially -as it was cavalry country; but I can only suppose that he still did not -realise that we were thoroughly prepared. - -I have said it was cavalry country, so it was, right up to the break, -and on the other side towards Yungben, but the break itself was rather -an extraordinary piece of ground. - -Right across the whole width, which at the greatest was some three -miles, were strewn immense boulders, some singly, others arranged in -heaps for some hundred yards, only in the centre was there a space of -about half a mile free from them. Instead of the boulders a narrow -stream ran across. It was a stream which watered the plains round -Yungben, twisting and winding in a most weird fashion. In time of rain, -it sometimes flooded the fields around, but now it ran steadily and -calmly, little dreaming, if streams can dream, of the horrible sights it -was to see before many hours had passed, or of the dead bodies of man -and beast with which its clear waters were to be choked. - -In order to make this break as impregnable as I could, without showing -any great signs, I had constructed a low, barbed wire entanglement on -the Yungben side of the stream; this entanglement, although low, was -fifty yards wide; behind that again, I had rifle pits dug, but instead -of banking up the earth it was scattered over the ground. Besides this -I had placed a battery of horse artillery on either flank, while the -line of boulders was also guarded with entanglements and maxims; -altogether we had some three thousand troops guarding that spot. The -guns, and the men, were concealed behind bushes and small trees, as well -as the masses of rock, some hundred men only being on view. - -Against this defence, there were some five thousand of the enemy. -Relying upon the reports of their scouts, who had been misled by the -small number of our men to be seen, their cavalry swept forward. They -were too far from their supports, their artillery was unable to come -into action, on account of their forward movement. They swept on -blindly, trusting to sweep away the little force opposed to them. Our -men opened fire at two thousand yards, they did some damage but not -enough even to make them think; they rode on and on, the nearer they -got, the more men they lost. - -They were within one hundred yards of the stream, when the rest of our -infantry came into action. It must have been appalling, although even -then they struggled to get to close quarters, but the stream held them, -the entanglements held them, and all the while death was poured from the -barrels of our rifles and maxim guns; what was left of them turned and -fled. Their artillery opened, but, before they could get the range, our -batteries replied, and we had our ranges marked. They retired. It will -never be known how many men they lost, for the remnant of that force was -engulfed in the ruin that had overtaken the main bodies. - -Our right wing advanced, joining the two thousand men who had been -posted on the Villatov road. General von Brote massed his guns and men -on the Karena road; our left advanced. He hurled regiment after -regiment at our front, they were mown down by the hundred. As night -fell he retreated to Viritz, and our whole line advanced. His cavalry on -the left wing, at Nardal, were called in. There they rested for the -night, but with earliest dawn our attack commenced. Hemmed in on all -sides, they fought like lions, but it was unavailing. Then they tried -to retreat still farther, and Quarovitch held them. It was the end. -Without a single chance of success, they fought on, although three times -I sent a white flag with a message to Brote, asking him to refrain from -further useless bloodshed. He was resolved to die rather than -surrender. He did die, and then what was left of his army threw down -their weapons. - -Of the thirty-five thousand men who had entered Rudarlia through -Melanov, only seventeen thousand surrendered, the rest had been killed, -wounded, or were already prisoners. - -Their surprise, to which they had evidently looked to end the war -quickly, had failed utterly. Our northern frontier was now safe, and I -could throw most of our men to the relief of Avilinoff. We had lost -altogether some four thousand men in killed and wounded. I left eleven -thousand to clear up the scattered Bornians, and guard the frontier and -prisoners, the other twenty-five thousand I hurried south. Many of them -had not been in the firing line at all, so they were perfectly fresh, -and brim-full of enthusiasm and eagerness to come to grips with the foe. - -In order to avoid any delay--which would have been almost inevitable had -we returned through Karena--I, with my aides, motored through Romlitz to -Agrade. There I stayed for only one day. Scutane was delighted to hear -that the extra troops were on the way down, as he said that Avilinoff -had been rather hard pressed at Milova, but that now he was in a good -position to defend that place. Accordingly, I left for Avilinoff's -head-quarters immediately. - -It was evident that the enemy had counted on the success of their -northern attack, as they had not hastened, rather luckily for us, for -Avilinoff's army was sadly outnumbered, both in men and guns. - -He had done grand work, his retreats were as orderly as parades, which -spoke well for the troops under his command. I found that his army had -occupied a strong position extending from Nadir on the left, to Pinofska -on the right. So far, not a single Bornian had managed to cross the -Loina. Now, however, when the news from the north became known, there -was new vigour put into both armies. The Bornians at once realised that -their dawdling methods would not succeed, and, also, they were spurred -to try and blot out the disaster at Viritz. - -The Rudarlians, in their turn, were more resolved than ever to beat back -their enemy; success dispelled all the bad effects of a tedious retreat. - -Success was an excellent tonic, yet it could not equalise the opposing -forces, although every day saw that inequality grow less, as trainload -after trainload of fresh troops poured into Agrade and Milova; but the -greatest thing for us was the fact that the artillery became more of a -strength. - -For four days the position underwent no change, in spite of some -vigorous attacks, both by night and day. On the fifth day we lost -Nadir, through a brilliant flanking attack of the enemy's cavalry. There -is no doubt that we were completely surprised, as we had never believed -for one minute that they would have attempted the road from Alzar to -Drenda, with any considerable force. Our troops, guarding the narrow -road through the hills south-east of Nadir, were easily disposed of and -taken in the rear; Nadir became untenable. We fell back to Lortrun, a -move which considerably weakened our left wing, by lengthening it. -However, it now rested safely at the extreme end, for our rear was -guarded by the Drenda marshes, across which I knew it was impossible to -move troops. - -Our position was not satisfactory, so I sent word to Quarovitch to bring -every available man to Agrade. By this time the north was quiet and he -brought six thousand with him. Two thousand of these were cavalry. The -same night that he arrived, he came to meet me, and, with Avilinoff, we -worked for some hours on a scheme which I had thought of. - -We strengthened our left wing with some twenty thousand men, some -straight from Agrade to Vilt, the others, by way of Roltov across the -Loina to Lortrun. Five thousand men were sent to hold Butrem and the -road to Milova; while another five thousand were dispatched to -strengthen the right flank, and entrench from Trun to Atar, and from -Trun to the mountains on the west of Pinofska. - -While these movements were being carried out, the Bornians were by no -means idle, but pushed their attacks strongly. More than once it seemed -that our line would be pierced, but, thanks to our artillery, which -prevented them from crossing the Loina, we managed to hold our ground. - -The fierceness of their attack really stood us in good stead, for it -enabled us to carry out our plans without showing our hand. - -Under the guise of a forced retirement, we drew back to the new lines we -had prepared. From the mountains by Pinofska our line ran in a double -curve to Butrem; there it stopped, and both sides of the Loina were left -undefended as far as Vilt, from whence our line ran to Lortrun. - -Imagining that we were in retreat, and seeking to cut in behind Milova, -they hurled their forces across and straddled the Loina; in this way, -they, in their turn split their line, but not to their advantage, for in -order to advance on the northern bank they were obliged to mass their -troops in a narrow strip of land, not wide enough for them to manoeuvre -in properly. - -When they had crossed, and were engaged in a fierce attack on Vilt, our -forces moved out from Lortrun. By sheer weight of numbers we regained -Nadir and the Drenda road. - -We entrenched ourselves well along the Nadir-Vilt road, and for two days -repulsed every attack made by the Bornians. Then, when they had -exhausted themselves in vain, we in our turn advanced, doubling their -right wing back upon itself, by a series of brilliant bayonet charges, -which drove them headlong from their trenches. Then, while they were in -disorder, our cavalry got to work. I had collected a large force in -Nadir, and fresh, with high spirits, they were irresistible, sweeping -all before them. At the same time, we allowed Pinofska to go, retiring -eastward to defend Agrade and leaving open the road to Kelbna. - -It was apparently too tempting a bait to be refused, and they weakened -their centre to reinforce their left. It was only owing to this that we -dared to drive their right in the way we did, and that was eminently -satisfactory; for, driven back on themselves in hopeless confusion, they -united with their other forces south of Butrem, not in a strong line -capable of defence, but in an indescribable state of tangle. In many -places along the Loina, their forces would be trying to cross the river -at the same time, but in different directions. We drove them from -Farnov, and then the remnant of their right wing fell back to try and -defend their communications with Lorif. - -We captured a tremendous mass of war material, guns and prisoners, as it -was impossible, owing to the rapidity of our movements, for the forces -on the northern bank of the Loina to recross and get away in time. - -The crumpling of their right wing necessitated the drawing in of their -left, so they did not progress far beyond Pinofska; and little by little -we drove them back from there until we reoccupied our old lines across -the Kelbna road. - -We now had an undoubted superiority in all arms, as well as a greater -number of men; but, try how we would, for some days we could not make -any real progress beyond the Pinofska-Trun-Farnov line. - -Each day I rode or motored along this line to hold conversations with -the different generals, and to encourage the wounded; the actual -fighting men did not need encouragement, they were brim-full of zeal and -confidence. - -It was during this period that I was delivered from that enemy of mine, -Prince Alexis. - -Between Trun and Atar the road is of an intensely beautiful nature, -presenting many different kinds of scenery, well wooded in places, with -gentle slopes running down to small streams which feed the Loina, while -always to the north rose the mountains. The road itself rises and falls -with delightful frequency, from an artistic point of view, although I -doubt if the farmers who live in the vicinity, or their horses, really -appreciate it. On the top of one of these inclines the road was -bisected by a cart track, and in order to obtain a view over the -surrounding country I had turned off along this track, accompanied by -Woolgast, Scutane, and some dozen troopers. - -It was soon after daybreak, and we were returning from Pinofska, where I -had slept the night before. I do not know quite how it happened, but, on -attempting to retrace our steps, we discovered that our way was blocked -by some fifty of the enemy's cavalry. It was extremely lucky for us -that we saw them before they saw us, for it gave us time to get speed on -our horses. To charge was the only thing for us to do, and we struck -them hard; in a few seconds we were through them, all save two of the -troopers who had been shot down. We raced for the road, with the -Bornians hard at our heels. We could hear from their cries, that they -knew I was of the party and it made them redouble their efforts to -overtake us; they kept up a fusillade of revolver shots, but fortunately -without effect. - -Our horses fairly flew along that muddy track, but, quickly as we went, -the Bornians were as quick, and as we turned into the Trun road they -were a very little way behind. In their eagerness to capture me, they -must have forgotten that all the time we were approaching our lines, for -they never slackened their pace, and in consequence ran into the arms of -a regiment of Rudarlian cavalry at the foot of the hill. - -It was over very quickly, they had the discretion to surrender at once, -with one exception. This one had, either through his horse, or for -other reasons, ridden well behind his comrades, but he could not hope to -escape by turning back up the hill, so instead, he made a dash for -liberty, by jumping the bank which bordered the road towards the enemy's -lines. I heard Woolgast give a grunt, and the next moment he had -followed. - -I sprang from my horse and stood on the higher ground looking after him. -The ground over which he was riding sloped gently down to a stream -below, on the other side of which the ground rose again and was well -wooded, not with big trees, but small brushwood. Woolgast was at full -charge after the flying Bornian, it was a magnificent sight to see the -two horses stretching out, the one flying, the other in pursuit. The -pursued turned in his saddle and fired, Woolgast swerved a little but -kept on, ever drawing nearer. Some three lengths from the stream, he -overtook the Bornian; we saw his sword flash once, and the enemy dropped -from his horse. Then Woolgast, unable to stop his, urged him to the -jump, and, slowly returning, jumped the stream again, and alighted. He -walked up to the Bornian's body--which made a light blue patch among the -stubble--and then reeled suddenly over on to the top of him. - -He was not seriously hurt, thank God, but simply in a faint. When we -turned the dead Bornian, so that we could see his face--it was Prince -Alexis. - -I confess that I felt relief at his death, he was so degraded that there -was nothing he would not have stooped to do. I might have felt sorrow -at the death of an ordinary enemy, but in the case of Alexis, no--simply -relief. - -Woolgast was evidently disturbed in his mind as to the consequence of -his action, for he sent me word that he craved an audience. - -He was in a state of feverish excitement, for the wound, although not -severe, was a painful one. - -"Well, General?" I said. - -"There is something I wish to tell your Majesty. It is this: I called to -the Prince to surrender, before and after he shot me." - -"Quite so, General, and you did right; you also did right in cutting him -down when he refused. You did both Rudarlia and myself a good service -in killing him." - -He heaved a sigh of relief. - -"Thank God, your Majesty, I did not know----" - -"What I should feel about it? Well, you know now, and can sleep in -peace; but be quick in recovering, for I need you." - -I had become genuinely fond of Woolgast. He was a man whom I had a -great admiration for; and, seeing that he was generally near me, I had a -good many opportunities of discovering his worth. I know that he was -devoted to me. - -To return to the main battle. For a week or more the fighting continued -without advantage to either side, at least, neither the Bornians nor -ourselves were able to say that we had definitely advanced our lines. -There could be no doubt, however, that our artillery did much damage, -although not sufficient to allow us to assault their positions. - -It was necessary that we should break through their line somewhere, but -the difficult question was where and how to do it. - -We had smashed their right flank by stratagem; we had split our force in -two to do this. We would now do the same thing on our right, that is to -say we would give up the bridge of Atar. - -I had explained thus far to the generals, when General von Scutane said: - -"But, your Majesty, they will not bite twice at the same bait." - -"I should be sorry if they did, General, for it would not be what I -wish. I believe that they will think that we intend to advance our -flanks. I am trusting to them weakening their centre, for I intend to -strike hard for Villet." - -"Then you propose to hold the Kelbna road from Trun through Pinofska, -and then from Blanne to Farnov?" - -"That is my idea; and, in order to confirm them in the opinion that we -intend flanking movements, we will move troops from Milova to Trun and -Farnov by day, and move them back again at night. We must do everything -we can to strengthen their belief that we wish to repeat the plan which -succeeded so well on our left. If necessary, our flanks must fall -back." - -"It is a scheme full of danger, your Majesty." - -"And also full of possibilities." - -"Yes, your Majesty, of defeat as well as of success." - -"That I refuse to consider, although we will take all precautions -against such a thing. However, I do not press my scheme if anyone can -suggest a better. You must remember that time is flying and the -Bornians can bring two recruits to our one, while their line of -communications from Ruln is not long, and so they have not very great -difficulties in regard to transport." - -That was the stratagem adopted, and the movements of our troops for the -next two days puzzled even our own men. There is no doubt that the -enemy were puzzled too, but they took the situation in the way that we -wished. - -We decided not to evacuate Atar, which--as I had foreseen--they did not -bite at. - -When both our flanks were hotly engaged, our forward movement in the -centre began. It was a costly effort, but it succeeded. - -We got them on the run and kept them so, driving a wedge right through -the centre of their line towards Villet. It was their left wing which -suffered this time from the Loina--that was a fateful river for them. -We drove them out of Villet itself, and then began the most terrible -struggle of the war, for that small town was life or death to them. -Three times they took it, and as many times we drove them out again, -each time with greater ease, for every hour saw our position improve, as -we concentrated our artillery. Then they found that Villet was lost to -them for ever; it was a fact that they realised with difficulty. - -But, once they did so, the end came quickly. Cut off from Lorif, their -only way of escape back to Bornia, they surrendered in masses. The -remainder of their army withdrew sullenly towards their frontier. They -conducted their retreat in fairly good order. - -Had we liked, we could have utterly crushed them, but we refrained from -pressing too closely upon their rearguard for two reasons: we did not -wish to sacrifice the lives of our troops needlessly, and the Bornians -were hopelessly beaten. I daresay it was wrong not to drive them with -all our might, I'm sure that the military text-books would say so, but I -was only a civilian after all. - -I had sent, as soon as we could spare the troops, a column into Garace, -that province which had been lost to us for so long. - -They met with little opposition, for the Bornian forces there were very -scanty and quite without enterprise, or enthusiasm. - -Before we had finished there, almost before the beaten remnant had left -Lorif, Bornia sued for peace. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIV* - - -Bornia sued for peace; they could do nothing else, for they were -hopelessly beaten both by land and sea. - -Prince Kleber had been busy with the Bornians on the water, and the -_Soctia_ had made a great name for herself; a large number of prizes -were now in the harbour of Soctia, and she had successfully carried on a -vigorous warfare with the Bornian Navy. - -Prince Kleber had done much to facilitate our progress in Garace, -especially at Bustelov, where the Bornians were well fortified; it was -largely owing to the clever co-operation of the navy that our troops -occupied that place without a prolonged siege. - -The only time that Rudarlian troops entered Bornia, was the day when -peace was declared; then a small number escorted the signatories, for a -mile, to their side of the frontier. - -So completely were the Bornians beaten that, in spite of the moral -support of certain great powers, they accepted our terms at once; well -they might, for they were, considering, very moderate: the evacuation of -Garace, and a certain sum as war indemnity were the two chief items. - -We had no wish to exasperate a badly beaten enemy; nor did we wish to -claim territorial aggrandisement beyond the recovery of our one-time -province of Garace. - -It has always seemed to me to be bad policy to demand too much from a -beaten adversary, excepting when that enemy is dangerous to the peace of -the world, or, indeed, of your nation; for, unless the necessity is -great, a beaten opponent should be treated with consideration. But -there are cases, no doubt, when it is expedient to destroy completely a -nation's power to do harm in the future. - -It seemed that, with the end of the war, a better understanding at once -began between the two countries; perhaps the fighting was like the -old-fashioned remedy of blood-letting. - -It is impossible to describe the feelings of joy and pride with which I -thought of Rudarlia and the Rudarlians; they had proved themselves so -splendid, and now that the war had been carried to a successful -conclusion I hoped that economic conditions would begin to improve and -the prosperity of the country be assured. - -I will confess to certain day-dreams in that respect, and obtained quite -a lot of pleasure from them. - -As soon as peace was declared, the inhabitants of Rudarlia began to show -their joy; and it was overwhelming, even in the most out-of-the-way -villages the poorest of the people held marvellous celebrations. - -I think the most trying time of my whole life was during my visits to -all parts of Rudarlia. I thought that I should never have any pleasure -in speaking again, for in every corner of my country it was thought -necessary to hand me addresses. - -In Garace, the people were almost crazy with joy at having thrown off -the Bornian bonds, and being under the Rudarlian flag again. - -Although this time was, as I have said, most trying, yet it was -inspiring and certainly satisfactory; I defy even the most cold-blooded -person to listen to a nation's cheers, without feeling a deep glow of -pleasure. I, personally, do not attempt to deny that it pleased me, for -it meant that I had made good. - -A great number of months passed before the nation settled down to their -normal lives; and the time of the officials, from King to Mayor, was -taken up in the many duties that fell upon them. - -Perhaps the most hard-worked people of all were the doctors and nurses, -for the hospitals were full, and I would not have any man turned away -without being absolutely cured of his wounds, if such a thing were -possible. Those whose wounds rendered them unfit for further military -service received a plot of land, or, if they chose, a sum of money. - -Then there were the honours and rewards to be settled, the various -recompenses for farms and homesteads destroyed in the war, and a -thousand and one things beside. - -Upon Carruthers, who had been of incalculable value to us through his -airwork, I bestowed the Cross of Rudarlia, an honour of which he was -intensely proud, in spite of his assurances to the contrary. Much as I -should have liked him to stop in Rudarlia, I did not press him when he -came to bid me good-bye, for I knew that he would have his work cut out -to explain matters to the authorities in England. I was convinced, -however, that he would do it quite successfully, for he had a most -engaging way of getting himself out of scrapes. - -General von Quarovitch had received a substantial grant from the -Government to enable him to uphold his new rank, for I had made him -Count. He was also given a command of more importance than the frontier, -and so he was often in Karena. In fact, he was now as much sought after -as before he had been neglected; but he took his sudden popularity very -grimly, which caused me huge enjoyment. His treatment of the fair sex -was a never failing source of delight; they called him bearish, but -devoted themselves to him. - -I had also made Woolgast a Count, and I do not think that there were -many to sneer at his new rank. He had quite recovered from the wound -given him by Alexis; and was now, as usual, always at my side. - -He was a man who never asked for any favour, either for himself or his -family; he was as devoted to me as anyone could be, and it was his -delight