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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -<title>VICTOR VICTORIOUS</title> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2014-08-30" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Victor Victorious" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Cecil Starr Johns" /> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Victor Victorious" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="46735" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1915" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.title" content="Victor Victorious" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.source" content="/home/ajhaines/victor/victor.rst" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.language" content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.modified" content="2014-08-31T02:22:30.410645+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.rights" content="Public Domain in the USA." /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46735" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.creator" content="Cecil Starr Johns" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.created" content="2014-08-30" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> -<meta name="generator" content="Ebookmaker 0.4.0a2 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="victor-victorious"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> included with -this ebook or online at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>. 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.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Victor Victorious -<br /> -<br />Author: Cecil Starr Johns -<br /> -<br />Release Date: August 30, 2014 [EBook #46735] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="xx-large">VICTOR -<br />VICTORIOUS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">BY CECIL STARR JOHNS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON: JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD -<br />NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY -<br />MCMXV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">THE ANCHOR PRESS, LTD., TIPTREE, ESSEX, ENGLAND</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container dedication"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">TO -<br />IRMA -<br />MY WIFE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="bold italics large">AUTHOR'S NOTE</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">This book was written in the spring of</em><span> -1913--</span><em class="italics">fifteen months before the outbreak of the present -war.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">September</em><span>, 1915.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-i"><span class="bold x-large">VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith--Mr. Smith. In those days I never -thought that I should owe you so much.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He it was who introduced Mr. Neville to my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not think that I was a great worry," I -said innocently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but I should like to know, because I might -help."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I was ten years old, a great change took -place. My mother married again--an American.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During this lesson I read that King Merlin I of -Rudarlia had been killed in a revolution, his cousin -ascending the throne.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder if my father was there?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, he was there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was he a soldier?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did he get killed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, he was killed at the head of his regiment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They gave me of their best, mentally, physically, -and morally.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>War was a subject which appealed to me, for my -feelings towards soldiers were almost sacred.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I made a friend that day, Rupert Carruthers, the -second son of the Earl of Yelverton. He is still my -friend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My stepfather was delighted when he heard of this -fight, and joked with Mr. Neville about it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall have him in the ring one of these days, -eh, Neville?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! he might be happier so." A remark -which at the time was unintelligible to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I do not think my mother was pleased, she said -nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I believe if I had been the veriest fool and lubber, -these two men would have made me different.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This lucid explanation was sufficient and convulsing -for my stepfather and Mr. Neville, but did -not seem to charm that dear mother of mine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carruthers' last remarks that night were: -"What a lovely mother you have, Splosh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, she is," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I should be scared of her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dunno, but I should. Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If he had waited, I might have confessed that -sometimes I felt the same myself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith came for his yearly visit that month; -he took quiet notice of Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In this angry state I rowed back and stumped -straight up to the house, no doubt with great -dignity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother was sitting talking to Mr. Smith and -my stepfather.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Victor, how flushed you look; is there -anything the matter?" asked my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can I speak to you a minute, mother?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, what is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, it does not matter now, mother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I believe that Mr. Smith made a sign to my stepfather, -because they both rose, and, after mentioning -billiards, disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I glanced round hurriedly; this was better.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to see a photograph of my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last I handed it back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, mother," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that all you wished, are you satisfied now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it is nothing wrong, is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-ii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was after dinner some three nights following his -departure that I broached the subject of my future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish to know what vocation you think I am -suited for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I spoke collectively. My mother gave a little -start, looked quickly at my stepfather, gave a little -sigh, and remained silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My stepfather smiled a trifle grimly, he too did not -speak. Mr. Neville, however, answered me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you yourself feel inclined for?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no need of that, Victor," said my -stepfather. "Would you not be content to stay -here, and wait for a little?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I did, it would prevent my going to Sandhurst."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha! that was in your mind then. I rather -suspected it. Rupert's reports, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," I said. "It seems a nice life, and I might -do well as a soldier; what do you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother leaned forward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor, do not set your heart upon it, I think -that it will be impossible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, am I also to know the reason for that, some day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she answered, "that goes with the rest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I shall be very pleased when that day comes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" said Mr. Neville. "I wonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We sat silent for a while, and then I said again:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My stepfather had risen and was walking up and -down the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said my mother a trifle sadly, "I agree."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But could you not give me some idea, so that I -may study for my future as well as all those things -you mention?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I do," I said, "but it is puzzling, -isn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is, but this you may count on: you shall -know everything you wish when you come of age," -said my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, mother." I turned to my old -tutor. "Mr. Neville, will you come with me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will," he said. "It will be a pleasure -for me to renew my acquaintanceship with the -continent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then let us go; and, for my part, the sooner the -better, for the time will pass more quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't forget the old advice to 'hasten slowly,'" -my stepfather remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To-morrow," said my mother, rising, "we will -plan out your tour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the first time that I can remember, my -stepfather spoke to me of money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never, you gave me such a ripping allowance, I -never spent it all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be jolly rich then," I said, although I -only vaguely realised the position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My stepfather smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am, but I don't wish people to know it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have often wondered what other young men of -my age would have felt under similar conditions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Possibly I may have this explained when I -come of age," I remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My stepfather laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I think so, Victor."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We visited France, Germany, Italy, Russia, during -the first two years, generally making Paris our -head-quarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first, I remember, I was inclined to favour -theories, but before his searching dissection they -very soon crumbled away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now although, as I say, I evaded these things, I -take no credit to myself; they were not for me, that -was all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 -</span><em class="italics">demi-monde</em><span> and underworld; I do not say it was -necessary to seek such opportunities. The society -we naturally consorted with differed strangely -little in essentials.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 </span><em class="italics">grande dame</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was extremely interesting to me to discuss -with Mr. Neville, or with a soldier if possible, the -defences of any place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where were my forces before they arrived in -that position, in which direction were they -travelling, and with what object?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, suppose they were moving from A to -try to get to B here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"General, if ever you allowed your forces to get -into such a position you ought to be shot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a moment he looked at me, and then burst out -laughing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Mon Dieu!</em><span> 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And where to next, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know," I answered with a little start, for -he had read my thoughts exactly. "Where do you -suggest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That requires thought," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Naturally; I only proposed it in order to -discuss it with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what do you think, knowing how I feel on -the subject, would you say my mind was formed -enough?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me affectionately.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you agree with that course of procedure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Entirely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they have assistance in making up their minds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But will that be of use to me, should I enter -diplomacy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can only wait and see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much longer, thank Heaven!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We drank our coffee before speaking again, then I -said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! you have decided as I expected you to. -We must arrange many things first, however."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What kind of things?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, do you intend going as a Rudarlian, or as -an Englishman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have been English everywhere, so far, and for -this visit will remain so, unless I change my mind -when there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which way do you want to go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought a little while, and then said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a first-rate plan, I think, and will be most -enjoyable. Anyway, Karena is not far distant from -the northern frontier."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be hard going, from what I can gather, -but it ought to be worth while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When shall we start?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh," I said, looking at my engagement book, -"would a week from to-day suit you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perfectly, it will give us time to work out -details."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-iii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good evening," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are very kind," I said. "May I introduce -Mr. Neville? My own name is Stevens."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then your feelings are not over-kind to your -King?" said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they couldn't retire you, Colonel?" I said -inquiringly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there not a great deal of discontent in the -country?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would that improve matters?" asked Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Had they no one to defend them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a terrible crime it was!" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel von Quarovitch sprang to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Crime!" he cried, shaking his clenched fists -above his head. "Crime! God's curse on the -authors of it, it has ruined my country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We stayed only a few minutes after this, finally -wishing him good night, and retired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As we reached the inn, Mr. Neville and I looked -at each other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank God for such men as that," said my companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My thoughts were extremely upsetting, the -conversation we had had with Colonel von Quarovitch -had made me think a great deal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here was an elderly man, devoting his whole life -to his country, without hope of recompense.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 </span><em class="italics">cul-de-sac</em><span>; 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Morning came, and found me still puzzling, still -without any loophole through which to squeeze to -the help of my beloved country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He would help me, perhaps, in any way that he -thought good.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Well, it would wait with many things until my -majority.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While dressing I thought of my stepfather; what -would he think, as an American, would he advise a -republic?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And then his advice flashed across me: "Spend -money when you think good will come of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had never followed his advice to any large -extent, a hundred pounds or so at a time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder," I said aloud, "whether this is an -opportunity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a fresh idea, and I dawdled over my toilet, -so as to have more time for consideration.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Could I in any way help Quarovitch and his men: -would he accept financial assistance, not for himself -but for the troops he commanded?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville was already in the room waiting for -me; he looked at me intently as I entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sleep well?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, very badly, the conversation of last night -upset me, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite right," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How on earth did you know what I was thinking, -are you capable of thought reading, even when -the thinker is absent?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should not be surprised," I said, laughing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was it not the choice of a ruler?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes, if you are agreeable; it will be much -more interesting and exciting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, but we shall want a guide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The innkeeper will know of one, I'm sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll ask him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder," I said, "whether our host is an -authority on honesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same thought struck me; but, as we are -armed, I don't think there is anything to fear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, he won't be here for some time yet; and -I want to ask your opinion on a serious matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fire ahead, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I then proceeded to lay bare my plan with regard -to Quarovitch; Mr. Neville listened in silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is rather an extraordinary proposal," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I remember that we were both silent for a -considerable time after that and then he said suddenly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," I cried joyfully, "you think I can do it, -you advise it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I leave it to you, partner," said Mr. Neville, -smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, bother bridge, I feel that I shall never play -again with any pleasure; can't you ever declare?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not on this hand. I should say, however, that -you might make it no trumps; you have the three -aces--health, wealth, and enthusiasm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the kings are against us, with perhaps the -fourth ace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that is?" asked my companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Luck," said I, "but I'll risk it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How much do you propose offering him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five thousand; that should last until I come again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always look ahead," said Mr. Neville, but he -would say nothing more about the sum I had named.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you think, Mr. Neville?" I asked in English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm. He looks like a brigand, but then they -mostly do to English eyes; I think I should engage -him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed," said I, "why did you not mention -that before?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not know that your Excellencies proposed -starting at midday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was seated at a table by the only window in -the room; as we entered, a subaltern saluted and -passed out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did not alarm us at all, it was most justifiable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Delighted, delighted; but I do not see the -connection between the two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said I, feeling desperately uneasy, "I -must explain, if you will give me permission."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please take a chair, and make yourselves as -comfortable as these quarters permit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pulled his own chair round as we seated -ourselves, and held out a box of cigarettes to us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot offer you cigars like the ones I smoked -last night," he said apologetically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now," he continued when we had lighted them, -"an hour, or two hours, as you will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is so," said Quarovitch, with a perplexed look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So he might, but I thought I made it sufficiently -plain that I was without private means."