“It is not only your country’s welfare,” Domiloff said, “which trembles in the balance. It is her very existence. I appeal to you, General Dartnoff—to you, Bushnieff. If you accept this man, Theos as an independent country will soon be blotted from the map.”

Domiloff stood leaning with his back against the long deal table. Gathered together before him were a dozen men or more in the undress uniform of the Moranian Guards. Dartnoff, his white hair brushed straight back from his forehead, a tall, soldierly figure notwithstanding his sixty years, stepped a little forward.

“My friend, Domiloff,” he said, “we are gathered here, as you know, in a state of some indecision. I will frankly admit that as yet we have not made up our minds how to act. Yet it seems to me that you go a little far. We have more faith in ourselves and in the destinies of our ancient kingdom than you seem willing to give us credit for. The end might be as you say supposing we found ourselves involved with one of the great Powers. But let me assure you, Baron Domiloff, that the contest would be no bloodless one. Theos has held her own, beset though she has been by powerful enemies, for many centuries.”

A little murmur of applause escaped from the lips of those gathered around him. Domiloff held up his hand.

“The past of your country,” he exclaimed, “is a magnificent chapter in history. It is the more incumbent upon you to see that she has a future. Warfare to-day has become a science. Reckless bravery is no longer the surety of success. Theos is without any of the modern appliances of war. Her artillery is ancient and her guns fit for the dust-heap. General Dartnoff, a heavy responsibility rests upon your shoulders.”

Dartnoff stroked his long grey moustache thoughtfully.

“Domiloff, my friend,” he said, “you appear a little flurried, but you are also very much in earnest. Now speak to us exactly the words which are in your heart. You have advice to give, eh? Well, we will listen.”

Domiloff moved to the high bare window, and looked downwards towards the town. As yet there was no sign of the figures which he dreaded to see. He faced once more the little assemblage.

“Here are plain words,” he said, speaking rapidly, and with rising colour. “If I have seemed evasive hitherto it is because I come to persuade, not to dictate, and I know that the tempers of you men of Theos are easily kindled. Nicholas of Reist brings to-day a forgotten descendant of the Tyrnaus family, and with your consent would make him King. I say with your consent, because the House of Laws is nothing to-day but a farcical assembly, and they will do what Reist bids them. The real decision rests with you. Listen. Russia will refuse to recognize this man. If you accept him her restraining hand upon Turkey will be removed. Russia herself may not think it worth while to move against you, but even now in secret the Turks are massing upon your borders. They wait only for the signal.”

Dartnoff nodded gravely.

“Well,” he said, “let us hear what will happen to us supposing we accept your warning and refuse to recognize Ughtred of Tyrnaus.”

“The protection of Russia,” Domiloff cried, eagerly. “My master himself shall guarantee your independence. I will give you pledges. You will reserve for a friend and an ally the most generous of the Powers. But you must be quick,” he added, with a sudden start. “Now is the time for you to act. Close the gates upon those who come here to-night. It shall be your answer.”

Dartnoff shook his head.

“I cannot do that,” he said. “Nicholas of Reist is a colonel in our army, and he has the right to enter here at any time.”

There was the thunder of hoofs in the courtyard. Domiloff bit his lip and looked nervously around.

“Reist is a traitor,” he exclaimed. “It is against the law to harbour a Tyrnaus.”

“We will hear what our friend Nicholas of Reist has to say,” Dartnoff answered, coldly. “You might perhaps find it advisable to retire, Baron Domiloff.”

The door was thrown open. Nicholas and Ughtred entered. General Dartnoff stepped forward.

“General,” Nicholas exclaimed, “and brother officers of the Thetian Guards. I have the honour to present you to Prince Ughtred of Tyrnaus.”

Ughtred held out his hand frankly. But there was not one of them who did not bow low, after the manner of one making an obeisance rather than exchanging greetings.

“Your names are well known to me,” Ughtred said. “I believe that by hereditary right I may call myself a colonel in your regiment and a brother officer.”

Dartnoff bowed.

“Your Highness is pleased to remember what is undoubtedly a fact,” he said. “The brave deeds of Captain Erlito in the Soudan have been a source of pride to all of us.”

Ughtred smiled with pleasure—and Nicholas, with his hand upon his sword, addressed General Dartnoff in clear tones.

“General Dartnoff,” he said, “I take the liberty of addressing you as Commander-in-Chief of the Thetian army. The Republic of Theos has ceased by reason of its own misdeeds to exist. I have always, as you know, refused to recognize its legislation. I claim that its decree abolishing the ancient monarchy and establishing a republic here was invalid and worthless. We have been made the laughing-stock of Europe by the gold-bought merchants and traitors who have presumed to occupy the high places of Theos. That is all at an end. It rests with us to restore honour and dignity to our country. There is but one way, but that a sure one, General Dartnoff and brother officers. We come here alone and unattended, but had we wished it we could have stormed your walls with half the population of Theos at our backs. I call upon you all to take the oath of allegiance to Ughtred of Tyrnaus, King of Theos, by divine right and the choice of the people.”

General Dartnoff hesitated for a moment.

“Duke of Reist,” he said, slowly. “You ask us to take a step on the impulse of the moment from which there could be no drawing back, which for good or for evil must decide forever the destinies of our country. Whatever my own personal inclinations might be, I owe it to my brother officers, and to our deep sense of patriotism to consult with them for a few minutes.”

Reist would have spoken hastily, but Ughtred checked him.

“General Dartnoff has spoken like a wise man,” he said. “I am content to wait.”

With folded arms, drawn to his full height, a commanding figure indeed, Ughtred of Tyrnaus stood by the window looking down upon the city and the country which he loved. General Dartnoff, surrounded by his officers, stood at the head of the table. In the further corner of the room where the shadows were deepest Domiloff lurked. He watched their faces, and he knew that the game was lost.

Only a very few minutes had gone by before Dartnoff approached the two men by the window.

“Your Highness,” he said, to Ughtred, with marked respect. “There is one question which we feel constrained to ask.”

Ughtred bowed.

“As many as you will,” he answered.

“In your coronation oath you swear to maintain inviolate the independence of Theos. We would know if at all costs, though the cost should be famine, death or annihilation, will you keep this oath to the letter?”

“May God have no mercy upon me hereafter if ever I should depart from it one hair’s-breadth,” Ughtred answered, with a sudden note of passion surging up in his tone. “I have no fancy for ruling a tributary state, sir. My forefathers have held safely for Theos through long generations the priceless gift of her liberty, and I would sooner die a thousand times over than that mine should be the hand to part with it.”

General Dartnoff dropped on his knee, and drawing his sword from his scabbard, kissed its hilt.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “we are all your faithful servants.”