to accompany me in command of the escort wherever I went. I -always made a point of taking an escort of my regiment of guards, for I -believed the people loved to see the white and gold of their uniforms, -and to know that their King rode or drove among them with regal pomp and -glory. The Rudarlians, in that respect, were rather barbaric in their -tastes; and yet, I am not sure that it is not a good thing to keep alive -the love of show, I believe it really brightens the lives of the people, -who so often live in dull monotony. I myself confess to a certain -quickening of the pulses at sight of martial pomp, and also when I hear -the jingling music of a cavalry regiment. There is something fine and -inspiring in the sight of a number of men splendidly upright and strong, -moving together as though one man, and to realise that they are prepared -to give their lives for an ideal--for the love of country is nothing -else. I have heard it said that an ideal will move men to acts of -greater heroism than any fact; it may be so, but I always look upon an -ideal as a mental fact in itself, so I can hardly argue the point. - -I shall never forget the first time I dined privately after the war. -There were just four of us, my mother, Prince Zeula, Mr. Neville, and -myself, and we had old Bauen up to wait upon us. I wanted to feel -absolutely free to say what I would without feeling that there might be -one of the servants listening. - -It was quite like old times, yet not so very old, only a few years, but -years so full of incident that each seemed to have multiplied itself by -ten. In those few years I had changed from a boy into a man, from a -commoner into a king; and it may safely be surmised that such changes -must have a considerable effect on anyone. - -They were rich years for me to look back upon and so full of mental, and -perhaps moral wealth, that I was almost fearful of their effect upon me. -I was afraid that I should lose my youth before the time, that manhood's -cares would sap the joy of life within me, and, by so doing, injure the -power I had to feel and sympathise with the many defects in human -nature. - -My mother, to whom I had spoken of this, agreed that it might be so with -some people, but not in my case. A remark which was so intensely human -in its mother feeling, that I laughed and said no more. - -This dinner _à quatre_ was very enjoyable. We seemed to forget for a -while that we were really people of importance in our world, and we -laughed and joked with all the old-time zest, and perhaps more; never -since my accession had we been so gay and cheerful. Zeula, who seemed -to grow younger each month, had a wonderful collection of anecdotes, and -his wit was great. - -We might have been a party on the stage playing some clever farce, for -the conversation never flagged, and even I was witty, which was unusual, -since I have never possessed real gifts in that line, although I have, -thank God, a sense of humour. - -It did me good to look at the three faces I loved so well, and listen to -the conversation, noting the difference in their trends of thought. - -Zeula, brilliant, polished. - -Mr. Neville, dry, rather caustic. - -My mother, intensely feminine. - -They made, however, a very good combination, and a subject was dissected -very thoroughly by the three. - -Towards the end of the meal, the topics of conversation became more -personal, bearing more directly on the future of Rudarlia. - -It was at this point that I began to feel a rather comic uneasiness, for -my instinct told me that before long some remark would lead up to the -subject of my marriage, and I knew that Zeula would be responsible for -it, as he was wrapped up in the subject. - -I was not mistaken, for he made a remark about a King without heirs. My -mother glanced at me quickly. I deliberately winked at Mr. Neville, who -laughed outright. - -"So, Prince," said I, "you have thrown your bomb." - -"I awaited a fitting opportunity, your Majesty." - -"Pray forget ceremony," murmured my mother. - -"Then, Mr. Smith," said I, with a grimace, "you have given me -indigestion." - -"I did not ask you to bolt your food, Victor." - -"Meaning?" - -"That there is no particular hurry." - -"For a week or two," chimed in Mr. Neville, and set us all laughing. - -Although we laughed at first, it was only at first, for the question was -an extremely important one, both for myself and Rudarlia. I knew that -it was imperative that I should marry, and I also realised that the time -had come to think seriously about it, and incidentally to find the wife. - -"I understand that my position is one of some uncertainty, that you wish -me to marry and have heirs, but the question which puzzles me is, who am -I to marry?" - -"There will not be any difficulty in that, Victor." - -"And yet I do not see in which direction to look, for I can hardly hope, -as King of a small kingdom like Rudarlia, to ally myself with any of the -great powers." - -"Perhaps you have already thought of some one; I confess that I find it -difficult myself." - -"Yes, I have thought of one. It will most probably come as a great -surprise when you hear where I propose to look for a wife, but I have -looked at the question from every point of view, and it seems to me that -I had better marry a Princess of--Bornia." - -As I had surmised, the suggestion surprised them; I do not think the -possibility of it had once struck them. They were silent for some -little time as though pondering on what I had said, only Mr. Neville -looked at me quizzically, my mother and Zeula keeping their eyes turned -from mine. The latter was the first to speak: - -"I had not thought of that, Victor; will you tell us your reasons?" - -"Oh yes, I have thought a great deal about our relations with our late -foe, and it seems to me that such a marriage as I suggest would do much -to remove the bitterness that there undoubtedly is between the two -nations. That is my first reason. The second is, that if all the -Bornian Princesses married Germans or Austrians, as the odds are they -would, there would be endless friction between our nations, whereas, if -I marry one of them, the influence will not be so one-sided. My third -reason is not so realisable, but it may come true. It is an imaginary -condition which circumstances may bring about, therefore it can hardly -be looked upon as a real reason, and I was wrong to so describe it; I -will, however, tell you that it was a dream which united the two -kingdoms under one monarch. There is little real difference between the -two races, and who knows what the future may bring forth?" - -"Two of your reasons are excellent, Victor, and the third is within the -range of possibilities." - -"Have you seen photographs of the Bornian Princesses?" asked Mr. -Neville. - -"Very indifferent ones, and without knowing one from the other." - -"And which do you propose offering your hand to?" - -"I do not know yet, I therefore suggest that a trip to Bornia would be -an admirable thing, so that I may see them first." - -"Eh?" - -"Yes, the week after next I propose going for a walking tour through -Garace, and will visit Sonale. I shall not be known in Bornia's -capital--I will shave off my moustache. I shall have a good time, -ascertain the public feeling towards the said Princesses, also I shall -see them." - -"That sounds quite an attractive programme," said Mr. Neville, smiling. -"May I ask whether it is your intention to go alone?" - -"Not if I can induce you to accompany me. If you will, my mother's mind -will be made easy, Prince Zeula will not insist upon a regiment in mufti -accompanying me, and I--well, you know that I shall be pleased." - -"I will go with the greatest pleasure." - -"Then we will call it settled." - -"Do you think it wise, Victor?" asked my mother. - -"It may not be the essence of wisdom, yet it will give me a little -feeling of romance." - -Zeula laughed. - -"Will you carry a lute with you to serenade the Princesses, and a shield -with a flaming heart as device?" - -"Make the musical instrument a lyre, it would most probably serve a -fuller purpose," said I, "but I daresay you all realise and understand -what I mean, and if you don't I am ashamed of you." - -"Of course we do; but never forget to go out without your revolver, -there is more than one Goltz in the world." - -"That was a lesson I have not forgotten, nor do I wish it repeated; and, -to get away from unpleasant topics, would you all like a game of -bridge?" - -We played two rubbers; my partner and I did not score a game. - -"Remembering the old saying, you ought to be very lucky in love," said -Mr. Neville. - - - - - *CHAPTER XV* - - -Mr. Neville and I were enjoying ourselves immensely. We were both glad -to be relieved from the cares and worries of Court ceremonies; both glad -of a holiday; pleased to be able to tramp through the dusty lanes, free -to sleep where we would, eat and drink what and when we felt inclined. - -We talked of everything while tramping, or resting, as the case might -be, with the sky blue above us, or heavy with great masses of cloud; and -breathed in the fresh buoyant air of the Garacian mountains, or the -warmer, milder air of the valleys; and forgot, or pretended to, for a -little while, that we were people who mattered. - -I daresay we both talked too much; perhaps all we said was not of the -wisest; but, unfettered, we chatted like schoolboys. I doubt if there -was ever so perfect a companion as Mr. Neville: he seemed to know -exactly the mood you were in, and to be able to broach a subject of -conversation suited to it. - -Of my marriage, or rather the idea of it, we spoke but little. From -what I told him, he gathered that my mind was made up on the point that -I must marry, and the sooner the better. - -Garace was a magnificent province; and visiting it as we did gave us a -very clear idea of why the Rudarlians had been so pleased at its -recovery. - -Wherever we went, the fields and pastures gave evidence of great -fertility; they were well watered, too; but the roads were terribly bad, -and one could well understand that the farmers found great difficulty in -handling their produce. It struck us that the Bornians had no -particular reason to boast of the way they had governed the province. - -It had not been my intention to waste all the time we were on our -holiday, and so Mr. Neville and I made many notes, and discussed many -plans dealing with the country through which we passed. Then at night we -went carefully over these, and gave them fuller discussion before -finally sending them to Karena. - -The Minister to whom they were sent was thankful enough for any -assistance in what was rather an arduous task. - -We had been ten days on our wanderings before we reached Bornia, and -then by a terribly bad road over the mountains. We slept out that -night, and the next day dined at Stranz, a little town two or three -miles from the frontier. I should say we ate there, since the only food -available was castradina--the smoked mutton which the peasants love--a -coarse white cheese, and cakes or loaves of maize. Plain, very plain; -food, but not a dinner. - -Had we walked any distance that morning, we should no doubt have been -ready to declare the eatables fit for a king; but, as it was, we had -only progressed two or three miles. A delightfully mossy bank by the -side of a little mountain stream had enticed us to sit and sit, and keep -on sitting, or rather sprawling; hour after hour we had sat there -talking and smoking, until we decided that we had lazed long enough, and -sauntered down to the so-called inn. I remember we chaffed each other -about want of appetite. - -Having paid an exorbitant sum for a practically uneaten meal, we -refilled our pipes, and went out again into the sunshine. - -Stranz boasted of one street, with some two hundred houses in all; the -sun, blazing down on the white walls of these, tired the eyes, -especially as every movement of one's feet caused a cloud of dust to -ascend. At the end of the street farthest from the inn stood the -church, and I went in to say a few words to the priest and leave a small -sum with him to be spent in charity. - -The worthy man would, I know, have liked me to stay a while with him, to -discuss everyday affairs; but it was time for us to be moving on, so I -said good-bye and stepped out to Mr. Neville. - -I found him staring down the road at two figures on horseback who were -approaching at a good pace. - -"Shall we stay and see them go past, Victor?" - -"Yes, they may be interesting." - -In a few minutes they passed, a lady and her groom; that was all I had -time to notice, for I was more interested in the horses than their -riders. They could not have been more than two lengths away from where -we were standing, when from the other end of the street came a crowd of -people yelling terribly. The hurricane of cries frightened the lady's -horse, which reared, slipped, and came down; the groom's horse became -unmanageable, got the bit between its teeth and bolted. - -Through the dust we could see the crowd of men, women, and children -flying towards us, and after them a single man foaming at the mouth. - -"My God, he's mad!" said Mr. Neville. - -The crowd scattered in every direction, some through open doorways, some -even through windows, all scrambling and pushing to get out of the way -of this terrible being. As he came nearer, I could see that he was -dressed as a gentleman, and that he carried a rapier in his hand. A -moment later he used it, for a child, terrified, ran across the road, -the madman lunged in passing, and the poor little thing fell into the -gutter. - -We had been so amazed at the suddenness of this scene that we had -remained standing where we were. The street was empty now, save for the -lady who was standing horrified in the middle of the road, the fallen -horse, the still, small body in the gutter, the madman, and ourselves. - -Perhaps the wounding of the child had caused the madman to pause in his -mad rush, for now, bent almost double, he was creeping towards the still -motionless figure of the lady, who suddenly turned, and with a little -scream of fear ran towards us. - -Her face was white, and her two dark eyes were turned imploringly to us, -as though she knew that we could save her from this awful man. - -At the same moment both Mr. Neville and I jumped forward to bar his way. -I carried a stout stick, Mr. Neville had none; luckily the man lunged at -me, for I was enabled to turn his point with my stick. Over the -madman's face there stole a look of really malevolent cunning. I -believe, then, he fancied in his poor, disordered mind that he was -fighting a duel. - -"Careful, Victor!" I heard Mr. Neville say. - -"All right, I am going to try to disarm him; be ready to seize him if I -succeed." - -I spoke in English, so that the man, even if he had any glimmering of -reason, would in all probability not understand. - -It was quite extraordinary to me that any man as mad as he could fight -with so much skill; perhaps the madness lent him additional craftiness, -but he must have been a fine swordsman when sane. As it was, he gave me -more to do than any man I have ever fought with, and more than once came -near wounding me; but I got him into the position I wanted and disarmed -him, his sword flying through the window of a house near by. - -As the weapon left his hand, Mr. Neville's arms were round him, and in a -few seconds he was bound and helpless. - -My first thought was for the child; he was not dead, but the rapier had -inflicted a nasty wound in his shoulder. However, as he was in the -capable hands of his mother, who evidently possessed the knowledge of -how to treat wounds of the less serious nature, I turned away relieved. - -I found the lady by my side, and one of the most musical voices that I -have ever heard gave me thanks. - -"Ah, monsieur, how can I ever thank you and your friend enough?" - -I felt that I was blushing furiously--quite ridiculously--why, I have no -idea, as it was not common to me. My companion told me afterwards that -I stammered like a schoolboy and looked as awkward. - -"Madame--mademoiselle----" - -"Not both, monsieur, only the latter." - -"Mademoiselle, it was nothing, there was little danger to me." - -"It was the bravest deed I have ever seen, in spite of your desire to -belittle it, and I thank you again." - -Until now I had not really looked at her, but my mind seemed to clear -suddenly, and I knew her rather than saw her. I find it hard to recall -my first impressions, I realised that strictly speaking she was not -beautiful, yet she was beautiful. Whether it was the expression, or -subtle emanations from a beautiful soul, I cannot say, but that is what -I think. I was absorbed, confused by the strength of her personality. I -do not suppose it would affect all people in the same way, perhaps it -answered to similar strata in my own. - -It was with an effort that I returned to what had occurred, and to what -she had said. - -"Mademoiselle, I belittled it, as I have the advantage of being a good -swordsman. My companion, who stood by unarmed, was far more worthy of -commendation." - -"I have already tried to thank him." She smiled, and I noticed that her -teeth were adorable. "He is English, I think, and it is so difficult to -thank Englishmen properly--they always seem ashamed of doing anything -brave." - -"That is so; but your horse, mademoiselle, is, I am afraid, in rather a -bad way." - -We walked over to where the animal now stood. I bent to examine the -strained fetlock, while his mistress stroked his nose and talked to him -encouragingly. - -"It is quite impossible to ride him," I said, looking up. - -"Oh dear! and it is most unlikely that there will be another horse in -this place." - -"But your groom, surely he will return soon?" - -"I doubt it, and even if he were to, I could not ride his horse, as it -is practically unbroken." - -"Then," said Mr. Neville, who had rejoined us, "we must get you some -kind of conveyance, unless you live within walking distance." - -"The walking would be less painful, monsieur, from what I know of the -carriages in this part of the country." - -"You could rest here at the inn," I said. - -"Could they give me something to eat, do you think?" She looked at our -faces and laughed gaily. "No, that were too much to expect; then I must -walk, if only for the sake of the work these good people neglect while -we remain here." - -There were certainly more people interested in us than the occasion -merited, and there was a curious open-mouthed look about most of them. - -"Mademoiselle will accept our escort?" - -"Gladly, monsieur, if I do not take you out of your way." - -"All ways are the same to us, save the one we shall travel in your -company." - -"And that will be atrocious." - -"Impossible," said Mr. Neville. - -"Then come; but first let me give orders about my horse, and for my -groom when he returns." - -It only took a few minutes to arrange these things and to gather up our -belongings; and we started. I stopped for a few minutes at the house -where the wounded child lay and gave his mother a coin or two to pay for -necessities, as I had seen the poverty of the place. I also stopped for -a moment to say a word to the priest, and ask him to look after the -child. Then I rejoined the others, who had walked slowly on. - -"Monsieur loves children?" - -"Indeed, yes." - -"Perhaps you have some of your own?" - -"I am unmarried, mademoiselle." - -We walked a little way in silence, I could feel my companion taking -stock of me. - -"Might I know the names of those to whom I am so indebted?" - -"Why, of course, how stupid of me to forget--Mr. Neville, and I am -Victor Stevens." - -"But not English, too, surely?" - -"No, I am a Rudarlian." - -"Then I ought to hate you." - -"Not so, since we are no longer enemies." - -"Nor are we friends. Ah, I wonder whether you know to what extent this -country suffers." - -"In what way, mademoiselle? I thought the terms of peace were not -ungenerous." - -"No, indeed, they were far from that, but even so the people suffer, by -the extra taxation entailed. Oh, I know that Bornia declared war, but it -was the fault of a corrupt Court, not the wish of the people." - -"That may be so, but still I do not see why there should be enmity -between the two nations; rather should the leniency of the terms of -peace augment the friendship that brave foes should have for one -another. It is not as though we had demanded part of Bornia's -territory, we merely regained our own province." - -"I know, I know! Please don't think that we are ungrateful, but it -hurts me so to think of many precious lives being lost, and so much -treasure wasted to satisfy the venom of one man." - -"You mean?" - -"Why, Prince Alexis; it is common property that he and his clique -engineered the war. He is dead, so we must speak no ill of him, but he -was at the bottom of everything. I believe it was his personal hatred -to King Victor which made him go to the lengths he did. But there, do -not let us spoil our walk, tell me of your King; you know him, perhaps?" - -"Mr. Neville has spoken to him many times," I said. - -"Oh, please tell me of him; I am afraid that he is too perfect from all -accounts." - -"You have set me a hard task, to describe him would take too much -thought for an old man, mademoiselle; but I may tell you that he is not -ugly, and possesses certain good qualities." - -"He is a good King, and--messieurs, you have told me your names, and -courteously refrained from asking me for mine. I am Princess Irma, -eldest daughter of the King of Bornia." - -"Your Royal Highness has our homage and thanks," said Mr. Neville, -bowing. - -"Ah, please no ceremony, forget my rank, and just think of me as the -girl you so bravely saved. But I had to tell you." - -As for myself, I was too astonished to say a word, my longing for -romance had indeed been answered with a vengeance; but it had placed me -in rather a queer position, for I could not now retain my incognito with -any feelings of satisfaction: it would hardly be honourable. I must -tell her, of course, but it was not the thought of that which made my -blood course so strongly through my veins, it was a gust of sheer -delight that I had at last met one whom I could treat as an equal, who -could be my companion and whom, if it was so willed, I could learn to -love. My eyes swept over her perfect figure as she turned from Mr. -Neville to me. Her carriage was magnificent, with the grace and dignity -which became a Princess, and the womanly charm and sweetness which -became her sex; her whole expression was radiant with youth and the joy -of living. - -"Princess, I must crave forgiveness for having deceived you. I told you -my name was Victor Stevens, I am----" - -"King Victor II. of Rudarlia. Your Majesty must think me strangely -obtuse, to have imagined that a shaven moustache could hide his -identity." - -And this delightful girl went off into a peal of laughter, in which -after a moment Mr. Neville and myself joined. - -"Your eyes are too keen, Princess," I said. - -"I knew your Majesty's face so well that I recognised you almost -immediately." - -"But surely we have never met before?" - -"No, but I have seen your photograph many times." - -"And I yours, but I did not know you." - -"That is hardly to be wondered at, as the Court photographers are -notorious flatterers." - -"And yet you knew me?" - -"Your Majesty is a much more important person than I, and therefore more -easily to be remembered." - -"May I ask where you are staying, Princess? There is no Royal residence -near here, is there?" - -"No, I am visiting the family of one of the ladies-in-waiting." - -"I was wondering how far we might accompany you; for, although you have -been so kind with regard to my nationality, others might be less so." - -"Prince de Sagresse is one of your Majesty's admirers; he does not -belong to the Court." - -"Then, Princess, you have no objection to our walking as far as his -gates with you?" - -"It will be a pleasure to me," she said shyly. "But will not your -Majesty come farther than the gates? The Prince would be highly -honoured." - -"I shall be delighted." - -"And Mr. Neville?" - -"Mr. Neville has given a great deal of his life to me, Princess, he -would not now interfere with my happiness." - -This sounded so like a compliment that our companion blushed slightly. -I, however, did not mean it to be such, for to me it was a great delight -to have some one of my own age, to whom I could talk naturally without -the necessary thought that I was the King. It was an experience that -was absolutely novel, and I knew that I should enjoy myself immensely. -Besides which, there was the reason for my tour to be considered, and I -confess to feeling very much interested in Princess Irma. - -I fancy we all felt rather sorry when the turreted wall of the old -château came in sight; the two miles had proved very short ones, and -almost before we knew it we were standing near the gate. - -The situation, from my point of view, was not uninteresting, for I had -not the least idea as to how the old Bornian noble would receive the -King of a country which such a short while before had been hostile. We -had not long to wait, however; for, as we came in sight of the terraces -in front of the house, an old white-haired gentleman came down them to -greet the Princess, his face betraying a slight, well-bred surprise upon -seeing her on foot, and accompanied by two gentlemen, both of whom were -strangers to him. - -We fell a little behind, as the Princess explained to her host the -incident which had brought about our acquaintance. She then evidently -explained who we were, for he came towards us with every mark of -pleasure and diffidence. - -I stepped forward and held out my hand. - -"Prince, Her Royal Highness has perhaps told you, that, having -accompanied her to your gate, we pressed for the pleasure of an -introduction to her host." - -"Your Majesty honours me by expressing such a desire. As it is, my -house and household are at your service; the longer your Majesty will -make use of it, the greater our delight." - -"For an hour or two, Prince, if we may; so that we can become better -acquainted." - -We did not carry a great deal of unnecessary clothing with us; so, after -making ourselves as presentable as we could, we were conducted to a -delightful room gay with flowers, and which gave evidence of feminine -occupation. One of those comfortable rooms in which you feel at home -immediately, with no stiff chairs to make you think of ceremony. From a -big divan, smothered in cushions, a girl uncoiled herself as we entered; -uncoiled is rather an unkind word to use, but it was gracefully done, -and swiftly. Her face looked familiar to me, and for a little while I -could not recollect where I had seen it; she was an extremely beautiful -girl--suddenly it flashed across my mind. I looked again and remembered. - -"I would ask your Majesty's permission to present my daughter Sonia." - -"We have already met, Prince; have we not, mademoiselle?" - -"Oh!" she cried, after looking at me intently. - -"How is the ankle?" I asked gravely. - -"Oh!" and then to her father, who looked slightly puzzled, she said, -"You remember that I hurt myself when staying on the Garude, father? It -was His Majesty who helped me and was so kind." - -"I lost a handkerchief, I remember," I said, laughing. - -"I have it yet. I kept it as a souvenir." - -"I only had the memory of a delightful afternoon to keep, mademoiselle." - -"Then I had the best of it, as I had the handkerchief as well." - -I was just going to make some laughing reply to this when I caught Mr. -Neville's eye. There was a distinctly quizzical look in it, and it -flashed across me that I had spoken to him about a girl on a mossy river -bank, in terms which I could not now recall without reflecting on the -folly of extreme youth. I remembered how, at that time, I seemed to be -absolutely wrapped up in Sonia, how I imagined that without her my whole -life must inevitably be wrecked: and now? Well, she was a charming, -beautiful girl, but I did not even fancy that I was in love with her. - -At this moment the Princess returned. She had made a rapid change in -her toilette, and clad in some light-coloured gown she looked radiant, -even beside Sonia, whom many, or rather most people, would have called -the more beautiful. - -The hour that I had intended to stay passed all too quickly, it ran into -two, three, four, without my being aware of the lapse of time. Tea had -been brought out to the terrace where we were sitting; and, after the -days we had spent in not over-clean inns, the delicate linen and china -and perfect service were very acceptable; but it was the charming -company which was the greatest delight. - -The Princess and I had worked out to the satisfaction of both of us, or -nearly so, our exact degree of relationship. We differed, I remember, -on the point of whether it was tenth or eleventh cousinship, three times -removed; Mr. Neville finally solving it in his quiet, dry way, when we -appealed to him. - -"It is simplicity itself; you are undoubtedly Uncle and Aunt." - -Some little while after this, Sonia made a remark about the beauty of -the sky; and I realised, then, how long we had been sitting there--it -was past six o'clock. Upon rising to take my leave of them, I felt -genuinely sorry, so much so that when the Prince remarked that the roads -were very bad, that it was a good twelve miles to the next town, and -that they would consider it the highest honour if I would spend the -night there, I only hesitated for a moment before accepting their offer. - -I did not hesitate longer, because I knew that, even if I wanted to, I -should find it very difficult to tear myself away from an atmosphere -that was so happy and delightful. - -As I resumed the seat that I had vacated, I was ridiculously glad to see -the pleased smile with which Princess Irma greeted my decision. - -After a dinner which was only ceremonious by the attendance, for our -costumes were not those of full evening dress, we strolled out to enjoy -the perfection of the moonlit garden. - -I do not remember ever having felt so extraordinarily happy before, I am -almost sure that the moon must have had an effect upon me, for I went to -my room that night in a state of mind bordering upon the hilarious. I -had a few minutes' conversation with Mr. Neville before turning in; I -fancy he was as pleased to see me happy as nothing else could have made -him. - -"My dear old tutor, isn't she splendid?" - -He looked at me gravely, and without twitching a muscle answered: - -"She is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, I no longer -wonder that the idea of kingship was abhorrent to you." - -"Eh?" - -"It must have been a terrible wrench to give up all thought of her; and -to think that she retains your handkerchief, it is really romantic, but -rather pathetic." - -"I don't mean Sonia." - -"No?" - -There was infinite surprise in his voice. I looked at him quickly--a -twinkle had crept into his eyes. - -"You knew that I did not mean Sonia quite well, but don't you think the -Princess is simply ripping?" - -"Yes, I do, my dear boy, Her Royal Highness seems to be a very noble -type of womanhood." - -"I say, do you think it is worth while going to Sonale?" - -"There are three other sisters." - -"I don't care if there are forty. I don't want to see them now; but I -do want to stay on here for a few days, and I know the Prince would be -very pleased. Suppose we do." - -"It would be most agreeable, Victor." - -"Then we will," I said. - - - - - *CHAPTER XVI* - - -The next morning was so fine and sunny that I was out of bed before five -o'clock. I dressed quickly and walked over to the village of Stranz. - -Early as my visit was, the inhabitants were astir, the wounded boy -better. His bandages were tied in so professional a manner that I asked -the mother where she had learnt. - -"It was not I, Excellency, but the surgeon. He came last evening and is -to come again. The lady whose horse fell down had him sent for, may the -good God bless her!" - -This was good news to me, for it proved that the Princess had not been -so unconcerned as I had imagined her to be, and I love to see women fond -of children. Her apparent coolness had been rather a disappointment. -Now, however, when I thought it over, I saw how much wiser she had been -to send for some one whose duty it was to attend to such cases rather -than attempt anything herself. Also, there had been so many women about -to offer their sympathy and advice that hers would have been little -appreciated. - -Thinking over this, and other things, I walked back to the château. - -It was eight o'clock when I came down for the second time that morning. -I went out on to the terrace, and found the Princess and her host deep -in conversation. - -"Your Majesty is an early riser," he said, after we had shaken hands. - -"Generally, and this morning was so lovely that I could not waste it, -and so went for a walk in the cool hours." - -"Has your Majesty been out before, then?" - -"Yes, I walked over to Stranz, where I found the wounded boy progressing -well with every hope of a speedy recovery, thanks to Her Royal -Highness's kindly thought." - -The Princess blushed, then she gave a little laugh. - -"I could do nothing myself, you know." - -"Except think of the very best thing to be done," I said. - -"You are kind, but then I think you must be always so." - -"It is not always possible, Princess." - -"But you are generally, and so I am going to ask a favour for my host: -it is that your Majesty will stay for a few days here if you can spare -the time." - -"This is my holiday, Prince, and I am for once my own master, so I will -accept your invitation with great pleasure, but only on condition that -you do not alter your accustomed routine of life. Let me remain Mr. -Stevens as hitherto, for I think it would be unwise to publish the fact -that I am staying here. Of course I must let my Ministers know. Mr. -Neville will see to that, and also secure some more suitable apparel, if -you will lend him the means to reach Askoff." - -"Your Majesty does me much honour," said the old gentleman, who was -evidently greatly pleased with the alacrity with which I had accepted -his invitation. I have often wondered since whether he had seen how -much I enjoyed the company of the Princess, and whether she had hinted -that we might stay if invited. - -For two days we lived the ordinary life of the château, and I was as -happy as I have ever been. It was all so new to me, for, although there -had been my own home-life in England, this was far more intimate than -mine had ever been; or perhaps it was simply that now I thought about -it, and before I had not. Whatever it was, it made me wish to have a -home-life of my own. - -I am afraid that I victimised the Princess, for I demanded a great deal -of her time. I was greedy for her company, I revelled in the presence -of so fair a companion; but all the time, happy though I was, there -lurked the question: am I to leave her behind and retain but a memory? -I debated this point with myself over and over again: how could I be -sure after so short an acquaintance that I really cared for her in the -way which to my mind was absolutely necessary? I, myself, was as -certain in my heart that I had met my match as I could be of anything, -but my brain bade me beware of jumping to a conclusion before deep -meditation. I knew that she attracted me physically, that there was a -quality in her personality which answered to a similar quality in mine, -but I did not know whether I was intoxicated with love or really in -love. Was I, with youthful inexperience, mistaking the abstract desire -for the reality? - -I would try to argue with myself as to my own feelings, and failed -dismally more often than not, but I know that I invariably ended my -mental researches with the rather naïve question: and what are her -feelings in the matter? That would send me down into the depths of -despair, and make me wish that I had gone to Sonale, but the next moment -I regretted such thoughts, and looked upon them with a feeling of -disgust, almost of disloyalty, for how could I surmise the worst before -putting the question to the person most concerned? - -The third day of our visit dawned, and I do not think it will ever slip -from my memory. To begin with, the weather was brilliant, gorgeous warm -sunshine even early in the morning, but possessing, thanks to the -altitude, just sufficient snap in the air to make one feel that it was -good to be alive. I can recall the pleasant, friendly, good-tempered -feeling at breakfast that morning, how every one there was as if -affected by the sunshine outside, and sparkled naturally, I think most -especially this was the case with Sonia, who had evidently had news -which delighted her. The Prince gently chaffed her about a letter, and -then explained to me that his daughter's fiancé was to be with them for -a little while. - -I naturally turned to say something appropriate, and noticed that her -face wore rather a perturbed expression. - -"What is troubling you, Mademoiselle Sonia?" - -She blushed faintly, and it was the Princess who answered for her. - -"The young officer in question is one of your Majesty's subjects; -perhaps, in respect of your incognito, it were as well that he should be -stopped." - -"One of my officers, is he? That explains the kindness shown to me. -Love me, love my king! eh?" I looked at the Princess and noticed a -twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps," I continued, "if it will not disturb -your plans too much--er--this young officer had better not--had -better----" I waited again as though in perplexity. - -The Princess smiled, there was a pitiful look on Sonia's face. - -"I was only going to suggest that he should see you before he sees me, -it will make him less nervous." - -Had I been other than a king I firmly believe that Sonia would have -called me "Pig," or something equally endearing, especially as her -father and the Princess laughed heartily. - -I never knew where Mr. Neville vanished to that morning, but soon after -breakfast he disappeared, and we did not see him again until lunch. I -fancy he wished me to have the opportunity to spend the morning once -more alone with the Princess, he knew that I always insisted upon the -Prince attending to his affairs as though I was not there as a guest, -and he also knew that Sonia would not be likely to be in the way. - -It seemed perfectly natural to me when I found myself alone with the -Princess, seated beneath a great tree in the garden with nothing to do -but enjoy myself; and yet up to these last few days I had had little -time in my life for idleness. As a matter of fact, I don't as a rule -like to be lazy, but this morning I felt that I should have slain anyone -who proposed doing anything. I wanted to be quite slack, with nothing -to do but delight in my companion, a frame of mind which I found -ridiculously easy to fall into. So there we sat, I am afraid without -thought, on my part, of any desire to move that my companion might have -had. I was for the time absolutely selfish, and, what is more, I felt -as though I exulted in it. I sat and watched the Princess's face; it -was well worth it, it was so fascinating with its constant change of -expression. Our conversation was for the most part trivial, light and -yet interesting, for to know people well, the lighter side of their -natures must be studied as well as the more serious, and I was desirous -to know all I could about the Princess. Presently I said: - -"Tell me about Sonia's fiancé, Princess, do you like him?" - -"Very much indeed, he seems to be a splendid fellow and absolutely -devoted to Sonia." - -"Which is quite understandable." - -"What do you wish to know about him?" - -"Well, I should like to know his name, and what regiment he belongs to, -and anything else which you think might interest me." - -"His name is Boris von Landsberg, and he is a lieutenant in a dragoon -regiment now quartered in Garace; he is very good-looking." - -"So is Sonia, they will make a handsome couple. Is it to be soon?" - -"I am afraid not very soon." - -"That's a pity; may I ask why?" - -"Simply lack of fortune, I believe." - -"That's a pity." - -"Yes, but you see, although Landsberg is of a very old and distinguished -family, it has never been a wealthy one; and Sonia's father has told me -quite frankly that his means will not permit of his doing more than help -at present." - -"I can understand that, as he seems to have a great number of people -dependent upon his bounty." - -"So they will have to wait, I am afraid." - -"It's a pity," I said again. - -"I think so, but there are so many cases which seem pitiable to me. -However, I have a very finite mind, and so perhaps look at them in the -wrong way." - -"I fancy we are all inclined to limit our vision, and not seek to -discover the lessons to be learnt by adversity." - -"That is quite true, but I am afraid it is not the philosophy likely to -appeal to lovers, and the two we are speaking of are very fond of each -other." - -"Something might be done in their case, I hope; at least I will see if -it is possible." - -"Oh, will you help them?" - -"Would you be pleased, Princess?" - -"Indeed, yes; for, next to my sisters, I love Sonia." - -"Then I must do what I can." - -"You _are_ good. I don't wonder that you are beloved." - -"Blatant flattery, Princess, which makes me blush, a thing which I -assure you is extremely bad for me." - -"Do you often suffer in that way?" - -"Not very; Mr. Neville sees to that." - -"What a nice man he is." - -"One of the finest characters I have ever met; one of the staunchest -friends a man ever had." - -"He is devoted to you." - -"He must be to have put up with my whims for so many years." - -"Have you many?" - -"Quite a number." - -"Then, be really interesting and tell me some." - -"You must be prepared for terrible shocks, now listen: I am romantic, a -fatal mishap in a king, one liable to lead him into all sorts of -trouble." - -"In what way?" - -"Well, you know how a king is bound by rules and regulations, some -dating from the stone age. I want to break them all, I want to -establish precedents for royalty, such as the right to sneeze without a -chamberlain to assist. And then, think of how much might be done to -lighten the lives of those royalties who are not in the highest -positions; the really worthy members who devote their lives to opening -things, I don't mean boxes of sardines or anything like that, but -hospitals, exhibitions, etc." - -"There is, I am afraid, a certain flippancy in the air this morning; I -shall catch it soon, if you continue." - -"That would be terrible, Princess. Just imagine, if you can, the -feelings of the staid members among my people, how shocked they would be -to think that their monarch was ever natural. You see what cause there -is for my whims." - -"They would write long letters to the papers entitled 'Should Kings be -Flippant?' or 'Should Kings Smile?'" chimed in my companion. - -"And the editor would invite his readers to discuss the matter in his -columns, thus supplying himself with copy free of charge; one can see in -that the work of an immutable providence, decreeing that nothing in the -way of effort shall be wasted." - -"And what else would you do to lighten the lot of royalty, besides -allowing them to sneeze unaided?" - -"There are three heads to my next thought, which I will place in the -following order--Life, Death, and Love." I am afraid that I paused a -little longer than was absolutely necessary after the last word, then I -continued, "To be a really good royal person, it is required that Life -should be lived according to the rules and regulations appertaining to -that station in life. Now, supposing that three great nobles have the -right to pull off your stocking when you retire; that is quite excellent -in its way, but there are drawbacks, for instance: for three men to pull -at one stocking necessitates the possession of big feet by the king, -then----" - -"Oh, stop, stop, please! These terrible pictures which you conjure up -are most upsetting." - -"Very well, let us discuss the next head--Death. Again, there, we see -the power of the Press; a royal person must always say something -suitable as 'Last Words.' That is the only way in which Grand Opera -resembles real life, for, in operatic death scenes, the dying person -always sings the most difficult note just as the breath leaves the -body." - -"You are becoming morbid." - -"Then I had better close the discourse, for if I become morbid over -death, I--but there, I will not bore you." - -"Oh, please, do, I am really interested in your views on life." - -"You are not a society reporter by any chance, in disguise, are you?" - -"No, but it must be rather a fascinating life, they see so much more -beauty in the world than ever exists." - -"How unkind to the ladies." - -"Very, but I am waiting for your last--what shall I call it?" - -"Well, I described it as 'Head,' but perhaps we might call it 'Heart.'" - -"And what have you to say about that?" - -"Only that it always seems such a pity that royalty must love to order." - -"It would be better, I think, if you said marry to order, for surely -love is one of those things which we cannot really control." - -"Mr. Neville might know, Princess, he is a walking encyclopædia, but I -cannot say, having had no experience." - -"How sad, poor King! Has there been no one to touch your heart?" - -"Well, once I thought I was really in love, but I was not." - -"Dear me, you said that very emphatically." - -"Did I? It must be because I am so certain about it." - -"Do tell me about it, or would it awaken fond memories best forgotten?" - -"I fear that I should become morbid--but there, I might as well tell -you, in spite of the fact that I no longer love her; yet the -recollection of our last parting makes me always sad. Perhaps you have -noticed the streak of melancholy in my nature." - -"Of course I have, especially to-day." - -"We were torn asunder, a woman came between us----" - -"Poor King!" said the Princess, shaking her head sadly. "And what did -you do?" - -"I rebelled, I fought, I lost my temper, refused to take my food, sobbed -in my agony, cried imploringly to those who parted us. Alas, it was of -no avail, I was torn by force from her loving arms and deposited in my -cot; for I was only three, and my love was the nurse, who had in some -way offended my mother." - -"I really did not know you could be so facetious, and I think it a shame -to work my feelings up to such a pitch, make me ready to weep tears of -pity, and then let me down with such a jar; you really might be a modern -novelist." - -"Well, well, well! what a lot of nonsense we are talking; you will -observe that my innate modesty prevents me from taking all the credit." - -We interlarded our frivolity with spasms of sensible conversation, and I -learnt many things which I had wanted to know, some of which surprised -me; one of them was that the Princess had been about to become engaged -to that hound Alexis. I thanked God that he was dead, for the mere -contemplation of such a thing was insulting to her. She told me that -she had not been asked about the matter, that she had been brought up -with the idea of marrying him, and that really she had never given the -matter serious consideration, as from earliest girlhood she had been -told that all marriages were for the good of the State, that is, all -royal marriages. I asked her whether she had any idea whom her father -now wished her to marry, and she told me that she did not know, but -supposed it would be some grand duke or German princeling. I vowed in -my heart that such an appalling fate should not be hers if I could help -it, for I knew something of the terrible and stupid etiquette of such -Courts: soul-grinding rules and regulations which stamp out -individuality and forbid happiness. - -I have never been able to discover the use of out-of-date etiquette, and -I have always striven to abolish it in my own Court, whenever the reason -for its existence was lost in the mist of ages. - -To return, however, to my companion and myself. We were enjoying the -morning immensely; I make it a plural statement for the simple reason -that the Princess told me she was. We were like two children on a -holiday, and when I suggested that titles were formal, and that we each -knew the other's Christian name, and that cousinship, however remote, -allowed the use of them, she agreed, and from then we were "Irma" and -"Victor" to each other. - -"Irma is a pretty name," I said. - -"Victor is a pretty name," mimicking me. - -At which we both laughed, for my disgust at having anything pretty about -me was apparent. - -Presently our host and Sonia joined us, and the conversation grew more -serious, and widened considerably. The Prince was interested in a -series of experiments he was making with regard to agriculture, and I -found his theories more than worthy of being listened to. Mr. Neville -joined us, and as usual added his sound views to our discussion; his -remarks were always apt, reaching to the core of the question, and his -vast store of knowledge almost invariably threw light on some knotty -point. - -The sound of a galloping horse drew our attention, and I saw that Sonia -showed signs of agitation, so surmised correctly that Boris von -Landsberg had arrived. Presently the Prince brought him up and -presented him to me, and I found that the report I had received did not -belie him, for he was a strikingly handsome man, about my own age. He -was a trifle confused when presented, and his face seemed vaguely -familiar, but it was only later in the day that I recalled where I had -met him. - -For an hour or two after lunch, we amused ourselves with some rare old -books and manuscripts which the Prince had collected. I need hardly say -that we had excused Landsberg from such arduous duty. - -I took the opportunity, when Mr. Neville had left the room for some -reason, to speak to the Prince about Landsberg. - -"Prince," I said, "Her Royal Highness has told me something of the facts -regarding your daughter's engagement to Landsberg, and I should like, if -I knew that it was your wish, to do what I could to make the union -possible." - -"It has always been my dearest wish that they should marry, your -Majesty, but unfortunately I am so placed, that it is impossible for me -to give financial assistance, that