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked from me to Mr. Neville, with an -inquiring lift of his eyebrows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me a trifle suspiciously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stevens is not a Rudarlian name," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," broke in Mr. Neville, "but Stefan is, I -believe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So! you have astonished me, monsieur. You -were taken away as a baby, you say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think so, I am not quite sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I ask why?" I said despondently. "I -had hoped so much to do something for our army."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who for?" I asked quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel von Quarovitch looked puzzled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His argument was certainly sound; and I searched -my brains for a solution.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you ever speculate, Colonel?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you had invested a certain sum, a -little while ago, in some rubber company."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?" he said again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville chuckled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I continued:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did you say the name of the rubber -company was, monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had won. In a boyish impulse I seized his hand -and shook it violently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hurrah! I was so afraid that you would -continue in your refusal."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laughed outright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will keep an account of every penny, to await -your return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His stern old face twitched, and he said huskily:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless you, until your return, Monsieur -Stefan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our interview had lasted longer than we had -expected; and we had to hurry, to get back to the -inn at the time appointed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We found our guide to be, waiting, with a small -shaggy horse, laden with our properties; he saluted -as we hurried up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have everything your Excellencies require," -he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A deliberate cut," said a voice behind me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I swung round.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Carruthers? Well, I'm damned!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Judging by this inn, I should say you were; but -how goes it, old chap?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How in the world did you get here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Boat, train, and horse; but I'm waiting for you -to say that you are pleased to see me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pleased? You bet I am; why, there is nothing -could have pleased me more; but how did you know -where to find us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll come right away. I've only a bag, and I'll -leave that here to be forwarded."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It can go on our transport animal--they call it -a horse--fetch it while I settle up; Mr. Neville is -outside."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This will be a good place to halt, Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My country! my country!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-iv"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When I returned to the others, I found -a wood fire crackling merrily, and -preparations being made for a meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Piotr explained that he had overtaken us at about -midnight, and, as he was tired, had asked permission -to use our fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I spoke a few words to the fellow, telling him that -he could have some food if he liked, and then woke -the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We lay flat on our stomachs and peered over; then -I scrambled to my feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He darted off; and Mr. Neville ran to undo the -rope which hung from the pack-saddle of the horse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will it be long enough?" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope so, I judge him to be thirty to thirty-five -feet down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville was standing over me, with a terribly -drawn look on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor, you can't go," he muttered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I said nothing, only smiled; and Carruthers turned -the corner at a run, followed closely by the hunch-back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Buck up, old man," he cried, throwing off his -coat, "and I'll get him up in a jiffy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I'm going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They looked at me, Mr. Neville very white, and -Carruthers almost angrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't talk rot, Splosh, of course I shall go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I slipped my right foot into the noose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now hold on, I'm going, I'll yell when you are -to pull him up; let me down slowly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This required thought, as Mr. Neville so often -reminded me; and I wondered what could be done -to fasten his arms down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you all right, Splosh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I'm all right. Wait half a minute, and -then you can begin to haul."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo! hullo! Splosh!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked up again, there was a row of heads where -only Carruthers' had been before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo!" I called back. "Is the rope ready?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is coming down now, old chap; be careful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Friends of yours?" I said to Mr. Neville, and -Carruthers roared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, by appearances they are, but how is Piotr?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will look at him, if you will tell these fellows -to get out of the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is marvellous, he has only broken a leg, and -has a slight concussion; bruised as well, of course, -but not another bone broken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What luck! Can you set his leg between you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope so, and before he regains his senses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He saw that I was smiling, so he too grinned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Excellency, for your age you are as clear-sighted -as an eagle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gleam of satisfaction lit up his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And would your Excellencies submit to that? -It would be only for a few minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes, and I can answer for my friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What struck us most was the absence of human -habitations, for the valley looked as though it -would be fertile, being well watered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I questioned the man whom I was walking beside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This much I took in with my first bewildered glance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I'm damned!" said Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So am I!" said I.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In fact we all are!" said Mr. Neville sagely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville was attending Piotr, who sat propped -up at one of the windows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville had asked him whether he would give -up his present career, if the laws were readjusted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give us fair taxation, and justice, and we will -serve God and the King until the end," had been his -response.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ivan?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are there many who think as you do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never knew or heard of a man who wouldn't -rejoice at news of his death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Decidedly the King was not beloved.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Piotr broke a coin in two, and presented me with -one-half.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you are in Rudarlia, and need me, send me -that piece; if I am alive I will come to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our eyes were left unbandaged as we made our -way out of the place: we had given our word not to -divulge the secret.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 </span><em class="italics">Ritz</em><span> in London.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 -</span><em class="italics">Carlton</em><span> 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 </span><em class="italics">cul-de-sac</em><span>: 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I asked a gentleman who was near me who she was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know, I have never seen that one -before; if she's new, it will mean fresh taxation, I -suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why? I am afraid I don't quite understand; who -is she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good God! can it really be so?" I asked, -feigning surprise, for I was desirous of obtaining -more information.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is your blood on the boil?" asked Mr. Neville, -smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Since then I have discovered that I misjudged them.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-v"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, Splosh!" cried Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You, Mr----?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You--was it you then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I should like to do something for him," I -said, pointing to my opponent's body.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Leave it to me, my boy, I will see that he is -taken care of. Quick! quick! or we shall be in -trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Together we ran to the car, passing three bodies, -one shot, one stunned, and one bound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jump in, I will drive," said Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank God, Count! We were afraid something -had happened to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So it did, Baron."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where's Peter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In heaven, I hope; in hell, I am afraid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As bad as that, was it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worse: Goltz was in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goltz!" He gave a little whistle. "Come in -at once; but who are these?" He indicated us -with a wave of his hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I touched Mr. Smith's arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall be awfully out of it, in these clothes," -I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think you need worry, Victor, you will -always be conspicuous, whether you like it or not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He knew my weakness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Most of the occupants looked up as we entered, -and a general hum of welcome arose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The hum of welcome changed to a cry of astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goltz? is he dead? how did it happen?" And -a score of other questions were hurled at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Hullo,' I said, 'what is wrong, what do you -want?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'You!' he replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before I could say anything, this astonishing man -had ushered us both out of the room, closing and -locking the door behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith turned to us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But look here," said Carruthers, "I for one -don't care about tearing off as if in a funk, you -know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, of course not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without saying anything more, we shook hands; -Carruthers and I jumped into the car, and we were -off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour after reaching the hotel, we drove off; -Mr. Neville inside, Carruthers with me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From there, it was a pleasant run to the coast, -through beautiful country; we did not hurry, the -better to appreciate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can I be of any assistance, mademoiselle?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, thank you so much. I've hurt my ankle; -if you would be so kind as to dip my handkerchief -in the water----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps you will permit me to bind it for you, -it is so difficult to do it oneself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you very much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There, I think you will find that comfortable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, yes; I am extremely grateful to you. -Are you a surgeon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, nothing so useful, I am afraid, merely a -passer-by."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. Are you generally so successful?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She laughed merrily; and I remembered the pose -in which she must have first caught sight of me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was passing time," I said gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed almost as if we had been acquainted for -years; there was no shyness, we simply talked and -argued like two friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then expect me, mademoiselle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Little did I dream, as I walked up to the hotel, of -the awful news that awaited me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville met me as I raced up to the hotel; -and the look on his face checked any exuberance in -my greeting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My boy," he said as we entered my room, "I -have very bad news for you: your stepfather is, I -am afraid, very ill."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He handed me the telegram which had brought the -bad news, and I read:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your stepfather is dying come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At our little station, I found Bauen waiting; but -he could give us no reassuring news, the best being -that he was still alive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Usually I should have pondered deeply on such -things, but now I was too unhappy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My boy, my dear boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I sat down on a low settee by her side, and waited -for her to speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you had better speak, Count," said my -mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One minute," I said. "Tell me your name first, -please, Mr. Smith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count von Zeula."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They conspired with the next heir to the throne, -who was more to their liking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the King married, and his wife gave birth -to a son, amid the joyful acclamations of the nation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith brushed a hand across his eyes, was -silent for a moment, and then continued:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is the child alive?" I cried breathlessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is," said Mr. Smith gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you are working for him. Oh, thank God, -I can see the way clearly now; let me do -something to help."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked into his eyes as his face was raised to -mine; they were full of tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His name, Victor, is Bauen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bauen--Bauen!--our Bauen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Bauen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why is he here, what does it mean?" I -looked at my mother, her face was buried in her -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It means," said Mr. Smith, rising from his chair, -"that you are the King of Rudarlia; and I, your -very humble servant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He seized my hand and kissed it.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-vi"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"'You are the King of Rudarlia,'" I repeated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is true, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May God bless your Majesty!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My dear old tutor's arm was round my shoulders, -and I heard him murmur:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My boy, my boy, I am proud of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I bent over my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked up then and smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm crying now because I am so happy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>None of us spoke for a few minutes; perhaps we -needed the time to pull ourselves together. I did -for one, then I said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He considered a little before saying:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And will no one think that I am an impostor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When will it be necessary for us to depart?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But to-morrow, is it absolutely essential that -we should go so soon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If he is, we must turn him out as quickly as he came."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will," said Mr. Smith with emphasis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there anyone?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt myself growing red.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me about it," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He listened in silence until I had finished, then he -held out his hand to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In time you will be able to look at everything -with a fresh sense of perspective.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may cause jealousy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I will come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now one thing more, will you stay here and look -after my mother until she can come to Rudarlia?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I will, if she wishes it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I am glad to be able to feel that the thought of -danger rather pleased me than otherwise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had cabled to Carruthers to meet us at -Ruln, a frontier post, much farther south than -Melanov.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We did not waste a moment of the time our -journey consumed. Mr. Smith was instructing me in -the education of a King.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Leaving Bauen in charge of the luggage--which -was light--we went in search of Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We found him seated upon a bench, the picture of -glumness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I heard Mr. Smith draw in a hissing breath, and -turned to where he had been standing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who?" asked Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An enemy, old man, you shall know everything -in a little while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked with interest at my rival, though I took -good care not to allow him to see it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was amazed and delighted that, as he expressed -it, his old Splosh was going to be a King.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the silly fellow insisted upon kissing my -hand and generally playing the fool; I think he did -it to keep my spirits up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith looked on with a grim smile. I fancy -he thought that stern realities would come soon -enough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In less than an hour the car in which we had -driven from the junction pulled up at Mr. Smith's -house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The driver followed us in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He assisted me to remove my covert-coat; then, -bowing deeply, stood back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith advanced a step towards me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty," he said, "would you remove -your coat, and show your right arm to these gentlemen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word I did so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just above my elbow, I have three small red -marks. They are triangular in shape; -birthmarks, I think they are called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three men came nearer, and I held out my -arm for their inspection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other two did the same.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No further identification is necessary," declared -the old man, and bowing the three withdrew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely, Count," I said, "there is some one here -whom I should know?" And I smiled towards the man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I present, to your Majesty, Colonel Woolgast, -who commands the body-guard?