All night long the war-beacons of Theos reddened the sky and the thunder of artillery woke strange echoes amongst the mountains. There were three passes only through which the Turks could force their way into the fertile plain which stretched from Theos southwards, and each one, to their surprise, was found well guarded and fortified. A simultaneous advance was repulsed with heavy loss. At Solika only, on the far east, where the veteran General Kolashin was in command, the first position was carried, but this temporary success was counterbalanced by the immense losses inflicted on the advancing columns from the second and more secure line of fortifications. Across the plain a light railway from Theos all night long brought reinforcements and stores to the different positions. Ughtred himself, by means of an engine and fast horses, visited before daybreak the three points of attack. He was present and himself directed the successful resistance at Solika. He returned to Theos at daybreak hopeful, and even with a certain sense of relief that the worst had now come to pass.

Still in his uniform, stained with blood and dust, the King sat at a small writing-table in his retiring-room reading the day’s letters and telegrams. Already he had been busy with tongue and pen. His appeal for intervention, couched in dignified and measured terms, had been written, signed, and dispatched by special messenger to England, France, and Germany. For Ughtred had a very keen sense of proportion. Courageous though he was, and confident in the bravery of his people, he knew that his resistance unaided could only be a matter of time.

Hiram Van Decht, now a privileged person at the palace, came in to him as he sat there.

“I guess you don’t want to be bothered just now,” he remarked, apologetically, “but Sara’s bound to know how things have gone so far.”

Ughtred wheeled round in his chair and welcomed his visitor.

“Cigars at your elbow,” he said. “Help yourself.”

Van Decht disregarded the invitation. He looked steadily at the King. Then he rang the bell.

“You’ll forgive the liberty, I know,” he said, “but I’m going to tell that flunkey of yours to fetch a flask of wine, and see you drink some.”

Ughtred smiled.

“I was just going to order something,” he said. “I’ve had a hard night. So far nothing has gone amiss. Our outposts were rushed at Solika, but our main position was easily held.”

Van Decht nodded.

“That’s good! Any fighting at Althea Pass?”

“We are being heavily shelled there and at Morania, but I consider that both places are almost impregnable. Solika is where we must concentrate. You see we have treachery to fear there. It is a frontier town and full of small Russian traders. Reist is garrisoning the place, and General Dartnoff is in command of the forces holding the Pass. Just now everything is quiet. I fancy they are waiting to bring up more heavy guns.”

Van Decht lit a cigar meditatively.

“This is what beats me,” he remarked. “I can never figure out your European politics, but I should never have thought that England and Germany would have allowed a small, unoffending country to be overrun and grabbed by a lot of heathen infidels.”

Ughtred sighed.

“It is hard to understand,” he said. “Only you must remember this. Selfishness is the keynote of international politics, as of many other things. A single Power is always afraid of moving for fear of disturbing the balance of nations. Besides, they all know that this is no war between Turkey and Theos. It is Russia who is pulling the strings.”

“That’s all right,” Mr. Van Decht admitted, “but I should say that you’ve a sort of a claim on England. You’re half an Englishman, anyway. You’ve fought her battles. She’s big enough to give you a lift.”

“If help comes from anywhere,” Ughtred answered, “it will come from England. I have appealed to the Powers, and to England especially. Mr. Ellis has already been here, and he is representing my case strongly.”

Wine was brought in, and food. Ughtred ate little, but smoked a cigar.

“What’s the next move?” Mr. Van Decht asked.

“Well, I am waiting now for news from Reist,” the King said. “We are in telegraphic communication with Solika, and I can get there on my engine in an hour. So long as we can hold Solika we are safe, for I do not think that we can possibly be outflanked. Our whole southern frontier only extends for forty miles, and there are only two practicable passes.”

“Reist anything of a soldier?” Mr. Van Decht asked after a brief silence.

“For this sort of work—excellent!” Ughtred answered.

“You trust him?”

“As myself. I never knew a man more devoted to his country. It is his religion! Why do you ask?”

Van Decht took his cigar from his mouth and regarded it thoughtfully.

“Sara doesn’t like him!”

The King laughed.

“He’s no lady’s man.”

“Sara has instinct,” her father remarked. “Can’t say I take to him myself. There’s a kink in the man somewhere.”

Ughtred smiled.

“Well, it isn’t in his loyalty or his bravery,” Ughtred answered. “He is my best soldier, my most capable adviser, and I owe him my kingdom.”

Van Decht abandoned the subject.

“I’ll get along,” he said, rising. “Take my advice. Lie down a bit till your message comes along. You’re looking pretty bad.”

Ughtred smiled.

“The first day of war,” he said, “even on a small scale, is the most wearing. Later on we shall take things more easily. Only you must remember, sir, that it is for the liberty of an ancient kingdom we fight, not only for our own lives, but for the happiness of unborn generations. I would sooner see Theos blotted out forever from the map of Europe and the memory of man than have her exist a vassal state of Russia.”

Mr. Van Decht departed in respectful silence. If tradition or sentiment appealed to him but slightly, he knew an honest man by instinct, and he was fast drifting into a very close sympathy with his future son-in-law.

There came word from Reist within the hour. Ughtred tore open the envelope and spread out the cipher-book before him.

“No signs of movement on part of enemy. Scouts report big guns being mounted on positions commanding ours. Solika restless. Have hung two spies. General Dartnoff desires council of war this afternoon.”