is, of course, enough. When matters -are settled down, I hope, however, to be able to do so. Landsberg is -himself practically dependent upon his pay, with, perhaps, a couple of -hundred pounds private income; now, although I am not a snob, I do not -wish my only daughter to live in a state of genteel poverty. It may be -simply false pride upon my part, but we are an old family, and----" - -"Say no more, Prince, I understand perfectly and have only deep respect -for such pride; now will you let me confide in you? What I wish to say -is this: I myself am bound for state reasons to marry soon; and, with -that thought in my head, I would like above all things to have your -daughter in my wife's entourage." - -"Your Majesty honours me too greatly; my daughter could not be at any -Court more noble than yours will be, and I thank your Majesty most -sincerely." - -"Then you will allow me to make it possible for them to marry?" - -"I shall take pride in the fact that my daughter is your Majesty's -subject." - -"Thank you, Prince, then I must see what I can do." - -When we joined the others in the garden, I took Landsberg aside to a -quiet corner, where we could talk without interruption, and said: - -"I congratulate you, your betrothed is a most charming girl." - -"I have the honour to share your Majesty's opinion," he answered. - -"It seems to me, though, that as you are only at present a lieutenant -your marriage must be postponed for some time." - -"Unfortunately that is the case, your Majesty." - -"You know I don't approve of officers marrying until they have reached -the rank of captain, the majority of them have no time to do anything -but learn." - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -"Now from what I have learned of you, I gather that you love your -profession. Am I right?" - -"With all my heart." - -"H'm! what would Mademoiselle say to that?" - -"She is already jealous of my profession, your Majesty." - -"Well, well! Now listen to me, Landsberg. You know I am against -favouritism in my army, but in my Guards I appoint my own officers; that -being so, I intend to offer you a captaincy in that regiment as soon as -you have passed the examination for that rank." - -He gave a cry of joy, but before he could say anything I continued: - -"One minute more before you thank me. A captaincy in the Guards carries -with it a certain increase in pay; there are also posts which are -generally filled from the Guards, I mean those of military secretaries, -they also have the good side of extra pay to them. I shall appoint you -to one which is now vacant, and I think with a little economy you can -then marry; I think, too, that you will still have time to do your duty -to your wife." - -A sob broke from him, and for a moment I feared he would break down, but -he recovered himself. - -"How can I thank your Majesty? You save my life first, and then add to -that by giving me so much." - -"Save your life?" I was frankly puzzled. - -"I was the officer whom your Majesty carried out of fire near the bridge -of Atar." - -"I thought your face was familiar, Landsberg, and I am pleased that my -efforts were so successful. No, no, don't try to say any more, say all -that to Mademoiselle." - -He stayed where he was, for I promised to send Sonia to him; so when I -regained the others I said to her: - -"There is some one at the end of the shrubbery who has something -terribly important to say to you, mademoiselle; I think he has found a -four-leaved clover or something." - -I sat down next to my host. - -"Prince, I have lost no time in doing what I promised, as I do not know -when I shall be recalled; I have therefore done my best to upset your -household arrangements by making Landsberg a captain in my Guards, and -one of my military secretaries. This will be confirmed as soon as he has -passed his examination, and then, of course, the matter rests with you. -Let us walk a little, shall we?" - -He was very affected by what he considered the honour and kindness I had -shown him, and I thought that out of sight of the others he might -recover himself more quickly. I do not think that he had ever had much -consideration from his own countrymen, although he had done a great deal -for them. He was a splendid nobleman, both by rank and nature. - -Having played the part of good fairy to the best of my ability, I once -again turned my thoughts to my own affairs, which, strange to say, -centred upon the Princess, and I was thinking of her when I rejoined the -group in the garden. - -I found an extraordinary amount of agitation where I had left the -Princess and Mr. Neville talking quietly. Sonia, radiant and tearful, -Boris von Landsberg beside himself with joy, Mr. Neville smiling -broadly, with his eternal quizzical expression, and the Princess--I -don't know how to describe the expression upon her face, it was -indefinable, there was joy in it at the others' happiness, yet there was -a tinge of sadness there too. She glanced at me as I came up, but I -could not read the mystery of that look, I had no skill in reading a -woman's thoughts in her eyes. - -"I know exactly what you want to say, mademoiselle, but there is no time -before tea, and after that we have to dress for dinner, so let us forget -about it. No, I mean it--well, there, if you must. Now the other hand -is jealous, so you must kiss that, too." - -We were a merry party at tea that afternoon, for the joy of the engaged -couple was contagious, and none of us were really sober-minded until it -was time to dress; then I received a shock, for Mr. Neville came into my -room with me. - -"Have you enjoyed your day, Victor?" he asked, smiling. - -"Immensely, thanks." - -"Good! and when did you propose leaving?" - -"The day after to-morrow; why?" - -"Because there was this from Zeula. I did not give it to you before, -not wishing to spoil your day, but he seems to think you are really -needed." - -I read the letter he handed to me; it was of importance. - -"We must leave to-morrow early," I said. - -"How shall we travel?" - -"We will ride to Ruln, it will be the quickest way." - -"Horses?" - -"The Prince will lend us some." - -"We can do it in a day if we start early and catch the night train. I -am sorry, my boy, that your holiday has been spoilt." - -"Spoilt? Not a bit, I have enjoyed it tremendously." - -"We have not been to Sonale." - -"Damn Sonale!" - -At which he smiled and left me. - -I began my preparations. As a rule, I dress very quickly, but to-night -nothing went right; my studs slipped on to the floor in the maddening -way which studs have, and could only be discovered after a long and -temper-trying search, but the worst offender amongst my garments was my -tie; with that I wrestled for a quarter of an hour at least, then I -looked at myself in the glass and said out loud, "She may not care for -me," which explains my want of success--my mind was concentrated on -something else. - -Did she care for me? could she care for me? would she care for me? was -it possible to make her care for me as I did for her? I knew by then -that I was in love. I also knew that I wanted to ask Irma to marry me, -and there I stuck and realised that I was afraid. - -I tried to tie a neat bow, and failed; again, with the same result; then -I tore the offending strip of material off and threw it away from me. I -remember feeling grieved that it did not travel far through the air, -and, as soon as I realised I felt that about it, my sense of humour came -to my rescue, and I roared with laughter at my own stupidity. Picking -up the tie, I tried again with immediate success, so the strip of fabric -did grace my royal neck after all. - -I asked the Prince whether he could let us have horses early next -morning, as I had been recalled, and after having promised them he -expressed his sorrow at our departure: - -"Loyal Bornian as I am, your Majesty, I have grieved sometimes lately -that I was not born a Rudarlian." - -"I wish well that it had been so, Prince; but, now that your daughter -will be living in Karena, you must look upon it as your second home." - -Dinner was not as satisfactory a meal as tea had been; for the life of -me I could not frivol as I had done, and Sonia and Landsberg, I fancy, -were too happy; the other three did nobly, however. When the Prince -asked me how far we expected to get the next day, I said as far as Ruln, -and looked instinctively at the Princess. I don't know what I hoped, -perhaps that she would give some sign of her feelings, but she only -looked up swiftly and said: - -"Are you leaving us then?" - -"Yes," I answered cheerfully, although my heart had sunk to my boots. -"You see I am not allowed too long a holiday, for fear that I should get -lost." - -"I am sorry, I was going to propose a ride to Shesaks Towers to-morrow." - -"I'm afraid that must be a pleasure deferred, Princess." - -"For how long, until you are too old to climb properly?" - -She smiled her question, and my heart went right through the floor; but -I managed to answer her smile and say lightly: - -"I hope before then, in fact I am thinking of asking Landsberg to take -my place and let me have his." - -"God forbid, your Majesty," said that young man, looking at Sonia. - -"Oh, I don't mean now, Landsberg." - -A remark which caused laughter and enabled me to recover; it also -changed the subject. - -I own to being small-minded and ridiculous, but I felt piqued at the -apparent indifference with which Irma greeted the news of our departure, -and so, to add to my folly, instead of going into the garden after -dinner, I proposed a game of billiards to the Prince, and he, thinking -no doubt that I meant it, fell in with the suggestion, so that instead -of spending my last evening in the company of Irma, a good deal of it -was spent knocking silly ivory or bonzoline balls about with a silly -piece of wood. - -Mr. Neville came in after we had played for some time, and remarked that -it was a most lovely night, that it was as fine a moon as we had had -that year, or something like that. Every remark was a hint that we had -played long enough, but I refused to see, or pay any attention, until at -last he said: - -"We shall have to say good-bye to-night, as we are starting so early." - -Only then did I realise what an ill-tempered cub I was; and, when the -game ended, proposed we should join the others. - -However, the Prince excused himself, as it was later than usual, so I -went out by myself. I saw no one on the terrace where we generally sat, -so concluded that they had gone down the garden, and was about to follow -and try to find them, when a voice said: - -"Well, Victor, who won?" - -I turned quickly, and there was the Princess seated in a big arm-chair, -in the shadow of a trailing mass of jasmine and roses which hung over -the terrace. - -She was alone, so I drew up another chair beside hers. - -"You see I have come to bore you again, Irma," I said lightly. - -"I wonder?" she answered, and then continued, "Did you have some good -games?" - -"Very." I added "Liar" under my breath. - -"Isn't it a perfectly gorgeous night? Even I feel less prosaic under -such a moon." - -"You are not prosaic, are you?" - -"Good gracious me, yes, I have no chance of being anything else, and am -not sure that I could be if I tried ever so hard." - -"Nonsense." - -"I assure you it isn't. I wish it were, for then I could dream all -kinds of lovely things, instead of thinking about my meals and clothes." - -I felt suddenly chilled, without any reason that I knew of, save the -fact that I could not seem to get into touch with this mood of hers. It -was a few minutes before I essayed another remark. - -"I wonder when we shall meet again." - -"Oh, we are sure to meet somewhere some day, people always do, it is -such a small world really. I wish you could come to Sonale, I'm sure -you would find a great deal to interest you, and I know you would like -my sisters." - -"I'm sure I should." - -I did not put much fervour into my voice; and Irma evidently noticed it, -for she turned the subject. - -"What time do you leave to-morrow, Victor?" - -"We are starting about four, it will be light by then, and I hate riding -a horse hard." - -Another pause, and then: - -"You are very brave, aren't you, Victor?" - -"Good Lord, no! Why?" - -"Landsberg told us how you saved his life." - -"The deuce he did! well, I must warn him not to tell anyone else, and I -hope you will keep it dark." - -"Of course if you wish it, but why so modest?" - -"I'm not particularly so, but what I did was nothing much really, and it -was in the heat of action." - -"According to Boris, it was something very brave." - -"Dangerous perhaps; but, as I did not realise the danger at the time, -there is so much the less credit." - -"Well, I think it was very brave." - -"That is kind of you, Irma." - -"I want to thank you for what you are doing for Sonia and Boris von -Landsberg; she has confided to me that she will have to live in Karena." - -"I hope she will be happy there, when I am married the Court will be -gayer." - -"Oh, I do congratulate you, I had heard nothing of your engagement." - -She held out her hand, and laughed merrily. - -"Oh, it isn't settled yet," said I lamely, and subsided into silence. - -I felt terribly unhappy and cold, all my joy of the day had vanished and -I sat among the ruins of the edifice of love which I had built up; it -was as if something had blotted out the moon and plunged me into -darkness. Her delight at the thought of my being engaged had done it; -now I knew that she did not care, and I was miserable. - -The laughter of Sonia and Landsberg, as they walked up the path towards -the house, drew our attention and put a stop to any chance there might -have been for me to get back to a normal condition. As it was, we soon -parted for the night, nay more, for we should not see them on the -morrow. - -As I shook hands with the Princess, I reddened underneath my skin with -the effort that I had to make to prevent myself taking her in my arms -before them all, and proclaiming aloud that I loved her better than all -the world. Poor little King, with all your power, with all your pride, -you were a pitiable coward before the bright eyes of the girl you loved; -and deserved to be miserable. - -What a terrible night I spent; hours of restless tossing in a -comfortable bed, hours of self-reproach, and despair, until at last I -fell asleep. - -Mr. Neville and I, after a hasty breakfast and an almost affectionate -good-bye to our host, who had turned out to bid us farewell, rode away -from the château. As we passed the wing in which the Princess had her -apartments, I looked up at the windows, and hugged myself with joy to -see a hand wave us a last greeting, and hear a sweet voice call out: - -"_Bon voyage!_" - - - - - *CHAPTER XVII* - - -My joy, however, was transitory. That Irma should have taken the -trouble to wave to us at that hour in the morning, was little more than -a friendly act, although at first I had thought differently. My -companion and I rode in silence; he never asked questions of a personal -nature, although he was as curious as the best of us. At any rate we -rode along without exchanging a word. - -I left the route to him as I knew he would have worked it out before -starting. Ideal companion, he let me ride along quietly, never -disturbing my train of thoughts, except to say "right," or "left," as -the case might be. At first, after the faint flush of joy at Irma's -friendly adieu, I grew more and more despondent, and held to my -villainous bad temper for a long time, but presently I began to look at -things with a clearer vision, perhaps on account of the beauty of the -day and the exercise. I began to see what an ass I had been and was, to -have come away without giving the Princess an inkling of my feelings -towards her. - -I went over the conversations we had had together, and realised that -nothing I had said could have conveyed in the slightest degree the fact -that I was head over ears in love with her. What had I expected? -Evidently that she would read my unspoken thoughts, and immediately -throw herself at me, and say, "Victor, I love you." The absurdity of -the idea caused me suddenly to roar with laughter, much to Mr. Neville's -relief, for he turned to me with his quizzical smile and said: - -"You are a nice, cheerful companion, Victor." - -"I am a particular kind of damned fool." - -"In this instance, yes, but we are more to blame than you are, for it -ought to have been part of your education to have had numerous -experiences of a similar nature. But still, I don't think there is -anything to worry about, you will do better with the next one." - -"There isn't going to be a next one," I said, almost fiercely. - -"I did not suppose there was," he replied, smiling to himself. - -Once more I was cheerful, and we talked of many things, laughing and -jesting as we had all through our tour. In my heart, however, there ran -a refrain which filled me with contentment: "I shall see her again, I -shall see her again," it even seemed to adapt itself to the sound of our -horses' feet. - -I shall see her again, ran the refrain; but I did not know then how soon -it would be. - -It was good to be back in Karena again, there was such a friendly -feeling there; even the early hour of our arrival did not prevent a -small crowd assembling to do me honour. I think to be loved is the -nearest approach to divine happiness that a man can experience in this -funny old world of ours, especially when he is capable of returning the -affection. This was so in my case; I really loved all my people, down -to the dirtiest ragged urchin. - -It made me feel very proud to think of these good citizens being so -ready to wait and wait, just for the sake of seeing me flash by in my -car, and I hope that I shall never lose the feeling, for it seems to me -that such pride can do no man any harm, unless he is untrue to himself, -in order to retain the outward show of his peoples' affection. - -Apart, too, from the consideration that I have mentioned, Karena itself -was such a pleasant city; it was unexpected, full of surprising bits of -architecture, quaint mediæval roofs full of colour, the slabs of stone -seemed to retain the sunshine, and glowed merrily as one went by. I do -not believe that I ever felt this more vividly than I did that day, but -then perhaps there was sunshine in my heart, for had I not come to the -conclusion that I was an unmitigated ass? I can imagine circumstances -when to arrive at such a conclusion might not give satisfaction, but, as -it was, I was happy about it. - -My behaviour that day, I was told, was distinctly unkinglike. It was -Prince Zeula who imparted this information, and the reason for it was -that I persisted in calling him "Mr. Smith," and playing little jokes -upon him, childish fun, such as hiding his pen, and purloining his -glasses. My mother, too, declared that I was absolutely boisterous, on -account of the heartiness of my kisses, but, as all her dear face was -beaming with delight at my return, I did not worry about it. - -That evening Prince Zeula took Mr. Neville off to dine with him; I knew -what that meant. I remained with my mother at her request; I knew what -that meant, too. - -We sat out on a balcony overlooking the gardens, beautifully peaceful -and quiet save for the faint hum of the traffic passing the Palace. My -mother sat without saying a word, and I wondered how long her patience -would last, as I knew that she was terribly anxious to know about our -trip, that is, the really interesting part. It was in keeping with the -mischievous mood I had been in all day that I religiously refrained from -mentioning Irma, until at last she said: - -"And how did you like the Princess?" - -"Oh, she is a charming girl," I said lightly. - -"So I have heard; it is a pity that your proposed visit to Sonale was -interfered with." - -"It was; but Zeula had good reasons for recalling us." - -"He generally has good reasons for everything, hasn't he?" - -This astonishing mother of mine then began to talk of other things, a -proceeding which upset my calculations, for I had intended to make her -more and more curious. It was disturbing to find that she did not -appear to take any more interest in the Princess, especially as I was -dying to tell her all about my feelings in the matter. In vain I tried -to reopen the subject, but no, it was unavailing, and at length I was -obliged to capitulate, and say: - -"The Princess is an awfully nice girl." Which afterwards I thought -particularly tame. - -"Yes?" - -Oh, the dampening effect of that monosyllable. I seemed to shrivel up -inside, and then I chanced to glance at my mother's face. There was a -faint, quizzical smile upon her lips, as she bent forward to look into -the lighted room at her side. - -"Well, of all the artful women!" I shook my finger at her severely. - -"What is the matter, Victor?" - -"I do believe that you have been fooling me." - -"Did you take me for a stupid woman?" - -I went across and knelt at her side; she ran her fingers through my -hair. - -"Mother dear, she is the sweetest girl in all the world." - -"And?" - -"I love her so much." - -"And she?" - -"I don't know." - -"What?" - -"I don't know, I did not ask her." - -"Why not?" - -"I don't know, I think I was too scared." - -"Of what?" - -"That she might say 'no.'" - -My mother gave a little laugh. - -"I don't think you need have been afraid, my boy." - -"But mother dear, she seemed so pleased to hear that I was engaged; of -course she misunderstood me." - -"Tell me about it." - -I related what had happened, for every word was engraved upon my memory, -and when I had finished I said: - -"So you see, mother, that I couldn't say anything then, could I?" - -"Of course not, my boy; but I am quite sure now that you need not have -been afraid." - -"Do you really think so, mother, or are you saying that to soothe me?" - -"I really mean it, dear." - -"I was an ass, wasn't I?" - -"No, my boy, for how should you have known the workings of a woman's -mind?" - -And, when I thought of it, how could I? - - * * * * * - -Some two weeks after our return, when the business I had been recalled -for was completed, I spoke to Woolgast concerning Landsberg's -appointment to the Guards. - -"I am thinking--no, in fact I have promised a young officer of my -acquaintance the vacant captaincy in the Guards. His name is Landsberg, -do you know him?" - -"Is his Christian name Boris, your Majesty?" - -"Yes." - -"I have known him since childhood; my sister married his cousin." - -"Did you know of his engagement?" - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -"And the obstacles in their way?" - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -"Do you like the young man?" - -"He is a great favourite of mine, your Majesty." - -"Then why did you not mention his name to me when I asked your opinion -the other day about the appointment?" - -"Your Majesty has done so much for me that I could not ask favours." - -I looked at him for a minute; he had astonished me, that a man could and -yet did not. I fear there are few in the world like him. - -"Very well, General, I shall not forget. Landsberg has the appointment, -also the secretaryship which is vacant." - -He thanked me gravely and was about to depart, when I called him back. - -"I was going to tell you something, General, but I think I had better -wait a little while yet. I hope you will be properly curious." - -"If your Majesty finds that I fail in my duty, it will be through -curiosity." - -It was some two or three weeks after Captain von Landsberg first took -duty at the Palace that, when returning to my study one afternoon, I met -him hurrying towards me. His face showed plainly that he was extremely -upset, and angry. I stopped him, and asked whether there was anything -the matter. - -"I have just been seeking an audience with your Majesty." - -"Then come with me now." - -He followed me in silence, and I could almost feel his wrath as a -physical body. I felt that something really serious must have occurred -to upset him so completely, so once we were in my room I bade him sit -down in order to recover himself better, whilst I turned away to sort -some papers. - -"Well, Landsberg, what has upset you, and in what way can I assist you?" - -"I came to ask your Majesty for leave of absence." - -I raised my eyebrows. This was quick work, considering that he had only -joined such a short while. - -"I feel sure you have good reasons for your demand; are they of such a -nature that you can confide in me?" - -"Yes, your Majesty, I wish for leave of absence to punish a man who has -grossly insulted a lady who cannot retaliate." - -"I can have no duels in Rudarlia." - -"Your Majesty, the man I would punish is a Bornian, or rather he lives -in that country." - -"No officer in my Guards must be mixed up in any scandal, Landsberg." - -"I assure your Majesty there shall be no scandal, no one will know my -name or anything about me, and----" - -"There is only one lady whose wrongs you have a right to redress. Is -Mademoiselle Sonia the lady in question?" - -"No, your Majesty." - -"No member of your family?" - -"No, your Majesty, but it is a lady whom I revere, and too highly placed -to take notice of the insult." - -I frowned, what he had said puzzled me. Too