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel bent to kiss my hand, but I -prevented him; seized his instead, and shook it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Woolgast having left the room, I turned to -Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you done anything about Prince Alexis?" -I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are there any members of the government?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not one; they cannot be trusted, all being Ivan's -parasites."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How will that affect our plans, surely the -Minister of War will have something to say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is the worst hated man among them, the -soldiers execrate him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm! I shall look to you for a New Cabinet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is it that he has not been retired by Ivan?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jealousy?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had no time for more conversation, as the -sound of motors approaching warned us that people -were arriving to pay me homage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first few to arrive were soldiers, officers -commanding regiments now in Karena.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These I thanked for their loyalty, and asked a -few questions about their commands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I kissed her hand and asked her to extend her -friendship to me for my mother's sake.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty should have more self-confidence," -she replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I assured her, with an air of astonishment, that I -thought babies were useful to teach patience only.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Prince Kleber, he prides himself on his fencing," -this from Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked at the haughty, cold face before me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, Prince," I said after the customary salutations, -"some day I hope that you will give me a -lesson or two with the foils."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The haughty look vanished in a second.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty is too kind; I am flattered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The kindness will be yours, Prince, if you will -give me the lessons."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what could I teach your Majesty, who gave -Goltz such a fine thrust?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a little commotion in the crowd, and -General von Vorkovitch was announced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was much older than I had anticipated, bowed, -and rather shaky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He would have bent in homage, had I not anticipated -it by advancing a step or two and taking his -hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was talking to him, when Mr. Smith made me a -sign; I knew what it meant, and nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He immediately commanded silence. Instantly a -hush fell on the groups of excited men and women, -and they formed a circle round me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was ten in the morning before the last of the -visitors drove off, and we were left alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Archbishop blessed me, and assured me of -the support of his clergy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and then -he continued:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the better, it shows how they love Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some day it will be their King as well," said Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And inwardly I hoped that it might be so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How are we to know when to go?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the Queen? I have never until now thought -of her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what will become of her?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will rest with your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is she loved by anyone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor, my dear boy, God knows I wish you -had been son of mine; I could not have loved you -more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Baron Sluben who knocked and entered. -He came up to me and bowed low.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The usurper is dead; long live the King!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I know that from that minute I felt one, I do not -know why.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith took a pair of revolvers from a desk, -handed one to me and put the other in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come," he said, "it is time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three of us went out to the car. I felt cool, -and made some cheerful remark to Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good old Splosh, what is it to be, 150 not out?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Or a duck," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sluben, who understood a little English, looked at -Mr. Smith with a puzzled expression on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is all right, Baron," he said, answering the -look, "his Majesty is talking of an English game."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the duck, Count, is it alive or for dinner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was too much for us; and we laughed -heartily while explaining.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here, as Mr. Smith had stated, I found the -uniforms laid out, and Bauen waiting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In twenty minutes I was dressed, and looked at -myself in a tall cheval glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length, all was ready, and Woolgast slipped -from the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes later, came the sullen boom of a -cannon; and the people who heard it knew that -King Ivan was dead.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-vii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can they know already, do you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woolgast had left the room, but now returned and -came up to where I was standing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have to report, your Majesty, that Prince -Alexis has just entered the Palace, and been -arrested."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is good news, Colonel; I was fearing that -he might be troublesome."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I think Mr. Smith had rather feared the same -thing, for I heard him heave a sigh of relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That eases my mind," he said. "It will be a -bloodless </span><em class="italics">coup d'état</em><span>, after all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks to the excellence of your plans."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am ready."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then let us go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gorgeous figure, clad in robes which no King -could rival, stepped forward; there was a fanfare of -trumpets, and then:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"King Ivan is dead, God save King Victor!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak to them," said Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He ought to get in with a thumping majority."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count," I said, turning to Mr. Smith, "is there -any reason why I should not go now to the Cathedral?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me hesitatingly for a moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not if your Majesty wills it," he said quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will order your Majesty's carriage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No! I will ride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Woolgast had returned; and I told him of -my intention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked anxious; and asked whether he should -call out troops to line the way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am I wise?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Victor, I think you are, only I am nervous -for your safety."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God made you a King before ever you came to -Rudarlia, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, at something in his voice, I felt myself -blushing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was almost deafened by the shouts of welcome -that arose from the crowd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take him, my good woman," I said, "and keep -him, for one day Rudarlia may have need of him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crowd swept back, and left a clear space -around them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One little maid, who was in advance, came timidly -up to me, as I sat on my horse, laughing down at -them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing this, some wit in the crowd called out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The others want payment too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That, however, was the last delay we had; and -shortly after we turned in through the Palace gates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had sent a telegram to my mother, just a few -words, saying that all was well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I think my first supper-party was a success, the -late King's chef being one of the best in Europe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked inquiringly at Mr. Smith, who accompanied me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is Ivan's wife, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alone," I asked, "and at this hour?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The guard answered that she had been within for -some two hours, by herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would speak to her, Count; do not wait, you -need repose. Goodnight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me for a moment, and then bowed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good night, your Majesty," he said and left me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I approached, she raised her tear-stained face -to mine; and I saw that it was still comely, though -haggard and weary.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are you?" she said quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A friend of your Majesty's," I answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Majesty,' I never was that, since my husband -was never really the King."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nevertheless, madame, if you will permit, I will -address you so; for you, by your acts, have proved -yourself a Queen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had risen to her feet, and stood looking at me -intently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you the King?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So people have acclaimed me to-day, madame."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could you not leave me to my grief, in the midst -of your joy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God," she said, "do you believe then in God?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely, madame."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that why you came in to me here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then may He be praised," she said, "that -Rudarlia will once more have a merciful King."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You love Rudarlia, madame?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Leave Rudarlia, that would be your wish, would -it not, to return to your own country, away from -sorrowful sights and remembrances?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was tragedy in her reply:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty," she said, "what can I say, how -can I accept, how can I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, how can I?" I heard her murmur, "how -can I, I, the wife of the usurper?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked up at me, and I saw her bravely -struggling with her tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May God bless you, as you deserve; I will do as -you will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is right, madame, and now permit me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-viii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt unutterably despondent, for I knew that -outside everything I wanted was awaiting me, and -yet I could not name any one thing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Prince," I said, "the first thing I wish is for -you to have the necessary papers made out -confirming you in that title."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It can wait, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a day, I wish it done at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well," he replied, laughing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now, I suppose, I have to incur danger of -writer's cramp, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For a good many days to come, I am afraid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know I saw Ivan's wife last night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you would."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you against it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. I think she is a good woman, and her life -has been very miserable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He smiled slightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How have I amused you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, I must remember, but I do so hate to -see misery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True," I agreed. "It seems to be almost -impracticable in the present state of the world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then must I be severe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How so?" I said, for this remark had surprised me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me an instance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thought! why, of course they do. Think over -them whenever you can; and, in thinking, apply -the principle to all different cases."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will; but just now I could not think clearly, -for I fancy I hear sounds that indicate more cheering -crowds outside."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A sound that Ivan never heard," said Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And which reminds me, that I wish to see -Prince Alexis before he leaves for the frontier."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will not, I hope, delay his departure," said -my companion slyly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the contrary, I shall expedite it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You wish to see him alone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith thought for some time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a title that does me honour," he said, and -smilingly withdrew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Woolgast ushered in Prince Alexis, and -stood as though he expected to have to re-escort the -prisoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will ring, Colonel," I said, touching a small silver -bell upon my desk, "if you will remain within hearing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a chair behind you, Prince," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With extreme sullenness he took the seat indicated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My impression of the man did not improve with -further acquaintance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I found that, whenever his eyes met mine they -turned aside, cold and crafty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do deny it. You are an impostor, I know it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am the King."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By might, not right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your proofs, what proofs have you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the business of those who have them in -their possession," I replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will not satisfy me, however."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are my ways of life to you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That there is only a certain amount of juice to be -obtained from any orange; Ivan sucked this one dry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dry? not so dry that I could not have -obtained more from it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I am in your power, Impostor; what do -you intend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He leant forward in his chair, and lowered his -voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw his evil face light up, and I read his thought: -that I was willing to be his tool.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it likely that I should tell you, without -security?" he asked, with a twisted kind of smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pondered a moment, and then with an oath, -burst out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What has Bornia to do with it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on," I said, "tell me the plan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All in good time, Impostor, all in good time. -Bornia wishes very much to own Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes, go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you any more schemes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will do to commence with, Impostor; -when we have things fixed up, I'll tell you more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you more as good as the ones you have -told me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, plenty. Well, what do you say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was standing over him; and he shrank back into -his chair, his coward lips quivering with fear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty," he quavered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Impostor' you called me a moment ago; you -have changed quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not mean it, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good God! Haven't you one redeeming -feature, are you such a coward too?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not answer but looked at me imploringly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How much do you owe?" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How much do your debts amount to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crafty look returned to his face, and with it a -faint expression of hope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My debts?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, how much would cover them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't quite know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know perfectly, tell me at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You need not lie to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's true," he said eagerly. "They were -pressing me hard, and I had to plot and scheme to -raise the money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you thought that Rudarlia was yours to -barter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could think of no other way, and I knew that -Ivan had had his share."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was to marry one of George's daughters, and -then, of course, I should have done what I could."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is well out of it; for I presume that, now, -you will no longer be a desirable match?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again I caught a crafty gleam in his eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I wrote then and there a cheque for the promised -amount, and handed it to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may refer your Semitic friends to me. The -sum of thirty thousand will not be increased by a -penny."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And am I free to go when I will?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I rang the bell, and Colonel Woolgast appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will conduct Prince Alexis to his room, -Colonel, and return to me as soon as possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had had suspicions before that Bornia had -covetous designs with regard to Rudarlia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Well, we would see. Thank God, my stepfather -had made it possible for me to do much, without -fresh taxation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to see His Majesty, I tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I heard the sentry explain, in Rudarlian, that it -was impossible for her to have audience with me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fancy treating a lady like that; it's a shame!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was as much as I could do to keep my face -straight, as I signed to the sentry to close the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord, your Majesty!" she cried, dropping on -her knees.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You wished to speak to me, I believe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, please your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then supposing you take this seat, you will find -it more comfortable than the ground, I daresay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now tell me what it is I can do for you. I only -have a very few minutes to spare."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was a remarkably handsome woman, with a -splendid figure. I was struck, too, by her pleasant -smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's like this, you know, the late King took a -fancy to me, and induced me to come here to -Karena."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a moment. To begin with, who are you, -and where do you come from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stopped, for want of breath, I imagine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that all you want?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, thank your Majesty, if you'll give me the -fare home I daresay I'll do. I can always get a -livin'."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What would you like best to do?" I asked, for -I was sorry for this frank, vulgar, beautiful creature.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She took the cheque, and wide-eyed, looked at it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is this for me?" she whispered. "You aren't -kiddin' me, don't you want anythin' for it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She seized my hand and wrung it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was at this juncture that Mr. Smith returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still sobbing, "Eliza de Vere" left the room, -taking no notice of the indignant sentry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty has the knack of making friends," -Mr. Smith said, with a smile. "Her thanks and -blessings were most impressive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you put matters right immediately?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was easily done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How much did it cost, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing compared to a person's happiness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shrugged his shoulders, but humorously; and -then once more became the stern-faced man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Prince Alexis?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is lucky that I am alive, or within ten years -Rudarlia would have been governed by George III -of Bornia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! so that was the scheme, was it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Woolgast was announced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain von Essens, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would do it now, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Colonel, we will stick to our arrangement."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I give Essens the order?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall be done, your Majesty."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-ix"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The hopeless confusion into which Ivan had -plunged the finances of the country was appalling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of my first acts was to abolish this iniquitous -imposition altogether; and a very small annual -payment for market dues was charged instead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The money raised in this way was used locally, -so that those who paid received it back in the -improvements of their locality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I merely mention this tax as an example of Ivan's -financial methods when dealing with agriculture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we examined the debit side of our accounts -it was almost more appalling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is not my intention to give a long, detailed -account of such matters, although they are impressed -on my mind.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>After the first outbreak of popular enthusiasm, -there were recurrent bursts of joyful celebration, and -devotion to my family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the election of Mayors, every man, barring the -mentally deficient, and the habitual criminal, had a -vote.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sheriffs and Mayors would be paid government -officials; Senators and Ministers would be unpaid, -except in cases of expense incurred in the state -service.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I believe that the soundest laws are made by men -who give their services to the state.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Army and Navy should be in the hands of -experts, with the same provisions as in dealing with -Finance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Naturally, they were altered here and there; but -the main idea is the same as that embodied in my -first rough draft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed!" said I, having glanced at the paper. -"Are you not content that I should govern you well, -and in accordance with past traditions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, your Majesty, that is further than we dared -to go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They withdrew, and I returned to my work with -Mr. Smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, gentlemen, you see that, quick as you were -with your petition, we have been still quicker in -preparing our answer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless your Majesty. It is so much more -than we dared hope for, that you find us dazed with -your generosity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you are satisfied?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime, I set to work upon the army, -and other matters that were of great importance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In order to expedite matters, I immediately -appointed those Ministers whom I should have the -power to appoint under the new constitution.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Smith, or Prince Zeula, as I shall now call him, -was Chancellor, and President of the Council.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In Count von Maark I found a shrewd, able, and -consummate financier, yet a most honourable man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were all extremely able men, who were full -of eagerness and zeal in the public service.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scheme I had mentioned to Zeula, with regard -to the farmers who had suffered through injustice, -was carried out successfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I issued an order, granting free pardon to those -who had taken to brigandage through the same -reason.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I also encouraged breeding horses and cattle, -setting the example by starting stud farms on my -own lands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every day the Ministers would come to me, and -we would spend long hours in discussing ways and -means.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The four batteries mentioned were used for -practice, but we kept the old guns also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count," I said, "you know as well as I do that -our enemy is Bornia, is it not so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid she is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Personally, I am convinced that before long we -shall be forced to fight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is so, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not believe that anything would induce -her to stop her preparations, preparations that are -being conducted secretly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid that it is extremely unlikely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, I am determined that Rudarlia shall -be victorious, and I consider it essential that they -shall underestimate our forces."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But why retain the obsolete weapons, your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can the men fire with them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, and well, too, considering."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A present?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly, and in such a way that they will not -fear the gift."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused a little and then said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is my intention."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But your Majesty forgets, perhaps, the size of -heavy artillery; how can such pieces enter the -country without being detected?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have heard of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And your Majesty's mines will be to the north -and west, with perhaps some near Poiska, and Orvlov."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly, Count!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless your Majesty," was all he said, but -I could see him grinning to himself in huge -content.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Apropos of the mines, I had a letter from Alexis -as soon as the public knew of them. It ran -something like this:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>MY COUSIN,</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>ALEXIS REX.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I laid in a large quantity of medical stores.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Great attention was paid to the transport and -commissariat departments; but quietly, so as not to -attract attention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our supply of these weapons was in proportion to -our needs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten picked officers were sent to France for -instruction in aviation.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-x"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And in the towns it was the same story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have come again, Colonel, as I promised," I -said, and held out my hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I enjoyed the first six days of that holiday -immensely; but, on the seventh, something happened, -which I only enjoyed afterwards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not long after that Mr. Neville and I sought -our beds, for we were both tired.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! awake, I see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I trust your Majesty is comfortable," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite, thank you; but it is a devilish bad bed." I -would not let the fellow see that I was at all -uneasy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! Anyone can see that you are not of the -same breed as Alexis."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it is entirely my own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm! it is pretty low, even for you; but may I -trouble you for some water? I find my throat -rather parched."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gad! you are all right, even though you are an -Englishman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laughed again as he turned away and left the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No poison in it, is there?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what do you intend to do with me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, you know that you will be traced?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a chance of it, I assure you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will certainly be hanged, Baron Goltz, that -is, unless you untie me and let me pass out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; I should be careful of knife-thrusts if I were you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Sacred Majesty does not care for the -Prince? Well, I don't blame you, I don't think -much of him myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why work for him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who would you have me work for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, thanks, my friend, you have had your -pickings for eighteen months or more; now it is our -turn."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have tied me up rather too tightly for -comfort; if you would loosen the ropes a bit I should -be obliged."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could I lay hands on your Majesty? Oh no!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then go to the devil!" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When, after a few minutes, he returned, he found -me in the same position as when he had left me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dawn was just breaking as Goltz rode in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I heard him speaking to some one, a loud laugh -came up to me, then I heard him say:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, they don't know he is gone. Keep him -walking up and down; I shall want him again in -twenty minutes or so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Leave my horse, I will follow in a minute or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw two feet go past and heard Goltz speaking -to himself:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Curse him, the cunning devil; but wait, my -fine fellow, you can't have gone far. I wonder if -he searched the drawer----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, only your King. Quick, up with them!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Baron Goltz, you are a very dirty traitor, and -as such I am going to shoot you. Have you anything -to say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be murder, and useless," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hardly, but I will risk it, you are too big a -scoundrel to go free from here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be useless," he repeated, "as I have sent -to a friend the information you are afraid of my -repeating."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This staggered me, I confess, but I thought of the -paper in my pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What information?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is and can be no question of bargaining -with a traitor like yourself; besides, you never sent -the list."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I sent it when I left you here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You sent no list, you forgot to enclose it, it is -now in my pocket."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You lie!" he cried, but I saw an anxious look -creep into his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not lie, look for yourself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I pulled the paper out and opened it with one -hand, taking good care to keep him covered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He snarled like a wild beast and flung himself -upon me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I shot him through the brain, it was the only -thing to be done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I often wonder whether I should have been able -to shoot him, had he not attacked me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took the package from his hands, slipped it into -my pocket, and walked out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He gave the orders, and the troops trotted past -with many an anxious glance in my direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woolgast, with two troopers, remained behind. -He looked at me inquiringly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty can ride?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course; I am all right now, if you will give -me my horse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not mine," I said, and he heaved a sigh of -relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What were you doing along this road, General?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goltz is dead, I shot him half an hour ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His wrath was wonderful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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 -</span><em class="italics">Golden Horn</em><span>, and you can report there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And these troopers, your Majesty will take them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I will ride alone, let them keep silent about -this meeting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, Victor? My God, what has happened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Luck had been mine all through my life, and it -had not deserted me when I needed it. I was -grateful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have said nothing to the host, General?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain von Riech, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xi"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I bathed and dressed myself, constructing in -my mind the procedure of Goltz's daring raid -upon my person.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon arriving at the Palace, I immediately sent -for Prince Zeula and Count Belen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Accepted what?" I said, passing the paper to -the Prince.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is in your hands, Prince; it can be nothing -but imprisonment, exile would be inadvisable at -the present time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is one thing preferable to imprisonment, -your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is giving them the benefit of a big doubt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the others on the list, will your Majesty -place them under surveillance?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I think not; for, if they have been approached, -they have refused to acquiesce, if not, they -will probably know nothing about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He must have had a sense of humour after all, -although up to now I had discovered no trace of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was about this time that Prince Zeula first -broached the subject of my marriage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you satisfied with your country and countrymen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Intensely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you think that you have done everything -possible to prepare for all eventualities?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had heard of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You hear of everything. Is there anything that -I could tell you that would really surprise you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is one thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He hesitated a moment and then said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should be very much surprised to hear that -you had thought of making your greatest sacrifice -for Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Marriage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good Lord!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose it is," I said, "but is it imperative to -think of it yet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will think of it; I suppose it must be into -some reigning family?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If possible, but at least Royal."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God knows, we are in His hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will, but when that day comes, Victor, -where will the King be?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In his proper place, at the head of his army."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that your proper place? You have no heir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you have me sit here while my army is in -the field?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be better, much better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will hope for the best then. You have luck, -or Goltz might still be keeping you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The luck of having a hard fist and knowing how -to use it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I don't think I should have myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cruiser was named the </span><em class="italics">Soctia</em><span>, much to the -gratification of that province.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Personally I did not fear an attack by sea, the -town of Soctia, our one port of any importance, -being too well fortified.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About now, was finished the installation of the -"Wireless" telegraph system, which linked up all -our garrison towns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I sent the promised word to Carruthers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville took a broken coin to Piotr.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Quarovitch was commanded to Karena.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carruthers answered immediately, in a manner at -once laconic and wanting in proper respect:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coming, good old Splosh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Quarovitch was to hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Piotr accompanied Mr. Neville. He had no idea -that the English lord was his King.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He chuckled as he told me that Piotr was all -impatience to kill some one for my sake.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Piotr, you see I have not forgotten your -promise to help me out of a difficulty." I held out -my hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am grateful to your Excellency for remembering, -and am truly pleased to see you again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are astonished, perhaps, to see me here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am, Excellency, but His Majesty was brought -up in your country, they say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you think I have been favoured on that -account, perhaps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, no; only it may have made His Majesty -think of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid that is not the case, indeed, cannot -be the case, for I am a Rudarlian as you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I am, Piotr, and I trust a good one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless your Excellency, that is good news indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me, Piotr, are you glad that things have -changed in Rudarlia?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As is every honest man. I own my farm again -now, and am not afraid of the days when the taxes -are paid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is good, and those around you, your -family, your friends, are they as contented as -yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what has become of the other members of -your band?