highly placed? Of no one -less than Royalty could that be said. I began to get cold, how many -Royal persons in Bornia did Landsberg know? - -"You must tell me the name of the lady, for she is evidently Royal, and -surely you do not know many of the Royalty of Bornia." - -"No, your Majesty." - -"How many do you know?" - -"One, your Majesty." - -I grew colder, and then hot in a quick flush of burning rage: some one -had insulted my Princess. - -"You may tell me about it, Landsberg." - -Something in my voice must have startled him, for he looked up sharply, -and hesitated. - -"Tell me," I said again. - -"It is Princess Irma, your Majesty." - -"How was she insulted and by whom?" - -"In an article in a paper, may I give it to your Majesty to read?" - -"Have you it with you?" - -"It is here, your Majesty." - -He pulled a paper from the front of his tunic and handed it to me. - -I turned aside to one of the windows and read. It was just one of those -filthy articles which hint at scandalous behaviour; articles that are -far more injurious than outspoken libel. There was nothing which could -be shown up as untrue, but a number of vague hints at scandal which so -many people gloat over, and remember to regale their friends with. The -kind of article that causes the sales manager of a paper to rub his -hands gleefully. - -I read the thing twice; and, by that time, I was in such a rage that had -the writer been in the room I should have tried to kill him. - -I thought rapidly of the best course to pursue, but I cannot say whether -I decided upon it or not; however, I was determined that the swine who -wrote it should not escape scot free. I turned to Landsberg, and I -think my face must have scared him, for he stammered out something about -being sorry to have distressed me. - -"Distressed me? Why, Landsberg, if you had not taken notice of this, I -think I should have cancelled your commission. Now listen to me: the -writer of this is going to be punished, you understand." - -"Your Majesty then gives me leave." - -"No, not for the purpose you think, but to accompany me." - -"Your Majesty?" - -"You will come to Sonale with me." - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -I saw his eyes gleam. - -"It is I who am going to chastise this fellow, not you, but I must be -disguised; you will see to that, just a beard and a few lines to add to -my age. You will give orders to have a powerful car ready to-night, at -the side entrance. Tell no one of what you know. I will inform the -necessary people." - -"And the chauffeur, your Majesty?" - -"I will drive, and Bauen will accompany us. You will, of course, be in -mufti, without any mark by which you could be recognised." - -"Yes; at what hour shall I await your Majesty?" - -"You may come here at a quarter-past ten, the car must be ready at the -half-hour." - -I sent for Zeula. He noticed my agitation the moment he entered, and I -told him as quietly as I could of my proposed trip. He was amazed, -horrified, pleading; and then, as he saw that my mind was absolutely -made up, he gave in. I believe in his heart of hearts he would have -liked to accompany me himself. He put no more obstacles in my way, and -even thought of things which I had forgotten. He reminded me that I had -better take my passport made out in the name of Stevens, supplied me -with a good sum of money, in case of necessity, and finally left me. I -think he saw I wished to be alone. - -I read the article for the third time, and then locked it in my desk, I -was in a mood quite dangerous enough, without adding fuel to it. I -could have cried with rage that anyone should even hint at such things. -I must be careful; the world must never know that the King of Rudarlia -had done what I proposed to do. This was not for my own sake but for -Irma's. Irma must never know, at least until we were engaged. I could -not let her suppose that I had chastised this man in order to gain her -gratitude. - -Should I make an effort to see her when once in Sonale? I had not made -up my mind, and yet, if possible, it would be a good opportunity for me -to ask the question, the answer to which I was longing to hear. Since -my interview with my mother I had lost the fear of a refusal, for I had -determined to win her, even though at first it should appear against her -will. - -I do not know how the time passed until the evening came, but somehow it -did. I had desired that Mr. Neville should come to me, but he could not -be found, which annoyed me, for I wished to confide in him. - -A small parcel had been given to me, which contained the necessary -disguise, and at the time appointed Captain von Landsberg appeared. - -"Help me with this," I said, holding out a stick of paint. - -He dexterously made a few lines on my face, which, though hardly -noticeable, added years to my age; he also assisted me to fix on the -beard, which was small and pointed. I looked at myself in a mirror: the -effect was all that I desired. - -In ten minutes we were on our way. At six o'clock we drew up in front -of a small hotel in Sonale. - -We engaged a room in which to breakfast, and wait until the morning was -more advanced. I doubt if I had exchanged more than three remarks with -my companion; now, however, I said: - -"I want you to go and find out just where the office of the paper is, -and any other information you care to gather, such as the name of the -editor, and what time he generally arrives, then return here." - -I sat down by the open window to await his return, and my thoughts were -pretty busy. I recalled the drive through the night, hour after hour; -the great headlight of the motor, shining first on one thing then on -another, the straying cows which had so nearly caused a mishap, the luck -of finding an intelligent peasant when we lost our way; he was well -rewarded for being hauled out in the middle of the night, and I daresay -wished that more people would lose their way. The amazement of the -frontier guard at the mad English motorist, the puncture which caused -delay, and finally the hotel where I now sat and waited. Then my -thoughts switched on to Sonale; it seemed so strange that I should be -here in the Bornian capital, in the same place where Irma lived. I -wished that I had asked Landsberg to find out the way to the Palace, and -the next moment was pleased that I hadn't. I wondered whether it would -be possible to obtain audience with the Princess without allowing my -identity to become known. I might do it through Sonia, I had no doubt -that she could get the Princess to her rooms under some pretext, that -is, if Irma did not wish to see me in her own, for of course I did not -want to hide my identity from her, only from strangers. Then I became -impatient with waiting, and walked up and down the room, glancing every -few minutes at my watch. Half-past nine, ten, and still he had not -returned. I sincerely hoped that nothing had happened to Landsberg. At -about a quarter-past be came in, with a strange expression on his face. - -"Well, I have been all impatience for your arrival." - -"I have found out what your Majesty wishes to know, and more." - -"More?" - -"Yes, your Majesty, the man who wrote the article will not be at work -for some time." - -"What, isn't he in Sonale?" - -"He is, your Majesty, but we are too late, some one has already done -what we came to do." - -"Damnation! But who?" - -"No one knows, your Majesty, but the fellow received a most unmerciful -thrashing, and will certainly write no more articles of a similar kind; -he had to be carried home, they told me." - -"I must know who did it, so that I can thank him, although I envy him -the doing of it; but you and I, Landsberg, are not wanted, we had better -get back to Karena." - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -He looked as though he did not agree with me, and it flashed across me -that he had hoped to catch a glimpse of his betrothed, but I was in no -mood to be unselfish; since I could not do what I had come to do, and -since I could not think of any way to see the Princess, I wished to get -away from Sonale as quickly as possible. I looked at him, he stared -straight in front, without moving a muscle of his face, bearing his -disappointment like the very gallant gentleman he was, and incidentally -setting an example to me, his King. - -"I shall leave here at one o'clock," I said. "Until then, you had better -do some shopping, and obtain what no other city in the world can give -you at the present time. Go, don't waste time, and try to be back -punctually; tell them to send me up the papers." - -"I thank your Majesty most gratefully." - -His face was all smiles, and I felt pleased that some one should benefit -by our trip. - -I tried very hard to make myself believe that I was pleased that the -fellow had been punished, but I could not get over the desire I had had -to send my fist smashing into his face. However, I realised that the -chivalry of some man had taken the matter out of my hands, and that I -must wait patiently, reading the newspapers, until that lucky young -devil of a Guardsman had finished making love and returned to his King. - -Having read the papers, I set about for some method of amusing, or -rather boring myself, and commenced to whistle somewhat mournfully all -the airs I could recollect; when I hit upon one more than usually -lugubrious, I repeated it several times, much to my satisfaction. I -remember that the English song, entitled "Three fishers went sailing out -into the west," was the one which I finally selected as the most -suitable to fit my mood, and gloried in making it as miserable as -possible. - -With no hope in my heart that the time would pass quickly, I smoked and -yawned, yawned and smoked, until twelve o'clock. - -The door opened and Landsberg appeared. - -"There is a lady who wishes to speak to your Majesty." - -"The devil!" - -I meant to say this under my breath, but I must have spoken louder than -I intended, for the lady of whom Landsberg had spoken heard it, and -laughed merrily. - -"No, Victor, only me." - -She threw back the veil which covered her face. I sprang to my feet, and -tossed my cigar, as I thought, into the fire-place, but it fell short on -the carpet, and smoked merrily, a fact which I did not notice, for I had -eyes for nothing but the face of my darling. - -Landsberg had decently left the room. - -I was so surprised that I could only hold her hands and look at her, and -at length her eyes fell before the light in mine. I did not know that I -still held her hands. - -"Princess, oh, Princess." - -"Victor, oh, Victor." The little witch had hypnotised me, and then was -graceless enough to mock at me. - -"Irma, I love you, I love you." - -She gave a little start and I felt her hands tremble; I saw a new look -come into her eyes, rather startled, and shy. - -"Victor, what are you saying?" - -"Oh, I know what I say, have known it for all the time that has passed -since I saw you last. I love you, and I want you to say that you will -try to love me. Irma, my beautiful Irma, will you try?" - -"Are you sure you want me, are you sure it is not mere liking, are you -sure, oh, Victor, are you sure?" There was a little break in her voice. - -"Am I sure? Yes, I am, I love you so much that the mere thought of you -makes me happy. Irma, I never thought it possible until I met you that -God could be so kind, and yet He has been very good to me, everything -has prospered with me, but I would sooner be a peasant, with you, than -reign where I do without you. I can't live without you, I love you so." - -"What do you want me to say?" she said, so softly that only my lover's -ears could have caught the words. - -"Say you love me a little, my darling." - -"It would hardly be true, Victor, for I love you with my whole heart." - - * * * * * - -It would seem like sacrilege to write of the next quarter of an hour, -even if I could remember what was said, which I cannot; there remains to -me but a confused memory, yet one of the gladdest of all that I possess. -All that I can say is, that I knew I had received a priceless gift in -her love, and gloried that mine for her was as deep and passionate. - -"You are rather astonishing, Victor." - -Her words brought me back to everyday existence, and I began to laugh, -lightly at first and rather uncertainly, until she joined in, and we sat -like two foolish people, and laughed until we cried. But an end must -come to even the heartiest laughter, and when I had wiped the tears from -my eyes, I answered her remark: - -"Why am I astonishing?" - -"Isn't it rather unusual--your mode of procedure, I mean?" - -"It is none the worse for that, but I suppose it might strike a casual -observer as rather strange." - -"I think it would," she said. - -She began to laugh again, but so tremulously that I put my arm round her -and held her tight; her head went down on to my shoulder and she cried. -For a moment I thought to ask her what was the matter, but my innate -prudence made me keep silent, and after a minute or two she looked up, -smiling through her tears. - -"I am so silly, but I am so happy." - -"So am I." - -I should imagine that I looked it, for my face was one big smile. It -was so very extraordinary, I had been absolutely afraid at the château, -whereas now I felt as brave as a lion. - -"How did you know I was here?" It had only just struck me that I had -not told Landsberg not to mention the fact. - -"Sonia told me, of course." - -"I must make Landsberg a General." - -"You know Sonia is outside?" - -"No, I didn't, but it is an excellent place for a little while yet. Now -tell me why you came, was it because you thought I should feel lonely?" - -"No, dear, it was not for that, but to thank you." - -"Whatever for?" - -"For what you were here for. No, you must not blame Landsberg, Sonia -got it out of him. She made him tell her, and I am so glad she did, for -I could never have come unless I had had that as a reason." - -"Couldn't you have thought of one for yourself?" - -"Oh, yes," she said teasingly, "I could have come and asked you to marry -me." - -"I have not asked you yet, now I come to think of it, so will repair the -fault, if you please." - -"Go down properly on your knees then." - -I did as she bade me, and she put her hands one on each side of my face, -and held me fast. - -"Didn't you know I loved you, Victor?" - -"No, my darling, how could I? Why, when I left you the other day, I -thought you were absolutely indifferent." - -"Then why did you carry me off my feet to-day?" - -"Because I felt braver, and wanted you so much, that the sight of you -made me forget all considerations, made me forget everything except the -one fact, that I loved you." - -"I never thought that I should be proposed to in a scrubby little hotel -by a King. My imagination could not carry me as far as that, but I -shouldn't have minded if it had been a pigsty." - -I daresay the wonder of it all would have given us food for conversation -for a week, only Landsberg and Sonia were outside. Perhaps they were -impatient at our long interview, and thought that, as I happened to be a -reigning monarch, I had better get back to my own country, so one of -them--I never discovered who--gave a discreet knock at the door. The -next moment Irma and I were far apart. A monarch has no right to feel -foolish before one of his subjects--it is a bad precedent to -establish--but I found it extremely difficult to keep a stern expression -when the two entered; that is the worst of kingship, you can never be -natural except with your equals. I should have liked to tell all the -world that Irma loved me, it was the supreme and only important thing in -the world. As it was, after a few commonplaces, I sent Landsberg to see -if the car was ready; and when he had vanished said to Sonia: - -"Mademoiselle, I wish for your congratulations. Her Royal Highness has -consented to be my wife. I do not think there is any necessity to -mention the fact to Landsberg, although I should not be astonished to -hear that the rascal would not be surprised, if told." - -"Your Majesty has my most humble congratulations, and I am sure -Landsberg would be surprised, if he knew that your Majesty wished it." - -While the would-be surprised Captain was still out of the room, I said -good-bye to the Princess, my Irma. - - - - - *VICTOR VICTORIOUS* - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -Captain von Landsberg and I set off on our return journey. His face was -as solemn as that of a judge, or as that of a judge should be, for most -of the judges I have known are generally more than willing to see humour -in situations. - -Of course it was quite right of him not to show any amusement at the -fact that his King was only a mortal, with the ordinary tendencies of -mankind, and I have no doubt that writers of books on etiquette would -commend him most highly; but I wished that he had been Mr. Neville or -Prince Zeula, for then I could have poured out my soul, and incidentally -bored them horribly. - -I wished to speak of my Princess, to rave over her perfections, to force -them to see her as I saw her, to feel indignant if they did not. I -wished them to be there and agree with every wild statement I made, -although all the time I should have known they were laughing at me, and -probably saying to themselves, "Lord, how funny the boy is! does he -imagine that he is the only one who has been in love?" - -I daresay, if the truth could be known, Landsberg regarded me as the -staidest lover of his experience, for I sat staring straight in front of -me, hardly smiling, and only addressing a few remarks to him, and those -about such things as crops, cows, or cabbages. He would have changed -his opinion had he but known the wild exhilaration that I felt surge -over me from time to time, and the rose-tinted veil which hung over -those very ordinary subjects of conversation. - -We had gone a considerable way before I broached the subject of the -punishment meted out to the writer of the scurrilous article. - -I asked him whether he had any idea of the executioner; but he assured -me that all his questions had given him no hint, and he supposed that -among the Bornians there had been some man who had had the necessary -vigour to carry out the chastisement. - -As this was the most probable theory, I let the matter stay there -without any wild surmises; but I felt that I should very much have liked -to know who had done it, so that I could in some way reward him. - -As soon as we had got a few miles into Rudarlia, I removed the beard -which I had been wearing, and was glad to get rid of it. - -It was dark when we reached the Palace; and, after warning my companion -not to mention our trip, I slipped up to my own quarters, where I -delivered myself into my valet's hands. In about an hour I was closeted -with my mother. - -First I told her of the article, then about my idea of punishing the -writer, at which she implored me not to, and was only relieved by my -promising to take no steps in the matter. Then I told her that I was -engaged to be married to Irma. Her astonishment was so great that I had -to tell her everything, much to my amusement, for she had not known that -I had left the Palace. - -After my mother, I had to send for Prince Zeula, and have it all out -with him. He was so delighted that I feared evil consequences to his -health, and told him so; I believe if he had had his way he would have -ordered bonfires and fireworks. - -Lastly I went to Mr. Neville's room, where I knew I should find him -engrossed in the work of some mighty brain. As I expected, he was -there, seated in his favourite chair, sucking at a favourite briar, and -reading hard. I noticed that his hand was slightly bandaged, so after -our usual salutations I said: - -"What is the matter with your hand?" - -"Nothing much, I knocked some skin off it, and slightly strained one of -my fingers." - -"How did you do that?" - -"I hit it against something." - -"I'm sorry; but look here, can you spare me a few minutes? You will -have to whether you like it or not, so put that beastly, musty old book -down." - -He did as I wished, and I sat down near him, filled my own pipe, and -remained silent. - -He went on puffing, waiting for me to tell him what I wished to; he knew -that it was no good trying to hurry me, and that I should speak as soon -as I was ready, I do not know why, but it took me some little time to -formulate my sentences; and, when I had, I did not use them, but blurted -out instead: - -"I saw Princess Irma to-day. We are going to be married." - -"I'm glad, and congratulate you, Victor. Now tell me about it." - -Then I began to be eloquent, and poured out all those things I had -wished to say while returning from Sonale. Dear old fellow, he listened -intently just as I had imagined him doing, but his face showed how -pleased he was. I explained for the third time that evening just how it -had occurred, and he said that he had only disgust for the offence, -dismay at my proposed punishment of it, and satisfaction at the ultimate -result. I believe, had he given me the slightest opening, that I should -have gone all over my feelings again; but luckily for him he did not, -only suggesting that as I had had a strenuous day, I had better get some -sleep before morning. His congratulations were so genuine that, as I -said good night, I could not refrain from saying: - -"Don't you think I am an infernally lucky chap?" - -"I do, every man is who secures a really charming and good woman as a -wife, but I think Her Royal Highness is rather lucky too." - -A remark which I deprecated, although it was comforting, especially as -it came from Mr. Neville, for he did not as a rule pay me compliments. -Honestly, however, I think my pleasure was more for Irma's sake than for -any personal pride I may have had. - -So I went away from my old tutor quite pleased with everything. All the -three people who had given me so much were delighted; and I was to -become the husband of the sweetest woman in the world. It was hardly -wonderful therefore that I slept like an angel, by which I mean that I -was blest. - -I think I was nearer becoming chronically bad-tempered during the next -few months than at any other time in my life. It was so ridiculous that -I should be kept waiting for my bride for so long. I cursed etiquette -of every description, and regretted that I was not living in the middle -ages, when I could have carried her off immediately, or as immediately -as the force I had at my disposal would allow. I made myself -objectionable to nearly everybody, although they did not tell me so. -However, as the time went on, I began to get a bit calmer, and turned my -thoughts to a state of things which should have received attention -before; I thoroughly overhauled the Palace, and was almost dismayed to -find how much there was that required immediate alteration. - -There were whole suites of rooms that I could not bear the thought of -Irma ever seeing, they were so badly decorated. I do not know whether -Ivan had been responsible for the mural atrocities, the terrible colour -schemes, but I do know that some one without any taste at all had really -desecrated the Palace. Perhaps it was one of Ivan's lady friends. -Having come to the conclusion that this state of things must be altered -just as rapidly as possible, I sought the most capable architect in -Karena, and entrusted the job to him; but I made it plain that all plans -must be submitted to me before any work was done. - -To avoid the danger of having everything too masculine in taste, I -organised a committee, which consisted of my mother and Ivan's wife, -who, I am glad to say, was at last happy, and with whom my mother had -become very friendly. Sometimes, as a great honour, Zeula was allowed -to suggest some decorative scheme. All this was really quite -unnecessary, but it was an amusement, and rather out of the ordinary -Royal pursuits. - -Some two months after my return from Sonale--that wonderful trip with -Landsberg--I was present at the wedding of Sonia. It was a function of -some magnitude, for all the nobility of Rudarlia who were not in some -way related to Landsberg knew that I was interested in the wedding, and -that it would be rather a cheerful and sumptuous gathering. Therefore -they came, nor, I understand, were they disappointed. In fact, so large -was the crowd that I began to wonder whether my own marriage, when it -took place, would attract as much notice. I believe that I mentioned my -thoughts to Woolgast. He looked astonished, until I suggested that I -should have to take a commission in my own regiment of Guards, and then, -of course, he perceived that I had been jesting. He was a serious man, -whom I often teased. - -My mother took a great liking to the bride; and, when the couple -returned from their honeymoon, she often had her to her room. - -I therefore, myself, saw a good deal of the young wife, who was always -ready to talk about Irma, and from her I learnt much regarding the -tastes of my future wife. - -There was one room in the apartments set aside for Irma which I -determined to have decorated entirely according to my own fancy; and -once this was decided upon I set to work to gather together those things -which might best carry out my idea. From Sonia I learnt that a