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Splendid! I suppose you still keep the secret -of your hiding-place; the other men would not have -told of its position?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This appeared to tickle him immensely and he -roared with laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If His Majesty asked for it, he should have it for -his own sake, Excellency, and my life with it if he -wished."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I rang a bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has Colonel von Quarovitch arrived yet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He awaits your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell him I wish to see him now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost before the door had closed, Piotr was on -his knees before me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, Piotr. I am your King, but I would -have your devotion, nothing more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty has that, God knows, and not only -mine, but that of every man and woman that I know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I believe that he would have liked to spend quite -a considerable time expatiating on my various -merits, had not Quarovitch entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know him by sight, your Majesty, also -by reputation. I believe we once exchanged slight -courtesies with one another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here Piotr grinned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I trust neither of you were hurt," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know about Piotr, your Majesty, but I -had an inch of skin taken off my arm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you, Piotr?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For answer he lifted the thick hair from the side -of his face--part of an ear was missing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I laughed, and my two companions did likewise, -quite heartily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gleam lit up Quarovitch's face. Piotr sat silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It were better so, your Majesty, if we are ready -too," said Colonel von Quarovitch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what say you, Piotr?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Piotr speaks well," said Quarovitch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! You in the army will fight, because it -is your duty; you of the farms, in self-protection; -and both for Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God forbid, your Majesty!" he cried, and then -we all three laughed again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took a map from my desk, spreading it out -before me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is there, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, Colonel, there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see nothing except that small road which you -have traced in red ink."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely, as I know every inch of the country -round, with the exception of one place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where Piotr used to hide himself, that I never -could discover."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will show it to you, Colonel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For a purpose, your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aha!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall be done, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want nothing, your Majesty, my life is yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then return with Colonel von Quarovitch, we -shall perhaps need you."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silently we prepared for war, mobilising quietly -and quickly, without any undue haste, but with -careful attention to details.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is so," said the Prince, so glibly that we all -smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does your Majesty know the road from Melanov -to Karena?" asked Vorkovitch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, General. I have walked it twice -with my eyes open."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would your Majesty consider that an attack -could be made from there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I trust so, since I have counted upon such an -attack being attempted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet it is the shortest way to Karena from -the frontier."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would not be if we were in between."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps not; but did you intend being in -between? I have not heard the suggestion made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, is that the general opinion?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It appears to be, your Majesty," said Prince Zeula.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are there no dissentients?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three, your Majesty: Count Belen, Colonel -von Quarovitch, and myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You agree with me then, Colonel von Quarovitch?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think then they will try a surprise to the -north; on what grounds do you base your supposition?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then what do you imagine would be their plan -of attack?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pshaw!" said Vorkovitch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is your objection to Colonel von Quarovitch's -argument?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I listened to each proposition, carefully weighing -it; I did not criticise, there was no need, with the -other Generals there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Quarovitch said little, being only a Colonel, and -I almost regretted not having raised him in rank -before this.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The result of this Council was nil. We sat again -that evening, also the next morning; and still they -argued, and argued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was then decided that our policy should be a -slow strategic retreat to our own chosen positions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were just about to adjourn for an hour, when -an urgent message was brought to me by Woolgast; -it ran:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I have news of the utmost importance to your -Majesty, and to the Council now sitting. I await -your Majesty's orders.--RUPERT CARRUTHERS."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Admit him, please," I said, and waited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He entered the room and saluted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, Monsieur Carruthers, you have news, you -say, of importance to us. I shall be pleased to hear -you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! did you observe any details, monsieur? -Had they guns?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only horse artillery, but in Nerane I saw heavier -weapons."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Openly displayed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what made you suppose them to be guns?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I smiled at this, knowing Rupert's inordinate -curiosity, and almost superhuman dexterity in -ferreting out what he wished to know.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had not my horse then, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you said you had hired a horse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was at the farm that I obtained my horse, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you say now, General?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can Monsieur Carruthers give any reason for -supposing that the intentions of these troops were -other than pacific?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They were carrying ball cartridges, General."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, your Majesty, I say that I was wrong -about the north."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean that Colonel von Quarovitch may be right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More than that, I say that he </span><em class="italics">is</em><span> 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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last we could hold him off no longer, even if -we had wished to; and he was recalled upon war -being declared.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xiii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>So war had come, and I, for one, thanked God -that it had not found us unprepared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is on that?" I asked with a wave of my -hand to the ascending machine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur Carruthers, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look, your Majesty, he's coming back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His report was satisfactory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All that day the artillery fire was kept up with but -small loss to us, and night fell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fierceness of their attack really stood us in -good stead, for it enabled us to carry out our plans -without showing our hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was during this period that I was delivered -from that enemy of mine, Prince Alexis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woolgast was evidently disturbed in his mind as -to the consequence of his action, for he sent me word -that he craved an audience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was in a state of feverish excitement, for -the wound, although not severe, was a painful one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, General?" I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He heaved a sigh of relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank God, your Majesty, I did not know----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What I should feel about it? Well, you know -now, and can sleep in peace; but be quick in -recovering, for I need you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was necessary that we should break through -their line somewhere, but the difficult question was -where and how to do it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had explained thus far to the generals, when -General von Scutane said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, your Majesty, they will not bite twice at -the same bait."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you propose to hold the Kelbna road from -Trun through Pinofska, and then from Blanne to -Farnov?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a scheme full of danger, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And also full of possibilities."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty, of defeat as well as of success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We decided not to evacuate Atar, which--as I -had foreseen--they did not bite at.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When both our flanks were hotly engaged, our -forward movement in the centre began. It was a -costly effort, but it succeeded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They met with little opposition, for the Bornian -forces there were very scanty and quite without -enterprise, or enthusiasm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before we had finished there, almost before the -beaten remnant had left Lorif, Bornia sued for peace.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xiv"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Bornia sued for peace; they could do -nothing else, for they were hopelessly -beaten both by land and sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Prince Kleber had been busy with the Bornians -on the water, and the </span><em class="italics">Soctia</em><span> 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I will confess to certain day-dreams in that -respect, and obtained quite a lot of pleasure from them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In Garace, the people were almost crazy with joy -at having thrown off the Bornian bonds, and being -under the Rudarlian flag again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This dinner </span><em class="italics">à quatre</em><span> 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Zeula, brilliant, polished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Neville, dry, rather caustic.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother, intensely feminine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They made, however, a very good combination, -and a subject was dissected very thoroughly by the -three.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Towards the end of the meal, the topics of -conversation became more personal, bearing more -directly on the future of Rudarlia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So, Prince," said I, "you have thrown your bomb."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I awaited a fitting opportunity, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pray forget ceremony," murmured my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, Mr. Smith," said I, with a grimace, "you -have given me indigestion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not ask you to bolt your food, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Meaning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That there is no particular hurry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For a week or two," chimed in Mr. Neville, and -set us all laughing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There will not be any difficulty in that, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps you have already thought of some one; -I confess that I find it difficult myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had not thought of that, Victor; will you tell -us your reasons?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two of your reasons are excellent, Victor, and -the third is within the range of possibilities."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you seen photographs of the Bornian -Princesses?" asked Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very indifferent ones, and without knowing one -from the other."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And which do you propose offering your hand to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That sounds quite an attractive programme," -said Mr. Neville, smiling. "May I ask whether it is -your intention to go alone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go with the greatest pleasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we will call it settled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you think it wise, Victor?" asked my mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may not be the essence of wisdom, yet it will -give me a little feeling of romance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Zeula laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you carry a lute with you to serenade the -Princesses, and a shield with a flaming heart as -device?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course we do; but never forget to go out -without your revolver, there is more than one Goltz -in the world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We played two rubbers; my partner and I did -not score a game.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remembering the old saying, you ought to be -very lucky in love," said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xv"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Minister to whom they were sent was thankful -enough for any assistance in what was rather an -arduous task.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having paid an exorbitant sum for a practically -uneaten meal, we refilled our pipes, and went out -again into the sunshine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I found him staring down the road at two figures -on horseback who were approaching at a good pace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we stay and see them go past, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, they may be interesting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God, he's mad!" said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Careful, Victor!" I heard Mr. Neville say.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, I am going to try to disarm him; be -ready to seize him if I succeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I spoke in English, so that the man, even if he had -any glimmering of reason, would in all probability -not understand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the weapon left his hand, Mr. Neville's arms -were round him, and in a few seconds he was bound -and helpless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I found the lady by my side, and one of the most -musical voices that I have ever heard gave me -thanks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, monsieur, how can I ever thank you and -your friend enough?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame--mademoiselle----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not both, monsieur, only the latter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mademoiselle, it was nothing, there was little -danger to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was the bravest deed I have ever seen, in -spite of your desire to belittle it, and I thank you -again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was with an effort that I returned to what had -occurred, and to what she had said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is so; but your horse, mademoiselle, is, -I am afraid, in rather a bad way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is quite impossible to ride him," I said, -looking up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh dear! and it is most unlikely that there will -be another horse in this place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But your groom, surely he will return soon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I doubt it, and even if he were to, I could not -ride his horse, as it is practically unbroken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said Mr. Neville, who had rejoined us, -"we must get you some kind of conveyance, unless -you live within walking distance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The walking would be less painful, monsieur, -from what I know of the carriages in this part of the -country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You could rest here at the inn," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were certainly more people interested in us -than the occasion merited, and there was a curious -open-mouthed look about most of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mademoiselle will accept our escort?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gladly, monsieur, if I do not take you out of -your way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All ways are the same to us, save the one we -shall travel in your company."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that will be atrocious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Impossible," said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then come; but first let me give orders about -my horse, and for my groom when he returns."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur loves children?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps you have some of your own?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am unmarried, mademoiselle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We walked a little way in silence, I could feel my -companion taking stock of me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Might I know the names of those to whom I am -so indebted?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, of course, how stupid of me to -forget--Mr. Neville, and I am Victor Stevens."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But not English, too, surely?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I am a Rudarlian."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I ought to hate you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, since we are no longer enemies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nor are we friends. Ah, I wonder whether you -know to what extent this country suffers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In what way, mademoiselle? I thought the -terms of peace were not ungenerous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Neville has spoken to him many times," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, please tell me of him; I am afraid that he is -too perfect from all accounts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Royal Highness has our homage and -thanks," said Mr. Neville, bowing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Princess, I must crave forgiveness for having -deceived you. I told you my name was Victor -Stevens, I am----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"King Victor II. of Rudarlia. Your Majesty -must think me strangely obtuse, to have imagined -that a shaven moustache could hide his identity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And this delightful girl went off into a peal of -laughter, in which after a moment Mr. Neville and -myself joined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your eyes are too keen, Princess," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I knew your Majesty's face so well that I -recognised you almost immediately."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But surely we have never met before?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but I have seen your photograph many times."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I yours, but I did not know you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is hardly to be wondered at, as the Court -photographers are notorious flatterers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet you knew me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty is a much more important person -than I, and therefore more easily to be remembered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I ask where you are staying, Princess? -There is no Royal residence near here, is there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I am visiting the family of one of the -ladies-in-waiting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Prince de Sagresse is one of your Majesty's -admirers; he does not belong to the Court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, Princess, you have no objection to our -walking as far as his gates with you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall be delighted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Mr. Neville?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Neville has given a great deal of his life to -me, Princess, he would not now interfere with my -happiness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stepped forward and held out my hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For an hour or two, Prince, if we may; so that -we can become better acquainted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would ask your Majesty's permission to -present my daughter Sonia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have already met, Prince; have we not, -mademoiselle?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh!" she cried, after looking at me intently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is the ankle?" I asked gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I lost a handkerchief, I remember," I said, -laughing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have it yet. I kept it as a souvenir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I only had the memory of a delightful afternoon -to keep, mademoiselle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I had the best of it, as I had the -handkerchief as well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is simplicity itself; you are undoubtedly -Uncle and Aunt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear old tutor, isn't she splendid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at me gravely, and without twitching -a muscle answered:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't mean Sonia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was infinite surprise in his voice. I looked -at him quickly--a twinkle had crept into his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You knew that I did not mean Sonia quite -well, but don't you think the Princess is simply -ripping?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I do, my dear boy, Her Royal Highness -seems to be a very noble type of womanhood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, do you think it is worth while going to -Sonale?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are three other sisters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be most agreeable, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we will," I said.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xvi"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thinking over this, and other things, I walked -back to the château.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty is an early riser," he said, after -we had shaken hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Generally, and this morning was so lovely that -I could not waste it, and so went for a walk in the -cool hours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has your Majesty been out before, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Princess blushed, then she gave a little laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could do nothing myself, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Except think of the very best thing to be done," -I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are kind, but then I think you must be -always so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not always possible, Princess."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I naturally turned to say something appropriate, -and noticed that her face wore rather a perturbed -expression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is troubling you, Mademoiselle Sonia?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She blushed faintly, and it was the Princess who -answered for her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Princess smiled, there was a pitiful look on -Sonia's face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was only going to suggest that he should see -you before he sees me, it will make him less nervous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me about Sonia's fiancé, Princess, do you -like him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very much indeed, he seems to be a splendid -fellow and absolutely devoted to Sonia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which is quite understandable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you wish to know about him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I should like to know his name, and what -regiment he belongs to, and anything else which you -think might interest me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His name is Boris von Landsberg, and he is a -lieutenant in a dragoon regiment now quartered in -Garace; he is very good-looking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So is Sonia, they will make a handsome couple. -Is it to be soon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid not very soon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a pity; may I ask why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Simply lack of fortune, I believe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a pity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can understand that, as he seems to have a -great number of people dependent upon his bounty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So they will have to wait, I am afraid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a pity," I said again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fancy we are all inclined to limit our vision, and -not seek to discover the lessons to be learnt by -adversity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Something might be done in their case, I hope; -at least I will see if it is possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, will you help them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you be pleased, Princess?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, yes; for, next to my sisters, I love Sonia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I must do what I can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You </span><em class="italics">are</em><span> good. I don't wonder that you are beloved."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blatant flattery, Princess, which makes me -blush, a thing which I assure you is extremely bad -for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you often suffer in that way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not very; Mr. Neville sees to that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a nice man he is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of the finest characters I have ever met; -one of the staunchest friends a man ever had."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is devoted to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He must be to have put up with my whims for -so many years."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you many?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite a number."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, be really interesting and tell me some."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In what way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is, I am afraid, a certain flippancy in the -air this morning; I shall catch it soon, if you -continue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They would write long letters to the papers -entitled 'Should Kings be Flippant?' or 'Should -Kings Smile?'" chimed in my companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what else would you do to lighten the lot -of royalty, besides allowing them to sneeze unaided?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, stop, stop, please! These terrible pictures -which you conjure up are most upsetting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are becoming morbid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I had better close the discourse, for if I -become morbid over death, I--but there, I will not -bore you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, please, do, I am really interested in your -views on life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not a society reporter by any chance, -in disguise, are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but it must be rather a fascinating life, they -see so much more beauty in the world than ever -exists."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How unkind to the ladies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very, but I am waiting for your last--what -shall I call it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I described it as 'Head,' but perhaps we -might call it 'Heart.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what have you to say about that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only that it always seems such a pity that -royalty must love to order."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Neville might know, Princess, he is a -walking encyclopædia, but I cannot say, having had -no experience."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How sad, poor King! Has there been no one -to touch your heart?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, once I thought I was really in love, but I -was not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dear me, you said that very emphatically."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did I? It must be because I am so certain about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do tell me about it, or would it awaken fond -memories best forgotten?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I have, especially to-day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We were torn asunder, a woman came between us----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Poor King!" said the Princess, shaking her -head sadly. "And what did you do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Irma is a pretty name," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor is a pretty name," mimicking me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At which we both laughed, for my disgust at -having anything pretty about me was apparent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took the opportunity, when Mr. Neville had left -the room for some reason, to speak to the Prince -about Landsberg.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you will allow me to make it possible for -them to marry?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall take pride in the fact that my daughter -is your Majesty's subject."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, Prince, then I must see what I can do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we joined the others in the garden, I took -Landsberg aside to a quiet corner, where we could -talk without interruption, and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I congratulate you, your betrothed is a most -charming girl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have the honour to share your Majesty's -opinion," he answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems to me, though, that as you are only at -present a lieutenant your marriage must be -postponed for some time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unfortunately that is the case, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now from what I have learned of you, I gather -that you love your profession. Am I right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With all my heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm! what would Mademoiselle say to that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is already jealous of my profession, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He gave a cry of joy, but before he could say -anything I continued:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sob broke from him, and for a moment I feared -he would break down, but he recovered himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I thank your Majesty? You save my -life first, and then add to that by giving me so much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Save your life?" I was frankly puzzled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was the officer whom your Majesty carried out -of fire near the bridge of Atar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stayed where he was, for I promised to send -Sonia to him; so when I regained the others I said -to her:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I sat down next to my host.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you enjoyed your day, Victor?" he asked, -smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Immensely, thanks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! and when did you propose leaving?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The day after to-morrow; why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I read the letter he handed to me; it was of -importance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must leave to-morrow early," I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How shall we travel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will ride to Ruln, it will be the quickest way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Horses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prince will lend us some."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spoilt? Not a bit, I have enjoyed it tremendously."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have not been to Sonale."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damn Sonale!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At which he smiled and left me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Loyal Bornian as I am, your Majesty, I have -grieved sometimes lately that I was not born a -Rudarlian."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you leaving us then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sorry, I was going to propose a ride to -Shesaks Towers to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid that must be a pleasure deferred, Princess."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For how long, until you are too old to climb properly?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She smiled her question, and my heart went -right through the floor; but I managed to answer -her smile and say lightly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope before then, in fact I am thinking of -asking Landsberg to take my place and let me have his."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God forbid, your Majesty," said that young -man, looking at Sonia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I don't mean now, Landsberg."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A remark which caused laughter and enabled me -to recover; it also changed the subject.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall have to say good-bye to-night, as we are -starting so early."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only then did I realise what an ill-tempered cub -I was; and, when the game ended, proposed we -should join the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Victor, who won?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was alone, so I drew up another chair beside hers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see I have come to bore you again, Irma," -I said lightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder?" she answered, and then continued, -"Did you have some good games?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very." I added "Liar" under my breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isn't it a perfectly gorgeous night? Even I feel -less prosaic under such a moon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not prosaic, are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nonsense."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder when we shall meet again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sure I should."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I did not put much fervour into my voice; and -Irma evidently noticed it, for she turned the subject.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What time do you leave to-morrow, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are starting about four, it will be light by -then, and I hate riding a horse hard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another pause, and then:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are very brave, aren't you, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good Lord, no! Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Landsberg told us how you saved his life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The deuce he did! well, I must warn him not to -tell anyone else, and I hope you will keep it dark."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course if you wish it, but why so modest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not particularly so, but what I did was -nothing much really, and it was in the heat of -action."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"According to Boris, it was something very brave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dangerous perhaps; but, as I did not realise the -danger at the time, there is so much the less credit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I think it was very brave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is kind of you, Irma."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope she will be happy there, when I am -married the Court will be gayer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I do congratulate you, I had heard nothing -of your engagement."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She held out her hand, and laughed merrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, it isn't settled yet," said I lamely, and -subsided into silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Bon voyage!</em><span>"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xvii"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a nice, cheerful companion, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am a particular kind of damned fool."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There isn't going to be a next one," I said, -almost fiercely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not suppose there was," he replied, smiling -to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I shall see her again, ran the refrain; but I did not -know then how soon it would be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how did you like the Princess?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, she is a charming girl," I said lightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I have heard; it is a pity that your proposed -visit to Sonale was interfered with."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was; but Zeula had good reasons for recalling us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He generally has good reasons for everything, -hasn't he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Princess is an awfully nice girl." Which -afterwards I thought particularly tame.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, of all the artful women!" I shook my -finger at her severely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do believe that you have been fooling me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you take me for a stupid woman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I went across and knelt at her side; she ran her -fingers through my hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mother dear, she is the sweetest girl in all the world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I love her so much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know, I did not ask her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know, I think I was too scared."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That she might say 'no.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother gave a little laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think you need have been afraid, my boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But mother dear, she seemed so pleased to hear -that I was engaged; of course she misunderstood me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I related what had happened, for every word was -engraved upon my memory, and when I had finished -I said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you see, mother, that I couldn't say anything -then, could I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course not, my boy; but I am quite sure -now that you need not have been afraid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you really think so, mother, or are you -saying that to soothe me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I really mean it, dear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was an ass, wasn't I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, my boy, for how should you have known -the workings of a woman's mind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, when I thought of it, how could I?</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is his Christian name Boris, your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have known him since childhood; my sister -married his cousin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you know of his engagement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the obstacles in their way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you like the young man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is a great favourite of mine, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why did you not mention his name to me -when I asked your opinion the other day about the -appointment?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty has done so much for me that I -could not ask favours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, General, I shall not forget. Landsberg -has the appointment, also the secretaryship -which is vacant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He thanked me gravely and was about to depart, -when I called him back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If your Majesty finds that I fail in my duty, it -will be through curiosity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have just been seeking an audience with your -Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then come with me now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Landsberg, what has upset you, and in -what way can I assist you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came to ask your Majesty for leave of absence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I raised my eyebrows. This was quick work, -considering that he had only joined such a short -while.