very -favourite period of art, with Irma, was the eighteenth century French -school, so I set about obtaining as many rare and beautiful specimens of -that period as possible. I was fortunate enough to secure some gems, -although I had to pay very heavily for them; but, when I saw them in the -spaces and places allotted to them, I thought they were worth it. The -room, when finished, surpassed my expectations, and I used to dream of -the day when Irma would sit there and admire some beautiful painting, or -fondle some charming bit of china. - -I am afraid that I might have neglected my customary routine, had I been -left to myself, but in Zeula and Mr. Neville I possessed two guardians -who were quite capable of standing me in a corner if I did not do my -kingly duty. I used to wonder sometimes whether love was changing me -into a slothful person, I so often felt averse to doing many things -which before I had accepted without murmuring. Mr. Neville used to gibe -at me without mercy, but his crowning insult was when he called me -"Romeo"; that caused a most unkingly tussle, in which I am loath to say -Victor II. of Rudarlia won by very little: my old tutor was -astonishingly tough. - -Zeula, who was present, laughed like a schoolboy; and I am convinced, -had anyone seen us, every single subject of mine would have heard the -rumour that their King had gone mad. - -But even waiting comes to an end, and the day dawned when Irma and I -became one. I do not believe that two souls have ever fused more -completely into one than hers and mine. - -My wife and I rarely mention the day of our marriage, for the reason -that, although it was the beginning of our married life, something -happened which was so tragic, so unlooked for, that even the retrospect -is disquieting and leading to melancholy. - -With all the pomp which attends the public marriage of Royalty, Irma and -I had said those words which made us man and wife, and in front of us -stretched all-alluring vistas of life. - -We were driving away from the Cathedral, where the ceremony had been -held, in an open carriage--for neither of us wished to cheat the -cheering multitudes of their lawful rights--and as we passed along the -gaily decorated streets, under wonderful flag and flower effects, -through the dense masses of people, who were almost crazy with loyalty -and delight, I remember pressing Irma's hand in encouragement. This was -no mean ordeal which we were going through, especially for her, as after -all she was an alien, of a race which so shortly before had been -hostile. - -Those splendid people of mine, they did not allow her to perceive that -she was a stranger to them, but shouted, "God save the Queen!" with all -their might, which was certainly great. - -Once she turned to me and said: - -"Oh, Victor, what dears they are, I know I shall love them all." - -And there was I, laughing and bowing, and feeling, if it can be -believed, extremely wise, and not a bit of a fool. - -I felt pleased that the marriage had been delayed by etiquette, for it -had given my subjects time to become used to the idea of having a -Bornian Princess for their Queen. It is quite safe to say that we were -both supremely happy, a feeling which seemed to be universal. And yet -there was one man in the crowd to whom my kingship was hateful, that is -the only reason I can assign for his action. - -We had reached a street narrower than the others which we had passed -through, for we had extended our return from the Cathedral so that as -many people as possible might see us, and when for one moment we -slackened our pace on account of the terrific crowd--which was almost -more than the police and troops could manage to restrain--a man suddenly -raised his arm and hurled a bomb at us. I did not see the movement -myself, as I was looking the other way; but Irma did, and threw herself -in front of me to offer her body as a shield for me. Luckily it missed -us both, for it was ill-aimed, and, passing right over the carriage, -struck and burst. - -There was a terrible explosion, and for a moment I could not think what -had happened, for the wheels of our carriage were smashed, and this -caused us to bump heavily on the ground, a motion that shook us both -considerably. I clambered to my feet stricken suddenly with appalling -rage; had the man who was responsible been near, I am convinced that I -should have choked him to death. Perhaps, poor brute, it would have -been better for him; for, as I glared round, the crowd fell on the -would-be assassin, and literally tore him to pieces. - -The soldiers and police were powerless, but I am glad to say the cries -of anger drowned those more ghastly to listen to. As it was, I did my -best to prevent Irma hearing, or seeing; and in this I was successful. - -My escort had been pressed away from the carriage, and the people surged -around, yelling and screaming in their dismay; only for a minute, as the -horses of the Guards thrust them heavily aside, and once more took their -places round the carriage. I heard Woolgast's voice: - -"Your Majesties are safe, unhurt? Ah, God be praised!" - -"Both quite unhurt, but get one of the other carriages here quickly." - -I clambered on to the box seat of the carriage, and shouted at the top -of my voice that we were unhurt, and that those who heard must pass the -news on, and also let us through. My voice must have been heard by -many, for a very little time elapsed before my mother's coach was at our -side. For one instant her arms were round my neck, and then they were -assisting Irma in beside her. - -My darling's face was white, but she smiled bravely at me as they drove -off. Then I took one of the trooper's horses, and was just about to -mount when it struck me that some one might have been injured. I asked -Woolgast, and his face was grave as he told me that two of the people -had been killed, and three Guardsmen injured. I gave what orders were -necessary, and, sad with a sadness the like of which I had never felt -before, I mounted and rode on. - -What a terrible change had come over the day! From the most joyous -mirth, it had turned to the most gloomy despair. All those cheering -multitudes how had only sorrowful looks to bestow upon their King. I -rode therefore in almost complete silence, and I am afraid that I myself -was as dejected a monarch as anyone could see, for the horror of the -tragedy had struck me hard, and I could not forget that blood had been -spilt almost on the bridal robe of my Queen. During that slow journey -through the serried ranks of my subjects, who stood uncovered in mute -sympathy, I tried to find some reason for the awful action; I knew of no -one who could bear me personally any grudge. The nobles whom I had -exiled had returned to their estates long before, without any -confiscations, and I did not believe that any of them could be guilty. - -Those of my subjects who had suffered under Ivan had had their wrongs -righted with far more celerity than they could have expected. These, -too, I judged were guiltless; and, as I could think of no one whom I had -injured, I put the crime down as the work of an anarchical fanatic with -a loathing for monarchical government. - -The only thought which brightened me was that my wife had given proofs -of her love, by trying to screen me. - -I had seen many terrible sights during the late war, but had never been -so affected as I was now, it seemed so useless and unnecessary. I -feared, too, that Irma would be quite stricken down by the shock, for it -must have been a terrible strain on her nervous system, to be so quiet -and brave through the whole affair. - -My mother's carriage had reached the Palace some time before I did, so -that the confusion, which no doubt existed, had had time to quieten -down. This was largely due to the efforts of Zeula, who had forced his -way through the crowds, and arrived at the Palace by side streets. - -He was terribly upset, but he had the presence of mind to order for me -the thing which I badly needed, a stiff brandy and soda. With all the -haste that I could make, I went to see my wife, whom I found in my -mother's care, and that meeting was a revelation to me; I had had no -idea of the extent of her love. I think that the tears she shed were -probably the most beneficial way of relieving her pent-up emotion, at -any rate she recovered sufficiently to take her place by my side to show -ourselves to the crowds which stood anxiously outside. I am not a -believer in the adage that "out of evil cometh good," but in this case -it certainly did, for the people had been struck by her demeanour, and -were proud of their new Queen, a feeling which soon turned to love, as -they got to know her better. - -I shall never forget the graciousness of her manner to the Head of the -Police when he came to tender his resignation. Many people were blaming -him for the occurrence, even some of the Ministers. The poor fellow -broke down completely, when Irma, having asked my permission to deal -with his case, refused absolutely to hear of his resignation, and -declared that there should be no one made scapegoat for an incident -which could not have been foreseen. She made a point, too, of letting -others see her friendly attitude towards the official, with so much -grace and tact, that he went away happy, and quite devoted to his new -Queen. - -I had caused inquiries to be made concerning the two murdered men, one a -baker of Karena, the other a peasant from near Bavla; the latter case -was extremely sad, for he had walked, with his newly-wed wife, all the -way from his village to the capital, to see us; it was their bridal -treat, their honeymoon, and what an ending! The only thing I could do, -was to provide handsomely for their dependents. - -The three Guardsmen, who luckily were only slightly injured, received -promotion and a sum of money. As for the criminal, it was never -discovered who he was, although everything was done to find out his -name, and to know whether he had accomplices. I believe myself that the -whole affair was the work of his own disordered brain, and that he -planned and executed his project entirely by himself. Mr. Neville, -however, advanced a theory, which may have had some foundation, and -which led to a confession from him. - -It was the same day, only very much later, when, having dined _en -famille_, I went with Prince Zeula and Mr. Neville into my study to talk -the affair over. I had given orders that it should not be mentioned -before my wife, as the sooner it was forgotten by her the better, a -course of conduct which my mother emphatically endorsed, and it was into -her care that I had given Irma. - -I had waited behind to kiss a last good night to my wife, so that Zeula -and Mr. Neville had time to reach my study, where they waited. It was -then that I heard Mr. Neville say: - -"I think it would be wise to tell him." - -"What is that?" I asked. - -"Neville has a theory," said Zeula. - -"But only a theory, there is absolutely nothing to connect the two -things." - -"Which two things, what are you talking about?" - -"Well, Victor, I will tell you. I hope, however, that you will not take -it amiss. It is this: you remember the writer of a certain article in a -Sonale paper; I was wondering whether he had had anything to do with the -affair of to-day." - -"I don't follow you." - -"Well, you see, it was I who thrashed him, and I was wondering whether -he had found out who I was and so implicated you. Perhaps he thought -that I was acting for you." - -"I'm damned! So it was you who forestalled me, was it? That's where -you had gone when I could get no trace of you that day, I'm glad it was -you and nobody else, but how did you know about it at all?" - -"I told him, Victor; and, as I myself could not go, he was only too -happy to volunteer." - -"But why go at all?" - -They did not answer me; and after a minute I smiled, and held out my -hands to the two of them. - -"I don't mind confessing now that you were right, and I am glad that I -did not have to do it." - -There was evident relief in their voices when they spoke again, asking -me what I thought of the theory. - -"I don't think that he is responsible. Of course he may be, but I think -it unlikely; still, if you think proper, you could have some discreet -inquiries made by the police." - - * * * * * - -The next day my wife and I departed on our honeymoon, and for ten days -we forgot everything. We had elected to spend our time, hidden from the -world, in a castle in Soctia near the sea-coast. It was one of the -Royal residences, which had not been used for years, and which before -then had served more as a hunting-lodge than as a Palace. It was an old -château, with many towers and turrets, delightfully picturesque, and -undoubtedly uncomfortable. I had had this place put into thorough -repair, and thither we went with just as small a retinue as we could -well take. - -I did not think it was possible for a human being to feel so happy, at -times it seemed to choke me. Irma was all that my mind could conceive, -or my heart desire; there was between us the most perfect understanding, -as though our lives had been lived together through countless centuries. -Each seemed to know instinctively the wishes and thoughts of the other, -and our minds intermingled smoothly and perfectly. There were, -apparently, no rough edges to be worn off. - -We refused to think of state matters, during that short period; and, -when the courier arrived each day with letters from Prince Zeula, it was -only as if I had dreamt of such things, and they were forgotten before -he had gone from our sight with the replies. - -The country around the château was some of the most beautiful to be -found in Rudarlia, and some days we spent the sunny hours in riding out -exploring, as free from care as two children. Then, in the evenings, we -would sit on the terrace which we liked most and watch the night. - -I wonder how many people know the charm and understand the mystery of a -warm summer's evening. I daresay a great number, but it seemed to us -that nobody but ourselves could properly appreciate it, as, sitting side -by side on a stone bench, we would watch the last lights die out in the -sky, and the mantle of night descend on nature. - -The sounds, too, fascinated us, those mysterious murmurings for all the -world like those of a slumbering child. We spoke seldom, preferring to -sit hand in hand, in silence, until the moon crept into view, showing -us, as it were, another world--quiet, peaceful, silvery, and almost more -enchantingly beautiful than the day. - -We were, no doubt, absurd, but I am glad to think that we were, that in -spite of strenuous lives before us--and in my case behind as well--we -could still forget everything in each other's love, and look out on the -world with the pleased, expectant eyes of children; I believe we could -imagine fairies in the depths of the forest, or nymphs playing in the -streams. - -It was on the eleventh day of our stay in this place, that we received -notification that the outside world did really exist; we were brought -back abruptly to our everyday senses, by the sight of a number of men -toiling up a somewhat steep hill which led to the château. We were on -the top of one of the towers, and from there had an extensive view of -the surrounding country. - -"Oh, Victor, look at those people! Do you think they want to see us? -because if so I must go and arrange my hair." - -A remark which might lead people to imagine that the King of Rudarlia -was a very ordinary young husband after all. - -The men in question did wish to see us, for presently we were informed -that a deputation from a neighbouring village desired to pay us their -respectful homage. - -"This is the beginning of the end, my Queen, and how little do those -honest fellows know with what thoughts we watched their approach. Of -course, I might order their heads to be cut off; but, if I did, no one -would do it, so you see how impotent your husband really is." - -"Poor fellows, they must be very hot and thirsty, and I think it is -charming of them to come all this way to see us." - -"So do I, but I did not wish to be disturbed." - -"Nor did I, there are such beautiful views from up here." - -As we had spent most of the time looking at each other, hers was a -remark which made me laugh, which she had probably intended. - -Some twenty minutes later, Irma and I appeared on the terrace where the -men had assembled. They were to my mind very brave, and tried manfully -to hide their nervousness. One of them, who wore the sash of Mayor, -advanced towards us with many bows. - -He was, he informed us, the Mayor of the village, and had been begged by -a number of citizens to head a deputation, which desired to express -their joy at our escape, and to thank us for the honour we did them by -choosing their province, and their part of the province to stay in, -etc., etc. - -He ended a speech, which must have taken him a long time to learn by -heart, by very gracefully begging us to accept a trifling token of their -loyalty, in the shape of two small silver articles made by the village -metal worker. - -He handed me two boxes, in one of which was a really beautiful brooch of -silver and turquoise matrix, and in the other a box, almost equally -beautiful, of the same materials. - -Both Irma and myself were absolutely amazed at the artistic merit of -these things, as well as at the cleverness of the workmanship. - -I turned to the Mayor, who stood by seeking to read in our faces our -opinion of the gift; he could not have found much difficulty, for both -of us were literally astounded. - -"Did you say these were made in your village?" - -"Yes, your Majesty, by my nephew, a young man who does nothing else." - -"I should like to see him, these works of his are very good indeed." - -"He is here, may it please your Majesty." - -"Present him to me." - -A young fellow, assisted by sundry nudges, detached himself from the -group behind the Mayor, and stood respectfully hat in hand. - -"Are you the metal worker responsible for these?" - -"Yes, your Majesty." - -"Then let me tell you that you have a great gift, and that the Queen and -I accept them with very much pleasure. When you go, leave your name and -address, so that I may send for you." - -Irma had pinned on the brooch, and was talking to the Mayor; so I moved -over to the other men and shook hands with all, thanking them for their -kind thoughts of us, complimenting them on possessing so skilful a -craftsman in their village, and assuring them that we should never -forget their visit. - -One of them--an old man--told me that he had seen the marriage -procession of my parents, but that ill-health had prevented him seeing -mine. However, he thanked God for allowing him to see me and my -beautiful Queen before he died; and he hoped that his sons would see my -sons married. The good man was slightly previous, and wonderfully -loyal. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIX* - - -When the deputation had seen enough of us, and refreshed themselves -mightily, they went away much pleased with the result of their visit. I -am sure that some of them would remember all their lives that they had -spoken to their King and Queen; it would give them something to talk -about in their old age, as well as a feeling of importance amongst their -less fortunate fellows. - -It is a wonderful thing that rarity should add so much to the value of -anything. - -When we were alone again, Irma and I began to re-examine the two gifts, -but, strangely enough, both of us were silent as though in thought. It -may have been the art shown in the work, or it may have been something -which I can never hope to explain, at any rate from that silent scrutiny -sprang an idea, which in its maturity was a source of many emotions. -From a little thing, like the visit of that day, a great thing sprang -forth, and incidentally my life was expanded. - -I had a nebulous scheme, a thought hardly formed, somewhere in my brain, -as I stood and looked at the brooch and box; and it required the -feminine quickness to supply the concrete expression of it. My wife -said: - -"The art of Rudarlia, what might it become?" - -"You had better tell me what you are thinking," I said. - -"I am thinking that Rudarlia may be famous for its art life, if you care -to make it so." - -"But I know so little of art. The only knowledge I have of the subject -is entirely superficial; I've never had time to study it as it should be -studied." - -"Grey-haired Monarch." - -"Is my wisdom so great?" - -"No, oh King! that was not my thought." - -"But do you think that I shall ever have time to study the question? -You must remember that here in Rudarlia we have none of the great -collections that other countries have. One small gallery is all that -Karena boasts of." - -"Can you give me a reason why she should not have more?" - -"Not if you say that she is to have." - -"Oh, Victor, let us spend this evening planning out what we might do, or -rather what we can." - -So that evening we sat on the terrace as usual, and instead of wasting -the time--if it can be so harshly described--we tried to work out some -way of encouraging art in Rudarlia. It was a most puzzling question, -for there was always the danger of overdoing the assistance we could -give to artists, as well as the chance of offending their -susceptibilities by what they might look upon as charity; they are so -very difficult to tackle, these people with artistic temperaments. - -It was, however, a most interesting conversation, during which I -discovered that my wife had much more knowledge of the subject under -discussion than I had; and later I found that she herself was very fond -of dabbling in various mediums, with a considerable amount of success. - -We practically decided that night to found a colony devoted to the arts -in Karena, and I knew just whereabouts that colony would have its -quarters. - -There was considerable risk, to my mind, in this idea of ours. Art to a -nation is, I suppose, almost a necessity in some shape or other, but it -must be controlled, either by the artists themselves or by the force of -public opinion. Now in Karena, which we proposed to make the heart of -our art world, public opinion was practically _non est_. The reasons -for this being the want of wealth, and the want of artists. I should -have felt much more secure with regard to our scheme, if I had been -certain that the people really needed the fine arts to assist them in -living. - -I was quite well aware that the growth of proper appreciation must be -very gradual, and it seemed to us that the chief point was how to lay -the foundations well. It was no good thinking of taking the few -Rudarlians who called themselves artists, and giving them unlimited -paint, or clay, or pianos, to work their own sweet will upon, for that -must lead to either rank imitation, or work of the crudest kind. We -should thus be obtaining no benefit, for there were many worthless daubs -to be seen, although not all by Rudarlians. - -Our honeymoon drew to a close, two weeks of the most perfect joy that I -have ever known; it was so, because I had nothing to do except devote -myself to Irma, afterwards it was never quite the same, as I had other -things to attend to. - -For a little time after our return nothing was done about our scheme, -that is, nothing definite, but all the while we were both working out, -to the best of our ability, the details. - -I had known just whereabouts I wished the art settlement to be, but it -was only owing to the death of the man who owned the place that I was -able to buy it. - -The property I speak of was at the back of the Palace, and consisted of -the most ancient houses in the city. These houses were practically cut -off from the rest of Karena; on one side by the Palace walls, or rather -those of the grounds, on another by an extraordinary outcropping of -rock, while on the third--for the whole was in the form of a -triangle--ran a small canal. - -The only way of getting to this place was by means of a bridge over the -canal, unless one climbed the walls of my gardens, or was lowered from -the top of the rock. This place therefore was a perfect nest, and -really ideal for our settlement. - -How it had remained so, untouched by the spirit of modernity, was always -a puzzle to me. The moment the bridge over the canal was crossed, I -felt as though I had stepped from the twentieth into the fifteenth -century. I do not believe there was a single modern building in the -place; everywhere one looked, it was mediæval. - -I remember the first time that we went there after having purchased it, -just Irma, my mother, Mr. Neville, and myself, and we enjoyed it -thoroughly. There had been few people living in the houses, which had -not been cared for, and these few were only too pleased to turn out of -their quarters for a consideration. - -We therefore found the place absolutely deserted, save for a few -pigeons, and cats who would not desert their old haunts. - -The doors of most of the houses had been left unlocked, so we went round -the narrow cobbled streets, entering those buildings which seemed most -desirable; some were really fine houses, with large rooms containing -great carved beams, leaded lights, and other