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I feel sure you have good reasons for your demand; -are they of such a nature that you can confide in me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty, I wish for leave of absence -to punish a man who has grossly insulted a lady who -cannot retaliate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can have no duels in Rudarlia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty, the man I would punish is a -Bornian, or rather he lives in that country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No officer in my Guards must be mixed up in -any scandal, Landsberg."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I assure your Majesty there shall be no scandal, -no one will know my name or anything about me, -and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is only one lady whose wrongs you have a -right to redress. Is Mademoiselle Sonia the lady -in question?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No member of your family?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, your Majesty, but it is a lady whom I -revere, and too highly placed to take notice of the -insult."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many do you know?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I grew colder, and then hot in a quick flush of -burning rage: some one had insulted my Princess.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may tell me about it, Landsberg."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something in my voice must have startled him, -for he looked up sharply, and hesitated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me," I said again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is Princess Irma, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How was she insulted and by whom?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In an article in a paper, may I give it to your -Majesty to read?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you it with you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is here, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pulled a paper from the front of his tunic and -handed it to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty then gives me leave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, not for the purpose you think, but to -accompany me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will come to Sonale with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw his eyes gleam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the chauffeur, your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will drive, and Bauen will accompany us. -You will, of course, be in mufti, without any mark -by which you could be recognised."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; at what hour shall I await your Majesty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may come here at a quarter-past ten, the -car must be ready at the half-hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A small parcel had been given to me, which -contained the necessary disguise, and at the time -appointed Captain von Landsberg appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Help me with this," I said, holding out a stick -of paint.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In ten minutes we were on our way. At six -o'clock we drew up in front of a small hotel in -Sonale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I have been all impatience for your arrival."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have found out what your Majesty wishes -to know, and more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty, the man who wrote the -article will not be at work for some time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, isn't he in Sonale?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is, your Majesty, but we are too late, some -one has already done what we came to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damnation! But who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank your Majesty most gratefully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His face was all smiles, and I felt pleased that -some one should benefit by our trip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With no hope in my heart that the time would -pass quickly, I smoked and yawned, yawned and -smoked, until twelve o'clock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door opened and Landsberg appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a lady who wishes to speak to your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The devil!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Victor, only me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landsberg had decently left the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Princess, oh, Princess."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor, oh, Victor." The little witch had hypnotised -me, and then was graceless enough to mock at me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Irma, I love you, I love you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She gave a little start and I felt her hands tremble; -I saw a new look come into her eyes, rather startled, -and shy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Victor, what are you saying?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want me to say?" she said, so softly -that only my lover's ears could have caught the words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say you love me a little, my darling."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would hardly be true, Victor, for I love you -with my whole heart."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are rather astonishing, Victor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why am I astonishing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isn't it rather unusual--your mode of procedure, -I mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is none the worse for that, but I suppose it -might strike a casual observer as rather strange."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think it would," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am so silly, but I am so happy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So am I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you know I was here?" It had only -just struck me that I had not told Landsberg not -to mention the fact.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sonia told me, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must make Landsberg a General."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know Sonia is outside?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, dear, it was not for that, but to thank you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whatever for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Couldn't you have thought of one for yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes," she said teasingly, "I could have come -and asked you to marry me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not asked you yet, now I come to think -of it, so will repair the fault, if you please."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go down properly on your knees then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I did as she bade me, and she put her hands one -on each side of my face, and held me fast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didn't you know I loved you, Victor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, my darling, how could I? Why, when I -left you the other day, I thought you were absolutely -indifferent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why did you carry me off my feet to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty has my most humble congratulations, -and I am sure Landsberg would be -surprised, if he knew that your Majesty wished it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While the would-be surprised Captain was still out -of the room, I said good-bye to the Princess, my Irma.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="id1"><span class="bold large">VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We had gone a considerable way before I broached -the subject of the punishment meted out to the -writer of the scurrilous article.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter with your hand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing much, I knocked some skin off it, and -slightly strained one of my fingers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you do that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hit it against something."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did as I wished, and I sat down near him, filled -my own pipe, and remained silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I saw Princess Irma to-day. We are going to -be married."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm glad, and congratulate you, Victor. Now -tell me about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you think I am an infernally lucky chap?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother took a great liking to the bride; and, -when the couple returned from their honeymoon, she -often had her to her room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once she turned to me and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Victor, what dears they are, I know I shall -love them all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And there was I, laughing and bowing, and feeling, -if it can be believed, extremely wise, and not a bit -of a fool.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesties are safe, unhurt? Ah, God be -praised!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both quite unhurt, but get one of the other -carriages here quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The only thought which brightened me was that -my wife had given proofs of her love, by trying to -screen me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the same day, only very much later, when, -having dined </span><em class="italics">en famille</em><span>, 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think it would be wise to tell him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is that?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neville has a theory," said Zeula.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But only a theory, there is absolutely nothing to -connect the two things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which two things, what are you talking about?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't follow you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I told him, Victor; and, as I myself could not -go, he was only too happy to volunteer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But why go at all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They did not answer me; and after a minute I -smiled, and held out my hands to the two of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't mind confessing now that you were -right, and I am glad that I did not have to do it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was evident relief in their voices when -they spoke again, asking me what I thought of the -theory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Victor, look at those people! Do you think -they want to see us? because if so I must go and -arrange my hair."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A remark which might lead people to imagine that -the King of Rudarlia was a very ordinary young -husband after all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So do I, but I did not wish to be disturbed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nor did I, there are such beautiful views from -up here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both Irma and myself were absolutely amazed at -the artistic merit of these things, as well as at the -cleverness of the workmanship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you say these were made in your village?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty, by my nephew, a young man -who does nothing else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to see him, these works of his are -very good indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is here, may it please your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Present him to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A young fellow, assisted by sundry nudges, -detached himself from the group behind the Mayor, -and stood respectfully hat in hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you the metal worker responsible for these?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xix"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIX</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is a wonderful thing that rarity should add so -much to the value of anything.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The art of Rudarlia, what might it become?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better tell me what you are thinking," -I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am thinking that Rudarlia may be famous for -its art life, if you care to make it so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Grey-haired Monarch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is my wisdom so great?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, oh King! that was not my thought."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you give me a reason why she should not -have more?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not if you say that she is to have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Victor, let us spend this evening planning -out what we might do, or rather what we can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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 </span><em class="italics">non est</em><span>. 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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We therefore found the place absolutely deserted, -save for a few pigeons, and cats who would not desert -their old haunts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As we walked and examined, we explained to my -mother and Mr. Neville what we proposed doing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how about feeding your colony?" asked -Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where do you propose obtaining the artists you -speak of?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My mother laughed, which was wrong of her, and -said quietly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How nice! I can imagine that I have ever so -many different husbands, and so need not get tired -of one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can see that this will lead to a family quarrel, -so will turn the subject," said Mr. Neville.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Another thing that I shall do," I said, "is this: -no Royal person shall be allowed to come here -without a special permit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He would keep us out of Eden," murmured Irma.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zeula with a brush full of paint shall keep the -entrance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was from Mr. Neville, so as I had them all -against me I surrendered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What an absurd thing young human nature is, -that is, when it is natural and nice--and I was both.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was in connection with this gallery, that I -instituted a new Order in Rudarlia: the Order of Merit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carruthers' letter ran:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"MY DEAR OLD SPLOSH,</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"A very curious thing has happened, which -has caused me a lot of worry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="chapter-xx"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XX</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is not Herr Bjornston in, then?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked at my watch, it was already past the quarter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think he will return then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Undoubtedly, your Majesty; Herr Bjornston is -never late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I will wait."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps your Majesty might be interested in -these sketches?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you," I said, smiling. "You suffer -with your eyes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing serious, your Majesty, a trifle weak, -that is all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not seen you before, have I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I only came here last week, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You assist Herr Bjornston perhaps?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was kind enough to give me employment -when one of his regular men fell sick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, indeed, you are not a student then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was once, your Majesty; but fortune deserted -me, and I became through necessity a labourer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is sad, perhaps your luck may improve in -the future."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope so, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What made you come to Karena?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you any of your own efforts with you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unfortunately, no, your Majesty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, we must see what you can do; there is -always room for talent here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank your Majesty most sincerely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Untie these ropes at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty is pleased to jest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will find it no jesting matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You speak of the future; perhaps your Majesty -will have a clearer vision to appreciate this position."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't quite know, never having been to the -place to which your Majesty is going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be foolish, my man; untie this rope and -I will be lenient with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you see this, your Majesty, can you guess -what it is for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will serve a good purpose, and keep you down -nicely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are determined then to murder me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A rough word, surely your Majesty means execute."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I give you my word that your father died a -natural death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He naturally died, you mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean what I said."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, for the first time in my life, I call a King -a liar to his face; it is quite an amusing sensation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not a liar; but no matter, now listen to -me. You are going to murder me----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Execute."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ransom yourself? Well, I should have to -dictate the terms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, what are they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The remaining years of your life." He laughed. -"Now I think that is enough; what message do you -wish to send?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A hundred thousand pounds would make you -very comfortable for the rest of your life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But not as comfortable as your death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two hundred thousand and no questions asked, -with absolute freedom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You cursed devil!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will give you one minute more," I heard him -say, and he began to count.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bauen, Bauen," I called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Majesty?" came the answer, to my joy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you hurt, Bauen, can you come and cut me -free?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, your Majesty, I cann----" There was a -little sigh and then silence again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A loud, insistent knocking at the door now drew -my attention, and I raised my voice:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Break down the door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"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."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Irma said quietly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Bauen, who saved them all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That I should remember this incident is in no way -strange, for it was only to-day that it happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, good night, General."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he always gives the same reply:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good night, God bless your Majesty!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">JOHN LANE'S LIST OF FICTION</span></p> -<div class="align-None container plainpage"> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ARTHUR H. ADAMS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A TOUCH OF FANTASY -<br />GALAHAD JONES--A TRAGIC FARCE -<br />GROCER GREATHEART</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY W. M. ARDAGH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE KNIGHTLY YEARS -<br />THE MAGADA</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLIAM ARKWRIGHT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE TREND</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY H. F. PREVOST BATTERSBY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE LAST RESORT -<br />THE LURE OF ROMANCE -<br />THE SILENCE OF MEN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY PETER BLUNDELL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>LOVE-BIRDS IN THE COCO-NUTS -<br />OH, MR. BIDGOOD -<br />THE FINGER OF MR. BLEE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERARD BENDALL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE ILLUSIONS OF MR. & MRS. BRESSINGHAM -<br />THE PROGRESS OF MRS. CRIPPS-MIDDLEMORE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY PAUL BERTRAM</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE FIFTH TRUMPET -<br />THE SHADOW OF POWER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ALICE BIRKHEAD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>SHIFTING SANDS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WALTER BLOEM</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE IRON YEAR. Translated from the German by STELLA BLOCH</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FRANCIS ADAMS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A CHILD OF THE AGE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY SHELLAND BRADLEY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ADVENTURES OF AN A.D.C. -<br />AN AMERICAN GIRL AT THE DURBAR -<br />MORE ADVENTURES OF AN A.D.C.