delightful things. -Naturally, the outsides were in keeping, and no matter where we looked -we could see old door-ways, queer gargoyles, and little courtyards, the -walls of which would in all probability be covered with lichen. In some -parts, we seemed to be walking in a tunnel, so close were the houses to -one another, and occasionally, at the end of these streets, we caught -sight of the sunlit canal. I was very, very pleased with my purchase. - -As we walked and examined, we explained to my mother and Mr. Neville -what we proposed doing. - -I think that at first she, or rather they, thought that marriage had -made me a little mad; but as my explanation grew, both in length and -conciseness, they began to think that after all something might be said -for our idea. I told them that the houses should remain as they were, -but with modern improvements, and that when the necessary alterations -had been effected I proposed inviting artists of all kinds to come and -live there: painters, sculptors, composers, engravers, writers, and -metal workers. I then went on to draw most alluring visions of what I -hoped would be the result. I pictured all these various artists living -here much as they did in towns in the middle ages, working with the -certainty that any really meritorious piece of art would be more thought -of than a dozen inferior works, and that appreciation, consideration, -and understanding would go hand in hand with profit. - -Then I went on to tell them how I proposed having a gatehouse erected at -the canal bridge, and instal some old pensioner and family in it. - -"And how about feeding your colony?" asked Mr. Neville. - -"I intend having just a few shops, and shall have one inn; that old -place with the big hall, I think it will do as the dining-hall for -unmarried artists." - -"Where do you propose obtaining the artists you speak of?" - -"I don't know yet, but I do not think there will be much difficulty in -getting them to come here. I shall try the great art centres first, and -then the smaller ones; I shall invite the famous men to stay for as long -as they wish, and execute some splendid piece of work for Rudarlia." - -"Yes, Victor is going to have his portrait painted in the uniform of -each of his regiments; all the paintings will be collected in one -building, which will be called The Hall of the King, and I shall be -expected to spend so many hours a day there as a dutiful wife." A -remark strangely flippant for a newly-married Queen to make. - -My mother laughed, which was wrong of her, and said quietly: - -"From what I know of the portraits of Royalty, all the works would be so -much unlike each other that they would have to bear an identification -tablet." - -"How nice! I can imagine that I have ever so many different husbands, -and so need not get tired of one." - -"I can see that this will lead to a family quarrel, so will turn the -subject," said Mr. Neville. - -"You need not trouble," laughed my fond parent. "Victor will do that -himself, by letting loose a herd of wild artists in this peaceful -community." - -"Another thing that I shall do," I said, "is this: no Royal person shall -be allowed to come here without a special permit." - -"He would keep us out of Eden," murmured Irma. - -"Zeula with a brush full of paint shall keep the entrance." - -That was from Mr. Neville, so as I had them all against me I -surrendered. - -Now that we had possession of this place, it was not many weeks before -the workmen were in, for we did not want to lose time, being both young -enough to feel excited about our plans. I think it must be one of the -most terrible things in life, to lose the power of feeling excited. My -respect for architects grew enormously during the next few weeks, they -knew so much that I did not; for instance, it seemed to me the simplest -thing in the world to put pipes and things into a house to conduct water -from the main, but it appeared to be more difficult than I imagined, and -much discussion was necessary. I could not understand why, when there -was a blank wall, I could not have a window knocked through it, and I -finally came to the conclusion that a statesman of one of the great -powers--the Foreign Minister of England, for example--does not have to -be more careful than an architect knocking a window in a blank wall, so -as not to disturb the balance of power. - -Unless we had seen it ourselves we should never have believed that there -was so much to be done in the place. It was almost staggering, and yet -all the repairs and alterations were absolutely necessary; there were -rooms to be converted into studios, and workshops and a hundred smaller -alterations. It was a most wonderful hobby for both of us, not to speak -of many others who were interested in a lesser degree. I think Zeula -was almost as keen as we were, he spent hours in the vicinity; he had -liked the idea the moment he had heard of it, and had immediately -offered his services in any way we could use them. Another person who -spent much of his spare time there was Bauen, he could generally be -found keeping a watchful eye upon the workmen, and no doubt yarning with -them, and telling those who wished, wonderful tales of their King. - -I had had a gate made in the wall of the Palace gardens, and Irma and I -used to go down when the workmen had finished for the day, to see what -progress had been made, and what new arrangements we could suggest. -Then the day came when there was enough done to allow us to begin -filling our nest with birds. - -This we did slowly, with much deliberation, and with the assistance of -some of the great artists of the world, who most kindly offered to help -us. From reports which I received indirectly from the large centres, I -caused a list to be made of those artists to whom should be sent an -invitation to come to Karena. They were not all famous--in fact, there -were only a few to whom that term might be applied--but they were all of -an artistic calibre which made it possible for them to become so. - -From Rudarlia I had a goodly few, who were eager to profit by the -wonderful chance which this scheme of ours offered them, and the great -men were ever ready to take them into their studios, to instruct and -assist them. I had never realised how much goodness there was among -artists until then, I had always looked upon them as essentially selfish -people; but then I had known very few, and those, perhaps, bad examples. -It was a lesson to me not to misjudge a class by a few specimens. I -fear one is rather given to so doing. - -It was wonderful to watch the beginning of a settlement, the incoming, -the furnishing, and the gradual fall in the excitement; each new-comer -took his own time to get used to the place, and artists might be seen -all about Karena, gazing and exploring, but soon the first batch had -settled down, and work was commenced. - -From that time my education advanced along artistic lines, and I began -to understand something of the innermost strivings of those men who were -adding to the beauty of the world. - -Most days, I managed to visit the place for half an hour or so, and when -possible Irma accompanied me. Without any fuss or preparation we went -to this studio, or that workshop, and were greeted everywhere with -smiles, for these good people learnt to look upon us as friends, and -were always pleased to show us anything which they thought might -interest us; occasionally we made some little purchase, occasionally we -gave some bigger commission. - -There was one building reserved for exhibitions of paintings and -drawings, another for the crafts, while a large hall was generally full -of sculpture. These formed a permanent exhibition, although the work -exhibited was not always the same, as each month the artists had the -right to change their works there for others, and replace any that had -been sold. - -This exhibition was a source of great interest to Karenians, and others; -indeed, most visitors who came to the city were anxious to see the work -accomplished by my artists, as both Irma and myself called them, and -many of these visitors went away with purchases and few of them -apparently regretted the money spent. - -We set the fashion of giving works of art as presents, and I am glad to -be able to state that the fashion remains in full favour. - -The other artistic professions were not neglected, there being studios -set aside for musicians of all kinds, but I found it more difficult to -arrange a plan whereby the pecuniary side of their work might benefit. -I therefore arranged that each week a concert should be given, and also -that there should be a certain season when any of the masters might give -grand opera, the players, of course, being the students. Karena boasted -of an opera house; and, although I do not pose as an authority, I -believe the musical side of the Rudarlian life was rather highly -developed before this settlement came into being. - -Some six months after the place was in full working order, one of the -famous European artists, who happened to be staying as my guest, and who -was full of enthusiasm for the scheme, suggested that the lack of old -masters in Karena was a serious handicap for the students. I questioned -him closely on the subject, heard all he had to say, and then -interrogated others; the greater number agreed that a collection of the -works of the famous masters would be of incalculable value to the -artists generally. - -This was a new idea, and I must confess that it appealed to me; I think -that I wanted Karena to be able to boast also of a National Gallery, but -there were many things to be thought of before this could be undertaken. -The greatest difficulty was procuring the works themselves, how was that -possible even though I should desire it; many pictures are sold as old -masters, but there must be many fakes among them. Another thing was the -expense; I had no wish to invest a large sum of money in pictures, for -in a newly developing country like mine there were countless other ways -of spending money, with infinitely more advantage to the nation. What I -finally did was this: I let it be known all over Rudarlia that I would -provide a gallery, if the Rudarlians themselves would provide the -pictures, either as gifts to the nation or as loans. - -The result surprised me, I had had no idea that the artistic scheme -which Irma and I had originated had so taken the public fancy; but it -appeared that it had, and almost immediately I received notification -that there were a large number of nobles and others who would consider -it an honour to have their old pictures hung in the National Gallery in -Karena. It must have astonished many people to know that Rudarlia had -many authentic works of the great masters, men like Rubens, Rembrandt, -and Titian, stowed away in various old castles and châteaux. These were -offered generously by their owners, some as gifts, others as loans, so I -perforce had to keep to my promise and provide a suitable building for -the housing. This expense I looked upon as a most legitimate one, for -it gave work to a number of men, thus circulating money among the -working class, added to the beauty of Karena, and incidentally added to -the value of the city as an art centre. - -In building this gallery, I was determined to employ only Rudarlian -brains, labour, and materials, and so the first thing I did was to open -a competition among Rudarlian architects, all over the country, for the -best design for the proposed gallery. - -I did not judge these myself, but left the decision to a famous French -architect who was staying in Karena. I found that his choice was much -the same as Irma's and mine, so that design was decided upon, and the -architect who had submitted it was awarded the prize. Strange to say, -he was an absolutely unknown man from a small town in Garace. The next -thing, was to decide upon the builder, but this I left to others to -think about. - -We had chosen a site in an excellent position, near the Palace, and -therefore close to the settlement; and it was with a feeling almost akin -to awe that Irma laid the foundation stone. She told me of this feeling -and asked me to explain it, which was more than I could do, but I did -suggest that she was fearful of the effect the gallery might have on the -Rudarlians. - -At last the building was completed. What a day that was, it is simply -burnt upon my memory with ineffaceable delight, not because we were -going to open a National Gallery of Art, not because we had accomplished -something for Rudarlia, but because upon that day Irma told me -something; told me shyly, yet with a deep, wonderful pride, that I was -to be a father. - -We had then been married for three years, and I think that all the -nation worried that no child had been born to us. In my heart, I, too, -had been rather despondent, for so much hung upon our having a family, -and more powerful still was my desire to hold my own child in my arms. - -I believe that all those who came in contact with me that day thought -that I was a little too exhilarated at thoughts of opening a gallery; -they put it down to that, poor dears, not knowing what the real reason -was. In all probability, a thousand husbands feel just the same every -time such news is broken to them, but then I would not have allowed -that; I was bursting with pride, and an insane desire to take every one -into my confidence. - -What an absurd thing young human nature is, that is, when it is natural -and nice--and I was both. - -I remember nothing of the opening ceremony, except that various speeches -were made and a great number of people cheered themselves hoarse when -Irma and I appeared. Irma told me afterwards, so did Mr. Neville, so -did Zeula, so did my mother, that my speech convulsed every one who -heard it; that I had appeared in a new rôle: that of a wit. I should -never have believed them, had they not made me read the report of what I -had said, which appeared in the newspaper. It certainly was humorous, -but I have never attempted to repeat it, rather luckily, too, in my -opinion. - -It was in connection with this gallery, that I instituted a new Order in -Rudarlia: the Order of Merit. - -Ever since my accession, I had been thinking in a half-hearted fashion -of doing so, but now I made up my mind that such an Order would be most -useful to reward those Rudarlians who served the state in either a -direct or indirect manner. I wished if possible to widen the area of -such a distinction, not only to confine it to the professions. Any man -who by his labour served Rudarlia might be entitled to receive the -Order, but the different labours must be kept apart from one another; I -mean, by that, that a soldier wearing the Order must be distinguishable -from the great lawyer, and so on. This I did by using different -coloured ribbons. All men with the right to wear the distinction were -to be known as Chevalier. They and their wives had also the right to -appear at Court. - -For this I received some abuse, no doubt, but I shall always maintain -that class distinction, based on birth alone, is a mistake, and -calculated to work a tremendous amount of mischief. That a man who -employs thousands of other men to make articles, or raise food, for the -nation, should be looked down upon by those whose ancestors fought for -their country and were ennobled is wrong. - -So many people do not realise that national service is not necessarily -performed only by fighting. And those same people do not realise that -times have changed; they do not wish to advance with the civilisation of -their country, never thinking that the rich man of to-day may be the -founder of a noble family which shall do much for the honour and -advancement of their land. I do not deny, however, that the said noble -family may, in a hundred years or so, look down and sneer at their less -highly placed neighbours; but then human nature is very funny if you -think about it, and extremely illogical. - -There must be expansion in everything, and in such a country as -Rudarlia, where classes exist, I hold that the noble class is all the -stronger and better for the introduction into its ranks of all types of -brains, that is, of course, the finer types; I do not suggest criminal -types, or fools, or even sentimentalists, for as a rule such types are -not unknown among the denizens of the aristocracy in all countries. It -was my wish, therefore, to obtain this fresh blood in the titled -families by choosing recruits from the ranks of those who had achieved. - -For the first few months that followed the opening of the gallery, I do -not believe there ever was a happier monarch than myself. It became -almost a disease, and, strange to say, nearly all those who surrounded -me caught the complaint. My mother at thought of possessing a -grandchild was almost delirious with joy. Zeula was worse; he began to -talk to me upon every occasion when we were alone about my heir, and to -wonder about his education, his names, every conceivable thing which -could be imagined. And I liked it, and encouraged him. At first we were -both prone to talk as though the sex of the child were known; we always -spoke of it as masculine, until Mr. Neville put us right by suggesting -mildly that it might happen to be a girl, he had heard of such cases, he -said. I will own that at his remark both Zeula and myself were rather -taken aback, but after the first few minutes we went on quite calmly -making our plans for a girl. Oh, the castles in the air we all built, -and what a fascinating pastime it was. - -About this time I had a letter from Carruthers. I have it still, -occasionally I read it as an antidote, for it brings back something -which I might with reason wish to forget. I used to take--and do still, -for that matter--great pride in being beloved by my people, and I used -to flatter myself that there was no one who could come and say to me, -with truth, "Look at my misery, the result of this or that action of -yours." Once before, on the day of my marriage, I had experienced a -severe shock to this pride of mine, but now I was as bad as ever. The -second shock, however, opened my eyes to the fact that a king can always -find some one who believes that the monarch has used him ill. So it was -in my case. - -Carruthers' letter ran: - - -"MY DEAR OLD SPLOSH, - -"A very curious thing has happened, which has caused me a lot of worry. - -"Last week I received a letter from a woman whose name is unknown to me, -asking for an interview. She informed me that what she wanted to tell -me was serious, and might affect you. I saw her. The interview was -interesting; as she appears to look upon you as some one divine, I did -not disabuse her mind. She told me that you had assisted her to return -home to England after Ivan's death, and other things, one of which was, -that having heard my name used in connection with yours, she imagined -that I could tell you her tale more easily than she could herself. It -was this: A man had been to her farm for work, and had in the course of -his stay uttered many threats against you as the cause of his downfall. -From what he said the woman seemed to think that he was an illegitimate -son of the late Ivan, and who had been left destitute on his father's -death. She described him as being a very powerful man, dark, with a -fierce wild expression. The details are meagre enough, but look out for -such a man, see if your Ministers know of him. Don't take risks by -ignoring this, for I am convinced that the woman was absolutely genuine. -I've a jolly good mind to chuck the army, and come and look after you -myself." - - -I did not ignore this warning, I spoke to Zeula, Woolgast, and the head -of the police about it, but I fettered them by binding them to secrecy, -as I did not wish the slightest rumour to reach Irma's ears. Having -spoken to these men, I must confess that the warning faded from my -memory; luckily, the others did not forget so easily. They, it seemed, -had an anxious time. Zeula told me that before Ivan had usurped the -throne he had had a son by a peasant woman, but this child had -disappeared. - - - - - *CHAPTER XX* - - -Herr Bjornston, the eminent Swedish sculptor, to this day blames himself -mightily for what happened; so do Woolgast, the Chief of Police, Prince -Zeula, Mr. Neville, and others, whereas the only person to blame is -myself, and I don't blame myself over-much. Perhaps I was negligent, -since I had been warned; it may have been conceit on my part not to take -precautions, but, as I have already stated, I knew of no one who bore me -a grudge with reason. - -On this occasion I had, as was my habit, gone alone to the settlement to -pass an hour before settling down to a bout of work with Zeula. I did -not know then that, every time I did this, my dear old servant Bauen -kept me under surveillance. He always shadowed me from the Palace to -the settlement, watched where I entered and waited patiently until I -reappeared; so often had he done this that he knew I never stayed more -than fifteen minutes in any studio. It is to this knowledge of his that -I owe my life. - -It was a glorious evening, and I wandered down to the house in which -Herr Bjornston had his studio. How wonderful it is that everything seems -mapped out in life; I remember hesitating on the door-step, undecided -whether to go in there or to some other studio. I was in two minds -whether I should not go to a young Englishman's place to order a small -picture which I wanted to give away, but I decided that the morrow would -do for that, as the artist might be out; I therefore rapped at -Bjornston's door. - -It was flung open, and I stepped in. The door was closed behind me. I -was in what was perhaps the finest studio in the place, a really -magnificent room, but it was empty save for the man who had admitted me -and myself. - -"Is not Herr Bjornston in, then?" I asked. - -"I expect him every minute, your Majesty. He had a message which called -him away an hour ago; he told me that he would return at half-past -nine." - -I looked at my watch, it was already past the quarter. - -"You think he will return then?" - -"Undoubtedly, your Majesty; Herr Bjornston is never late." - -"Then I will wait." - -There was a wooden chair placed near a table upon which was a lamp and -various sketch-books, so I sat down and commenced to turn some pages at -random. I had not given any particular attention to the man who had -admitted me, but glancing at him casually I noticed that his eyes were -covered or rather veiled by a green shade; he was a bearded, thick-set -fellow. He advanced towards me with a portfolio in his hands. - -"Perhaps your Majesty might be interested in these sketches?" - -"Thank you," I said, smiling. "You suffer with your eyes?" - -"Nothing serious, your Majesty, a trifle weak, that is all." - -"I have not seen you before, have I?" - -"I only came here last week, your Majesty." - -"You assist Herr Bjornston perhaps?" - -"He was kind enough to give me employment when one of his regular men -fell sick." - -"Oh, indeed, you are not a student then?" - -"I was once, your Majesty; but fortune deserted me, and I became through -necessity a labourer." - -"That is sad, perhaps your luck may improve in the future." - -"I hope so, your Majesty." - -"What made you come to Karena?" - -"I had heard of your Majesty's generosity to all artists, and thought -that there might be work for me. I always like to be at work in some -studio." - -"Have you any of your own efforts with you?" - -"Unfortunately, no, your Majesty." - -"Well, we must see what you can do; there is always room for talent -here." - -"I thank your Majesty most sincerely." - -I opened the portfolio, and the man withdrew. The sketches were of -absorbing interest, most of them being the slight personal things an -artist sometimes values more than his finished pictures. All were good; -evidently Herr Bjornston had spent a great many years getting them -together, as some of them were dated ten or twelve years previously. -Most of them bore signatures famous throughout the world. I was so -interested that I forgot all about the time, and it was only when I had -looked at the last sketch, that I remembered, and pulled out my -watch--good heavens, it was a quarter to ten! I closed the portfolio, -and sat back in the chair to push it away from the table. Herr Bjornston -was very late in spite of his man's assurances; still, it did not -matter, I had had a pleasant visit, and there was nothing of importance -that I wished to say to him. - -Something seemed to be entwining my feet. I bent forward to see what it -was, and immediately was pulled violently back into the chair. My -surprise was so great that for a moment I could do nothing, and that -moment was the finishing touch to my undoing, for the noose which had -been slipped over my shoulders was pulled tight and fresh coils made -round me; then I felt my feet being drawn together and realised that I -was helpless. - -I turned my head round and glared at my assailant, but the sight of his -eyes--which he had now uncovered--caused Carruthers' warning to recur to -me, and I understood without any further assault that I was in a devil -of a fix. - -"Untie these ropes at once." - -"Your Majesty is pleased to jest." - -"You will find it no jesting matter." - -"You speak of the future; perhaps your Majesty will have a clearer -vision to appreciate this position." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I don't quite know, never having been to the place to which your -Majesty is going." - -"Don't be foolish, my man; untie this rope and I will be lenient with -you." - -He drew up another chair in front of me and sat gazing into my eyes. I -returned stare for stare, but I will confess to feeling very much -afraid. The situation was so very unpleasant. What a fool I had been -not to take precautions, I should have known that all of Ivan's breed -were dangerous. I was flabbergasted, I did not know what to say to the -fellow, what argument can one use to a madman? More important still was -how to get away, how to be rescued, for it was quite impossible for me -to loosen the ropes that bound me. I could call for help, but no one -would hear me. Still, there was always a chance that some one would; so -I let out a yell that ought to have awakened the settlement. - -Unfortunately it did not; and the only good I got from it was a gag, -which effectively put an end to my making sufficient noise to attract -attention. Luck was against me, for only a few minutes after the gag -had been applied some one rapped at the door. I tried hard to make some -kind of appeal for assistance, but it was futile, and I had to sit there -and listen to the knocking. Presently the person, whoever it was, gave -up, and with a sinking heart I heard the sound of his footsteps dying -away. - -The man still sat facing me, with a beastly smile on his lips; no doubt -he was overjoyed to see my struggles. Presently, however, he began to -speak in a low voice hardly above a whisper; and somehow that added to -the horror of my position. - -"I am glad I stopped your mouth in time; it would have hurt me to have -finished everything before you have realised things more fully. And if -my time had been cut short by any interruption from outside, your -Majesty would naturally never have known all that I intend telling you, -all those details which will make your journey to Paradise so pleasant. - -"Have you any preference as to where I should begin? Perhaps you would -like to know who I am. Well, that is soon told; I am the son of the man -you had murdered, you did not know that Ivan the King had a son, did -you? He had, perhaps more than one, for he was rather given to -promiscuous love affairs; but only one need worry you--I shall be quite -sufficient. - -"I know how my father died, Prince Alexis told me; I know he was always -a liar, but he told the truth about this. When I heard, I swore that -you should pay for it. Since then your debt has been mounting up, for I -was left destitute, and think how long that was ago, and imagine my -misery all those years, having to do any manual labour that I could -obtain, in order to keep from starving. You have to pay for all that. - -"The most difficult thing I ever had to do was to keep my face from -portraying my delight when you walked in so sweetly this evening. I -have been trying to get near you for years, and at last luck has been -kind to me; nothing could have worked out so well if it had been -planned. To begin with, that old fool Bjornston is out for the night, -out of Karena even, and the other two assistants are after their -lady-loves. It is hardly likely that the two fair Karenians will allow -them to return, or at any rate until our little business is over." - -He stood up and moved away behind my chair, so that I could not see what -he was doing; but I heard him moving about. Then he came back again, in -his hands a rope, and at the end of the rope a heavy mass of stone. - -"Do you see this, your Majesty, can you guess what it is for?" - -I looked at it, then at him, and raising my eyebrows turned my head -aside, then quickly back again. God! how lucky that he was examining -the knot in the rope, for had he been looking at me he must have noticed -my nervous start, a movement that I could not control, for I could have -sworn that I had seen a face at the window. I shook my head from side -to side, and caught another glimpse of the window, but there was no face -there, and my spirits, which had gone bounding up, dropped like a stone. -So, then, there was really no hope for me, there was no way out, and I -was doomed to die just when life was at its fullest, just when the -greatest of all my hopes was to be fulfilled. I turned sick with -despair at the thought of the effect my disappearance would have upon my -wife. The man was talking again: - -"It will serve a good purpose, and keep you down nicely." - -His cursed calmness caused the most beastly twinges of an unpleasant -nature, which I can only call fear, I do not think there is anything to -be ashamed of in confessing it. I was young and did not wish to die, -and yet I must give no sign which would add to his delight, he must not -perceive that I was frightened. I had strained at the rope which held -me until I found that all my efforts seemed to make it tighter, and so I -gave up and sat still to wait for death. - -"I hope you have confessed yourself lately. Personally, I do not believe -in a God; but your Majesty has the reputation of being devout. Perhaps -you have some little message you would like to leave; if that is the -case you must give me your promise not to call out, and I will remove -the gag; is it to be so?" - -I nodded, there might be a chance if I could talk. I could at least try -to bribe him, try to ransom myself. If he were not too mad, there might -be a chance. His fingers were busy and a moment later I was free to -talk. - -He looked at his watch. By this time Prince Zeula must be awaiting me. -I wondered what he would do--and Mr. Neville? They would never give up -the search for me, my body would doubtless be discovered, but what good -would that do me? None whatever. - -"You will observe, your Majesty, that I have given you ample time to -make your peace with your God. Would it please you to give me any -message to deliver? I assure you that I will be a faithful messenger." - -"You are determined then to murder me?" - -"A rough word, surely your Majesty means execute." - -"I give you my word that your father died a natural death." - -"He naturally died, you mean." - -"I mean what I said." - -"Then, for the first time in my life, I call a King a liar to his face; -it is quite an amusing sensation." - -"I am not a liar; but no matter, now listen to me. You are going to -murder me----" - -"Execute." - -"Execute, then, if you will. What I wish to know is--how will it -benefit you, will you be any the less destitute? No! whereas if you -allow me to ransom myself----" - -"Ransom yourself? Well, I should have to dictate the terms." - -"Of course, what are they?" - -"The remaining years of your life." He laughed. "Now I think that is -enough; what message do you wish to send?" - -"A hundred thousand pounds would make you very comfortable for the rest -of your life." - -"But not as comfortable as your death." - -"Two hundred thousand and no questions asked, with absolute freedom." - -"No terms except the ones I mentioned. Come now, the message for the -Queen; it is for her, eh? Not that it is much good, because you will be -able to give it to her yourself in a little while." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Softly, softly! That was very like a shout, and remember you gave your -word; my kind thought of sending your wife to you seems to have upset -you somewhat." - -"You cursed devil!" - -This was the final stroke, and I strained like a madman at my bonds. My -head was turned away with the effort, and the window again came within -my range of vision; but this time I closed my eyes, so that he could not -read the hope which must have been in them. I could have shouted with -the terrible exertion I had to make to avoid giving any sign, for the -window, which before had been closed, was now wide open, and my old -Bauen creeping through it. To this day, I cannot imagine how he had -managed to open the window without betraying his presence. Another -struggle, and through my half-opened eyes I saw Bauen come creeping -slowly up behind. I realised that I must make as much noise as I could -to hide any sound he might make, as he had only a knife, and the other -his revolver. - -"I will give you one minute more," I heard him say, and he began to -count. - -Ten--twenty--thirty--at ninety I toppled the chair over sideways, coming -down with a crash, and losing sight of him. There was the sound of a -terrific struggle on the other side of the table; the revolver barked -three times, I felt a stinging in my leg and heard curses, the sound of -blows, and moans. Then there was silence. - -"Bauen, Bauen," I called. - -"Your Majesty?" came the answer, to my joy. - -"Are you hurt, Bauen, can you come and cut me free?" - -"No, your Majesty, I cann----" There was a little sigh and then silence -again. - -A loud, insistent knocking at the door now drew my attention, and I -raised my voice: - -"Break down the door." - -I lay quiet after that, and presently round the table crawled Bauen. He -dragged his leg painfully, and his face was covered with blood; but he -kept on until he reached my side, when he put his lips to my hand and -rolled over motionless. - -There was a tremendous crash, another, and the door flew open. For a -moment those outside hesitated to enter, but when I called to them to -cut me loose they swarmed in. Very carefully they lifted Bauen, and -placed him on a settee in a corner of the studio. - -The moment that I was free I gave orders for a surgeon to be sent for, -also I gave orders that no one was to leave the settlement, for I did -not wish any false rumour to reach the Palace. - -The surgeon came almost before I could turn to see how Bauen was. A few -minutes sufficed to allay my anxiety; his wounds were serious but not -dangerous, and under the skilful treatment he received he recovered -sufficiently to recognise me, and seeing me safe would, I knew, go a -long way towards effecting his speedy recovery. - -Ivan's son was dead, Bauen's knife had reached his heart. I cannot -bring myself to feel the least pity for the man, he must have been bad -to the core. His crime would have been carried out to a successful -conclusion, had he not overlooked or forgotten one small incident. A -barge had been moored up against the house to unload a big block of -marble, otherwise Bauen could never have reached the window. As it was, -upon obtaining no reply to his knocking, he had run along the bank of -the canal and swum across to the barge, from where he could look into -the room. Upon seeing my predicament, for a moment he had intended to -raise the alarm, but, fearing that by doing so he might cause my instant -death, he had resolved instead to try and rescue me himself, -single-handed. His great fear had been that some noise would betray -him; luckily for both of us it didn't, and he sprang, just as the man's -finger was about to pull the trigger. - -As soon as the surgeon had made Bauen comfortable, I got him to look at -my own leg, and found that the ball had gone through the calf, a clean -flesh wound which would heal without trouble. It had been a random -shot, for the table-cloth had prevented my being seen, but it shows the -terrible hatred that the man had borne me, for him to have wasted a shot -on the off-chance of causing my death, and only a moment before Bauen's -knife had done its work. - -Directly I was bandaged, leaning on the arm of a student, I hobbled into -the Palace gardens. I shall never forget the enthusiasm of the -crowd--of every nationality--who had gathered in the settlement, to -evince their joy at my escape; it was very nice to have the affection of -all those good fellows. Luckily, I met Woolgast coming to seek me, -Zeula having thought it necessary; into his hands I put the affair, but -first I sent him back to the Palace to warn Zeula and others not to make -a fuss when I appeared. I did not wish even the faintest hint of alarm -to reach Irma's ears. This done, I fainted. It was perhaps -unnecessary, but the strain of the evening had been great enough to try -the nerves of a bull; I had also lost a quantity of blood. - -And so it ended; the last adventure of a career which had not been an -empty one. That is up to the present, for it only happened within the -year in which I am writing. I think Bauen was the most honoured man in -my realm for some time; before a stranger came to overthrow him, a -little fellow with a lusty voice, and as Bauen never spoke much the -new-comer naturally won. I may say that there were other reasons as -well, one of which was that, God being willing, he would one day rule -over Rudarlia. - -Carruthers came to Karena for his christening; and I can remember that -upon that occasion, when we all were dining together--my mother, Mr. -Neville, Prince Zeula, all those whom I love--Carruthers proposed a -toast: - -"Victor II., the finest King Rudarlia ever had, Her Majesty Queen Irma, -the finest Queen, and--er--I forget his name, but that jolly baby, the -finest baby in the world." - -Then Irma said quietly: - -"And Bauen, who saved them all." - -Now, as this was a private dinner, there was a great deal of fun at the -quiet way Irma had accepted Carruthers' compliments, only Zeula and Mr. -Neville refusing to be consoled, because they had not been included as -the finest Prime Minister and the finest Tutor. - -That I should remember this incident is in no way strange, for it was -only to-day that it happened. - -Now I am seated in my study, I have said good night to every one, except -Woolgast, who, as usual, is on duty. Presently I shall summon him and -tell him to get to his bed; it is our regular custom, every night. I -say a few words to him, and then dismiss him with: - -"Well, good night, General." - -And he always gives the same reply: - -"Good night, God bless your Majesty!" - - - - - * * * * * * * * - - - - - *JOHN LANE'S LIST OF FICTION* - -BY ARTHUR H. ADAMS - A TOUCH OF FANTASY - GALAHAD JONES--A TRAGIC FARCE - GROCER GREATHEART - -BY W. M. ARDAGH - THE KNIGHTLY YEARS - THE MAGADA - -BY WILLIAM ARKWRIGHT - THE TREND - -BY H. F. PREVOST BATTERSBY - THE LAST RESORT - THE LURE OF ROMANCE - THE SILENCE OF MEN - -BY PETER BLUNDELL - LOVE-BIRDS IN THE COCO-NUTS - OH, MR. BIDGOOD - THE FINGER OF MR. BLEE - -BY GERARD BENDALL - THE ILLUSIONS OF MR. & MRS. BRESSINGHAM - THE PROGRESS OF MRS. CRIPPS-MIDDLEMORE - -BY PAUL BERTRAM - THE FIFTH TRUMPET - THE SHADOW OF POWER - -BY ALICE BIRKHEAD - SHIFTING SANDS - -BY WALTER BLOEM - THE IRON YEAR. Translated from the German by STELLA BLOCH - -BY FRANCIS ADAMS - A CHILD OF THE AGE - -BY SHELLAND BRADLEY - ADVENTURES OF AN A.D.C. - AN AMERICAN GIRL AT THE DURBAR - MORE ADVENTURES OF AN A.D.C. - -BY GERTRUDE ATHERTON - A WHIRL ASUNDER - SENATOR NORTH - THE ARISTOCRATS - THE DOOMSWOMAN - -BY EX-LIEUT. BILSE - LIFE IN A GARRISON TOWN - -BY MRS. CHARLES BRYCE - MRS. VANDERSTEIN'S JEWELS - THE ASHIEL MYSTERY - -BY JAMES BRYCE - THE STORY OF A PLOUGHBOY - -BY WILLIAM CAINE - BILDAD THE QUILL-DRIVER - BUT SHE MEANT WELL - HOFFMAN'S CHANCE - THE IRRESISTIBLE INTRUDER - -BY DANIEL CHAUCER - THE NEW HUMPTY-DUMPTY - THE SIMPLE LIFE LIMITED - -BY MAUD CRUTTWELL - FIRE AND FROST - -BY SIDNEY DARK - THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT BE KING - -BY THEODORE DREISER - THE GENIUS - THE TITAN - -BY MARION FOX - APE'S FACE - THE BOUNTIFUL HOUR - -BY WILLEM DE VEER - AN EMPEROR IN THE DOCK - BATTLE ROYAL - -BY CARLTON DAWE - THE REDEMPTION OF GRACE MILROY - THE SUPER-BARBARIANS - -THE WORKS OF ANATOLE FRANCE IN ENGLISH - -Edited by FREDERIC CHAPMAN DEMY - -AT THE SIGN OF THE REINE PEDAUQUE - A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON - -BALTHASAR - A Translation by Mrs. JOHN LANE - -CRAINQUEBILLE - A Translation by WINIFRED STEPHENS - -JOCASTA AND THE FAMISHED CAT - A Translation by Mrs. FARLEY - -MOTHER OF PEARL - A Translation by the EDITOR - -MY FRIEND'S BOOK - A Translation by J. LEWIS MAY - -ON LIFE AND LETTERS - A Translation by A. W. EVANS. Series I and II - -PENGUIN ISLAND - A Translation by A. W. EVANS - -PIERRE NOZIERE - A Translation by J. LEWIS MAY - -THAÏS A Translation by ROBERT B. DOUGLAS - -THE AMETHYST RING - A Translation by BERENGERE DRILLIEN - -THE ASPIRATIONS OF JEAN SERVIEN - A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON - -THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD - A Translation by LAFCADIO HEARN - -THE ELM TREE ON THE MALL - A Translation by M. P. WILLCOCKS - -THE GARDEN OF EPICURUS - A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON - -THE GODS ARE ATHIRST - A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON - -THE MERRIE TALES OF JACQUES TOURNEBROCHE. - A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON - -THE OPINIONS OF JEROME COIGNARD - A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON - -THE PATH OF GLORY - A Translation by A. R. ALLINSON - -THE RED LILY - A Translation by WINIFRED STEPHENS - -THE REVOLT OF THE ANGELS - A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON - -THE WELL OF ST. CLARE - A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON - -THE WHITE STONE - A Translation by C. E. ROCHE - -THE WICKER-WORK WOMAN - A Translation by M. P. WILLCOCKS - -BY EVELYN BRENTWOOD - HECTOR GRAEME - HENRY KEMPTON - -BY JOHN BUCHAN - JOHN BURNET OF BARNS - SCHOLAR GIPSIES - -BY G. K. CHESTERTON - THE NAPOLEON OF NOTTING HILL - -BY A. R. GORING THOMAS - MRS. GRAMERCY PARK - THE LASS WITH THE DELICATE HAIR - THE STRONG HEART - WAYWARD FEET - -BY GERALD GROGAN - A DROP IN INFINITY - -BY GERALD CAMPBELL - THE JONESES AND THE ASTERISKS - -BY FREDERICK BARON CORVO - IN HIS OWN IMAGE - -BY VICTORIA CROSS - THE WOMAN WHO DIDN'T - -BY GEORGE EGERTON - DISCORDS - KEYNOTES - SYMPHONIES - -BY CYRIL HARCOURT - FIRST COUSIN TO A DREAM - THE WORLD'S DAUGHTER - -BY HENRY HARLAND - COMEDIES AND ERRORS - GREY ROSES - MADEMOISELLE MISS - MY FRIEND PROSPERO - THE CARDINAL'S SNUFF BOX - THE LADY PARAMOUNT - -BY FRANK HARRIS - ELDER CONKLIN - GREAT DAYS - MONTES THE MATADOR - UNPATH'D WATERS - -BY E. CROSBY HEATH - HENRIETTA TAKING NOTES - -BY A. C. FOX-DAVIES - THE FINANCES OF SIR JOHN KYNNERSLEY - THE MAULEVERER MURDERS - -BY ELIZABETH GODFREY - THE CRADLE OF A POET - -BY JOHN GORE - THE BARMECIDE'S FEAST - THE SILLY SEASON - -BY HANDASYDE - FOR THE WEEK-END - -BY ALICE HERBERT - GARDEN OATS - THE MEASURE OF OUR YOUTH - -BY MURIEL HINE - APRIL PANHASARD - EARTH - HALF IN EARNEST - THE INDIVIDUAL - THE MAN WITH THE DOUBLE HEART - -BY ADELAIDE HOLT - OUTSIDE THE ARK - -BY FORD MADOX HUEFFER - THE GOOD SOLDIER - -BY VIOLET HUNT and FORD MADOX HUEFFER - ZEPPELIN NIGHTS - -BY KEBLE HOWARD - MERRY-ANDREW - THE GREEN FLAG - -BY WILLIAM BERTAL HEENEY - PICKANOCK - -BY WILFRID SCARBOROUGH JACKSON - TRIAL BY MARRIAGE - -BY CECIL STARR JOHNS - VICTOR VICTORIOUS - -BY MRS. JOHN LANE - ACCORDING TO MARIA - BALTHASAR AND OTHER STORIES - KITWYK - MARIA AGAIN - THE CHAMPAGNE STANDARD - TALK OF THE TOWN - -BY STEPHEN LEACOCK - ARCADIAN ADVENTURES WITH THE IDLE RICH - BEHIND THE BEYOND - LITERARY LAPSES - MOONBEAMS FROM THE LARGER LUNACY - NONSENSE NOVELS - SUNSHINE SKETCHES OF A LITTLE TOWN - -BY VERNON LEE - LOUIS NORBERT - -BY RICHARD LE GALLIENNE - THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN GIRL - THE ROMANCE OF ZION CHAPEL - LITTLE DINNERS WITH THE SPHINX - PAINTED SHADOWS - PROSE FANCIES - SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE PROSE FANCIES - THE BOOK BILLS OF NARCISSUS - THE WORSHIPPER OF THE IMAGE - -BY AGNES GORDON LENNOX - A GIRL'S MARRIAGE - -BY WILLIAM J. LOCKE - A STUDY IN SHADOWS - AT THE GATE OF SAMARIA - DERELICTS - IDOLS - JAFFERY - SIMON THE JESTER - STELLA MARIS - THE BELOVED VAGABOND - THE DEMAGOGUE AND LADY PHAYRE - THE GLORY OF CLEMENTINA WING - THE FORTUNATE YOUTH - THE JOYOUS ADVENTURES OF ARISTIDE PUJOL - THE MORALS OF MARCUS ORDEYNE - THE WHITE DOVE - THE USURPER - WHERE LOVE IS - -BY INGRAHAM LOVELL - MARGARITA'S SOUL - -BY CECIL CHAMPAIN LOWIS - FASCINATION - -BY LAURA BOGUE LUFFMAN - A QUESTION OF LATITUDE - -BY A. NEIL LYONS - ARTHUR'S - CLARA; SOME CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF A HUSSY - COTTAGE PIE - KITCHENER CHAPS - MOBY LANE AND THEREABOUTS - SIMPLE SIMON - SIXPENNY PIECES - -BY FREDERICK NIVEN - THE LOST CABIN MINE - -BY ALLAN McAULAY - BEGGARS AND SORNERS - -BY KARIN MICHAELIS - ELSIE LINDTNER A SEQUEL - THE DANGEROUS AGE - THE GOVERNOR - -BY IRENE MILLER - SEKHET - -BY HECTOR H. MUNRO (Saki) - BEASTS AND SUPER-BEASTS - THE CHRONICLES OF CLOVIS - THE UNBEARABLE BASSINGTON - WHEN WILLIAM CAME - -BY MADGE MEARS - THE JEALOUS GODDESS - -BY PIERRE MILLE - BARNAVAUX - JOFFRE CHAPS - LOUISE AND BARNAVAUX - TWO LITTLE PARISIANS - UNDER THE TRICOLOUR - -BY LOUIS N. PARKER - POMANDER WALK - -BY JOHN PARKINSON - OTHER LAWS - -BY MRS. C. S. PEEL - MRS. BARNET-ROBES - THE HAT SHOP - -BY F. INGLIS POWELL - THE SNAKE - -BY F. J. RANDALL - SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE - THE BERMONDSEY TWIN - -BY SIDNEY SCHIFF - CONCESSIONS - -BY HUGH DE SÉLINCOURT - A FAIR HOUSE - -BY VERE SHORTT - LOST SHEEP - -BY GERTRUDE STEIN - THREE LIVES - -BY DORIS SOMERVILLE - GREEN CHALK - -BY GEORGE STEVENSON - JENNY CARTWRIGHT - TOPHAM'S FOLLY - -BY HERMANN SUDERMANN - THE SONG OF SONGS (Das Hohe Lied) - THE INDIAN LILY AND OTHER STORIES - REGINA; or THE SINS OF THE FATHERS - -BY SIR FRANK SWETTENHAM - ALSO AND PERHAPS - -BY MARCELLE TINAYRE - MADELEINE AT HER MIRROR - -BY MRS. HORACE TREMLETT - CURING CHRISTOPHER - LOOKING FOR GRACE - -BY GEORGE VANE - THE LIFTED LATCH - THE LOVE DREAM - THE SNARE - -BY SYDNEY TREMAYNE - THE AUCTION MART - -BY L. VAIL - THE HOUSE IN LITTLE ITALY - -BY DUDLEY STURROCK - THE DISTANT DRUM - -BY CLARA VIEBIG - ABSOLUTION - THE SON OF HIS MOTHER - -BY H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON - THE TOMBOY AND OTHERS - -BY H. G. WELLS - THE NEW MACHIAVELLI - SELECT CONVERSATIONS WITH AN UNCLE - -BY MARGARET WESTRUP - ELIZABETH'S CHILDREN - ELIZABETH IN RETREAT - HELEN ALLISTON - PHYLLIS IN MIDDLEWYCH - THE YOUNG O'BRIENS - -BY EDITH WHARTON - THE GREATER INCLINATION - -BY DEMETRA VAKA - A CHILD OF THE ORIENT - -BY EDITH WHERRY - THE RED LANTERN - -BY M. P. WILLCOCKS - A MAN OF GENIUS - THE WAY UP - THE WINGLESS VICTORY - WIDDICOMBE - WINGS OF DESIRE - -BY F. E. MILLS YOUNG - ATONEMENT - A MISTAKEN MARRIAGE - CHIP - GRIT LAWLESS - MYLES CALTHORPE, I.D.B. - SAM'S KID - THE GREAT UNREST - THE PURPLE MISTS - VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS - -BY FRANCES FENWICK WILLIAMS - A SOUL ON FIRE - -POPULAR CHEAP EDITIONS - -BY H. G. WELLS - THE NEW MACHIAVELLI - -BY GERTRUDE ATHERTON - THE ARISTOCRATS - -BY MRS. JOHN LANE - ACCORDING TO MARIA - -BY WILLIAM J. LOCKE - A STUDY IN SHADOWS - AT THE GATE OF SAMARIA - DERELICTS - IDOLS - SIMON THE JESTER - THE BELOVED VAGABOND - THE GLORY OF CLEMENTINA WING - THE MORALS OF MARCUS ORDEYNE - THE USURPER - THE WHITE DOVE - WHERE LOVE IS - -BY A. NEIL LYONS - ARTHURS - KITCHENER CHAPS - -BY M. P. WILLCOCKS - THE WINGLESS VICTORY - -BY F. E. MILLS YOUNG - CHIP - -BY ANATOLE FRANCE - THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD - THE RED LILY - -BY HANDASYDE - FOR THE WEEK-END - -BY PIERRE MILLE - JOFFRE CHAPS - -BY CAPTAIN BLACKALL - SONGS FROM THE TRENCHES - -BY THOMAS O'TOOLE - THE WAY THEY HAVE IN THE ARMY - -BY G. K. CHESTERTON - GEORGE BERNARD SHAW - -THE NEW -POCKET LIBRARY - -Printed from a clear type, upon a specially thin -and opaque paper manufactured for the Series - -Pott (6 X 3-3/4 in.) - -Bound in Cloth Price 1s net - -Bound in Leather Price 2s net - -BY THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD - ALROY, ETC. - CONINGSBY - CONTARINI FLEMING - HENRIETTA TEMPLE - SYBIL - TANCRED - THE YOUNG DUKE, ETC. - VENETIA - VIVIAN GREY - -BY HENRY BROOKE - THE FOOL OF QUALITY (2 vols.) - -BY GEORGE BORROW - LAVENGRO - THE BIBLE IN SPAIN - THE ROMANY RYE - THE ZINCALI - WILD WALES - -BY GEORGE ELIOT - ADAM BEDE - SCENES OF CLERICAL LIFE - SILAS MARNER - THE MILL ON THE FLOSS - -BY EDWARD FITZGERALD - EUPHRANOR - -BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE - THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES - THE SCARLET LETTER - -BY HERMAN MELVILLE - TYPEE - OMOO - -BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT - MR. MIDSHIPMAN EASY - PETER SIMPLE - THE KING'S OWN - THE PHANTOM SHIP - -BY ANTHONY TROLLOPE - BARCHESTER TOWERS - CASTLE RICHMOND - DR. THORNE - FRAMLEY PARSONAGE - ORLEY FARM (2 vols.) - RACHEL RAY - THE BERTRAMS - THE KELLYS AND THE O'KELLYS - THE MACDERMOTS OF BALLYCLORAN - THE SMALL HOUSE AT ALLINGTON (2 vols.) - THE THREE CLERKS - THE WARDEN - - - - *LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD* - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VICTOR VICTORIOUS *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46735 - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so -the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. -Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this -license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works to protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and -trademark. 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