</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERTRUDE ATHERTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A WHIRL ASUNDER -<br />SENATOR NORTH -<br />THE ARISTOCRATS -<br />THE DOOMSWOMAN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY EX-LIEUT. BILSE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>LIFE IN A GARRISON TOWN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MRS. CHARLES BRYCE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MRS. VANDERSTEIN'S JEWELS -<br />THE ASHIEL MYSTERY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY JAMES BRYCE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE STORY OF A PLOUGHBOY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLIAM CAINE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BILDAD THE QUILL-DRIVER -<br />BUT SHE MEANT WELL -<br />HOFFMAN'S CHANCE -<br />THE IRRESISTIBLE INTRUDER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY DANIEL CHAUCER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE NEW HUMPTY-DUMPTY -<br />THE SIMPLE LIFE LIMITED</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MAUD CRUTTWELL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>FIRE AND FROST</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY SIDNEY DARK</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT BE KING</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY THEODORE DREISER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE GENIUS -<br />THE TITAN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MARION FOX</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>APE'S FACE -<br />THE BOUNTIFUL HOUR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLEM DE VEER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>AN EMPEROR IN THE DOCK -<br />BATTLE ROYAL</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CARLTON DAWE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE REDEMPTION OF GRACE MILROY -<br />THE SUPER-BARBARIANS</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE WORKS OF ANATOLE FRANCE IN ENGLISH</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Edited by FREDERIC CHAPMAN DEMY</span></p> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>AT THE SIGN OF THE REINE PEDAUQUE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BALTHASAR</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by Mrs. JOHN LANE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CRAINQUEBILLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by WINIFRED STEPHENS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>JOCASTA AND THE FAMISHED CAT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by Mrs. FARLEY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>MOTHER OF PEARL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by the EDITOR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>MY FRIEND'S BOOK</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by J. LEWIS MAY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>ON LIFE AND LETTERS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by A. W. EVANS. Series I and II</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>PENGUIN ISLAND</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by A. W. EVANS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>PIERRE NOZIERE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by J. LEWIS MAY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THAÏS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ROBERT B. DOUGLAS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE AMETHYST RING</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by BERENGERE DRILLIEN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE ASPIRATIONS OF JEAN SERVIEN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by LAFCADIO HEARN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE ELM TREE ON THE MALL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by M. P. WILLCOCKS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE GARDEN OF EPICURUS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE GODS ARE ATHIRST</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE MERRIE TALES OF JACQUES TOURNEBROCHE.</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE OPINIONS OF JEROME COIGNARD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE PATH OF GLORY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by A. R. ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE RED LILY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by WINIFRED STEPHENS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE REVOLT OF THE ANGELS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by Mrs. WILFRID JACKSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE WELL OF ST. CLARE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by ALFRED ALLINSON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE WHITE STONE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by C. E. ROCHE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>THE WICKER-WORK WOMAN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A Translation by M. P. WILLCOCKS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY EVELYN BRENTWOOD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>HECTOR GRAEME -<br />HENRY KEMPTON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY JOHN BUCHAN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>JOHN BURNET OF BARNS -<br />SCHOLAR GIPSIES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY G. K. CHESTERTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE NAPOLEON OF NOTTING HILL</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY A. R. GORING THOMAS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MRS. GRAMERCY PARK -<br />THE LASS WITH THE DELICATE HAIR -<br />THE STRONG HEART -<br />WAYWARD FEET</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERALD GROGAN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A DROP IN INFINITY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERALD CAMPBELL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE JONESES AND THE ASTERISKS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FREDERICK BARON CORVO</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>IN HIS OWN IMAGE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY VICTORIA CROSS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE WOMAN WHO DIDN'T</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GEORGE EGERTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>DISCORDS -<br />KEYNOTES -<br />SYMPHONIES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CYRIL HARCOURT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>FIRST COUSIN TO A DREAM -<br />THE WORLD'S DAUGHTER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HENRY HARLAND</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>COMEDIES AND ERRORS -<br />GREY ROSES -<br />MADEMOISELLE MISS -<br />MY FRIEND PROSPERO -<br />THE CARDINAL'S SNUFF BOX -<br />THE LADY PARAMOUNT</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FRANK HARRIS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ELDER CONKLIN -<br />GREAT DAYS -<br />MONTES THE MATADOR -<br />UNPATH'D WATERS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY E. CROSBY HEATH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>HENRIETTA TAKING NOTES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY A. C. FOX-DAVIES</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE FINANCES OF SIR JOHN KYNNERSLEY -<br />THE MAULEVERER MURDERS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ELIZABETH GODFREY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE CRADLE OF A POET</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY JOHN GORE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE BARMECIDE'S FEAST -<br />THE SILLY SEASON</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HANDASYDE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>FOR THE WEEK-END</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ALICE HERBERT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>GARDEN OATS -<br />THE MEASURE OF OUR YOUTH</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MURIEL HINE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>APRIL PANHASARD -<br />EARTH -<br />HALF IN EARNEST -<br />THE INDIVIDUAL -<br />THE MAN WITH THE DOUBLE HEART</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ADELAIDE HOLT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>OUTSIDE THE ARK</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FORD MADOX HUEFFER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE GOOD SOLDIER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY VIOLET HUNT and FORD MADOX HUEFFER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ZEPPELIN NIGHTS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY KEBLE HOWARD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MERRY-ANDREW -<br />THE GREEN FLAG</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLIAM BERTAL HEENEY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>PICKANOCK</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILFRID SCARBOROUGH JACKSON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>TRIAL BY MARRIAGE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CECIL STARR JOHNS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MRS. JOHN LANE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ACCORDING TO MARIA -<br />BALTHASAR AND OTHER STORIES -<br />KITWYK -<br />MARIA AGAIN -<br />THE CHAMPAGNE STANDARD -<br />TALK OF THE TOWN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY STEPHEN LEACOCK</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ARCADIAN ADVENTURES WITH THE IDLE RICH -<br />BEHIND THE BEYOND -<br />LITERARY LAPSES -<br />MOONBEAMS FROM THE LARGER LUNACY -<br />NONSENSE NOVELS -<br />SUNSHINE SKETCHES OF A LITTLE TOWN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY VERNON LEE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>LOUIS NORBERT</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY RICHARD LE GALLIENNE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN GIRL -<br />THE ROMANCE OF ZION CHAPEL -<br />LITTLE DINNERS WITH THE SPHINX -<br />PAINTED SHADOWS -<br />PROSE FANCIES -<br />SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE PROSE FANCIES -<br />THE BOOK BILLS OF NARCISSUS -<br />THE WORSHIPPER OF THE IMAGE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY AGNES GORDON LENNOX</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A GIRL'S MARRIAGE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLIAM J. LOCKE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A STUDY IN SHADOWS -<br />AT THE GATE OF SAMARIA -<br />DERELICTS -<br />IDOLS -<br />JAFFERY -<br />SIMON THE JESTER -<br />STELLA MARIS -<br />THE BELOVED VAGABOND -<br />THE DEMAGOGUE AND LADY PHAYRE -<br />THE GLORY OF CLEMENTINA WING -<br />THE FORTUNATE YOUTH -<br />THE JOYOUS ADVENTURES OF ARISTIDE PUJOL -<br />THE MORALS OF MARCUS ORDEYNE -<br />THE WHITE DOVE -<br />THE USURPER -<br />WHERE LOVE IS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY INGRAHAM LOVELL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MARGARITA'S SOUL</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CECIL CHAMPAIN LOWIS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>FASCINATION</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY LAURA BOGUE LUFFMAN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A QUESTION OF LATITUDE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY A. NEIL LYONS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ARTHUR'S -<br />CLARA; SOME CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF A HUSSY -<br />COTTAGE PIE -<br />KITCHENER CHAPS -<br />MOBY LANE AND THEREABOUTS -<br />SIMPLE SIMON -<br />SIXPENNY PIECES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FREDERICK NIVEN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE LOST CABIN MINE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ALLAN McAULAY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BEGGARS AND SORNERS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY KARIN MICHAELIS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ELSIE LINDTNER A SEQUEL -<br />THE DANGEROUS AGE -<br />THE GOVERNOR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY IRENE MILLER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>SEKHET</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HECTOR H. MUNRO (Saki)</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BEASTS AND SUPER-BEASTS -<br />THE CHRONICLES OF CLOVIS -<br />THE UNBEARABLE BASSINGTON -<br />WHEN WILLIAM CAME</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MADGE MEARS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE JEALOUS GODDESS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY PIERRE MILLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BARNAVAUX -<br />JOFFRE CHAPS -<br />LOUISE AND BARNAVAUX -<br />TWO LITTLE PARISIANS -<br />UNDER THE TRICOLOUR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY LOUIS N. PARKER</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>POMANDER WALK</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY JOHN PARKINSON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>OTHER LAWS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MRS. C. S. PEEL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MRS. BARNET-ROBES -<br />THE HAT SHOP</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY F. INGLIS POWELL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE SNAKE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY F. J. RANDALL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE -<br />THE BERMONDSEY TWIN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY SIDNEY SCHIFF</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>CONCESSIONS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HUGH DE SÉLINCOURT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A FAIR HOUSE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY VERE SHORTT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>LOST SHEEP</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERTRUDE STEIN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THREE LIVES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY DORIS SOMERVILLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>GREEN CHALK</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GEORGE STEVENSON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>JENNY CARTWRIGHT -<br />TOPHAM'S FOLLY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HERMANN SUDERMANN</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE SONG OF SONGS (Das Hohe Lied) -<br />THE INDIAN LILY AND OTHER STORIES -<br />REGINA; or THE SINS OF THE FATHERS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY SIR FRANK SWETTENHAM</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ALSO AND PERHAPS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MARCELLE TINAYRE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MADELEINE AT HER MIRROR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MRS. HORACE TREMLETT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>CURING CHRISTOPHER -<br />LOOKING FOR GRACE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GEORGE VANE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE LIFTED LATCH -<br />THE LOVE DREAM -<br />THE SNARE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY SYDNEY TREMAYNE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE AUCTION MART</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY L. VAIL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE HOUSE IN LITTLE ITALY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY DUDLEY STURROCK</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE DISTANT DRUM</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CLARA VIEBIG</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ABSOLUTION -<br />THE SON OF HIS MOTHER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE TOMBOY AND OTHERS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY H. G. WELLS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE NEW MACHIAVELLI -<br />SELECT CONVERSATIONS WITH AN UNCLE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MARGARET WESTRUP</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ELIZABETH'S CHILDREN -<br />ELIZABETH IN RETREAT -<br />HELEN ALLISTON -<br />PHYLLIS IN MIDDLEWYCH -<br />THE YOUNG O'BRIENS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY EDITH WHARTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE GREATER INCLINATION</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY DEMETRA VAKA</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A CHILD OF THE ORIENT</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY EDITH WHERRY</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE RED LANTERN</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY M. P. WILLCOCKS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A MAN OF GENIUS -<br />THE WAY UP -<br />THE WINGLESS VICTORY -<br />WIDDICOMBE -<br />WINGS OF DESIRE</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY F. E. MILLS YOUNG</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ATONEMENT -<br />A MISTAKEN MARRIAGE -<br />CHIP -<br />GRIT LAWLESS -<br />MYLES CALTHORPE, I.D.B. -<br />SAM'S KID -<br />THE GREAT UNREST -<br />THE PURPLE MISTS -<br />VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY FRANCES FENWICK WILLIAMS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A SOUL ON FIRE</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>POPULAR CHEAP EDITIONS</span></p> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY H. G. WELLS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE NEW MACHIAVELLI</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GERTRUDE ATHERTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE ARISTOCRATS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY MRS. JOHN LANE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ACCORDING TO MARIA</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY WILLIAM J. LOCKE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>A STUDY IN SHADOWS -<br />AT THE GATE OF SAMARIA -<br />DERELICTS -<br />IDOLS -<br />SIMON THE JESTER -<br />THE BELOVED VAGABOND -<br />THE GLORY OF CLEMENTINA WING -<br />THE MORALS OF MARCUS ORDEYNE -<br />THE USURPER -<br />THE WHITE DOVE -<br />WHERE LOVE IS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY A. NEIL LYONS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ARTHURS -<br />KITCHENER CHAPS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY M. P. WILLCOCKS</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE WINGLESS VICTORY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY F. E. MILLS YOUNG</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>CHIP</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ANATOLE FRANCE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD -<br />THE RED LILY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HANDASYDE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>FOR THE WEEK-END</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY PIERRE MILLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>JOFFRE CHAPS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CAPTAIN BLACKALL</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>SONGS FROM THE TRENCHES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY THOMAS O'TOOLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE WAY THEY HAVE IN THE ARMY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY G. K. CHESTERTON</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>GEORGE BERNARD SHAW</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE NEW -<br />POCKET LIBRARY</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Printed from a clear type, upon a specially thin -<br />and opaque paper manufactured for the Series</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Pott (6 X 3-3/4 in.)</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Bound in Cloth Price 1s net</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Bound in Leather Price 2s net</span></p> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ALROY, ETC. -<br />CONINGSBY -<br />CONTARINI FLEMING -<br />HENRIETTA TEMPLE -<br />SYBIL -<br />TANCRED -<br />THE YOUNG DUKE, ETC. -<br />VENETIA -<br />VIVIAN GREY</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HENRY BROOKE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE FOOL OF QUALITY (2 vols.)</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GEORGE BORROW</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>LAVENGRO -<br />THE BIBLE IN SPAIN -<br />THE ROMANY RYE -<br />THE ZINCALI -<br />WILD WALES</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY GEORGE ELIOT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>ADAM BEDE -<br />SCENES OF CLERICAL LIFE -<br />SILAS MARNER -<br />THE MILL ON THE FLOSS</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY EDWARD FITZGERALD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>EUPHRANOR</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES -<br />THE SCARLET LETTER</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY HERMAN MELVILLE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>TYPEE -<br />OMOO</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>MR. MIDSHIPMAN EASY -<br />PETER SIMPLE -<br />THE KING'S OWN -<br />THE PHANTOM SHIP</span></p> -</dd> -<dt class="noindent"><span>BY ANTHONY TROLLOPE</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BARCHESTER TOWERS -<br />CASTLE RICHMOND -<br />DR. THORNE -<br />FRAMLEY PARSONAGE -<br />ORLEY FARM (2 vols.) -<br />RACHEL RAY -<br />THE BERTRAMS -<br />THE KELLYS AND THE O'KELLYS -<br />THE MACDERMOTS OF BALLYCLORAN -<br />THE SMALL HOUSE AT ALLINGTON (2 vols.) -<br />THE THREE CLERKS -<br />THE WARDEN</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold">LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>VICTOR VICTORIOUS</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46735"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46735</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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™ -electronic works to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and -trademark. 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