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Victor Victorious

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Title: Victor Victorious

Creator: Cecil Starr Johns


        
Release date: August 30, 2014 [eBook #46735]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46735

Credits: Produced by Al Haines


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VICTOR VICTORIOUS ***




Produced by Al Haines.




                                 VICTOR
                               VICTORIOUS


                          BY CECIL STARR JOHNS



                   LONDON: JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD
                      NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY
                                 MCMXV




            THE ANCHOR PRESS, LTD., TIPTREE, ESSEX, ENGLAND




                                   TO
                                  IRMA
                                MY WIFE




                           _*AUTHOR'S NOTE*_

_This book was written in the spring of_ 1913--_fifteen months before
the outbreak of the present war._

_September_, 1915.




                          *VICTOR VICTORIOUS*



                              *CHAPTER I*


It was a magnificent tree, old and stately; it was, moreover, the first
cause of grief that I can remember.  Its foliage in summer afforded much
shade, and in the mornings when the sun was shining caused patterns to
appear on the floor of my nursery; my sorrow was, that I could not
fasten the pattern to the floor with tacks, tacks of the ordinary tin
variety, which I had procured from goodness only knows where.  I tried
again and again, weeping bitterly at my want of success.  I wept still
more bitterly when my nurse returned; but that is a detail which has
nothing to do with these memoirs, it is a sacred thing not to be spoken
of lightly.

Such is the first of my remembrances, and I was then between three and
four years of age.  After that, my memories are confused and not
particularly interesting, much the same, I daresay, as many millions of
children can look back on: childish miseries, mishaps and pleasures, but
always of the same place and the same people.

The house we lived in was not large, but the garden was; a splendid
garden full of flowers, trees and shrubs, wild places and rockeries,
while at the end flowed a tributary of the Thames, which to my childish
vision was a most noble river.  I imagine that its importance increased
every time I was warned against going near the edge; and, as this
injunction was repeatedly laid upon me, the Amazon or the Mississippi
must have been mere streams in comparison.  As, however, I obeyed and
religiously refrained from falling in, I can only suppose that in those
days I was singularly obedient, and also lacking in enterprise.

I remember my nurse; she was a most lovable woman, with a comfortable
lap and nice kind arms.  She let me have my own way; and I am sure I
loved her very much.

Then, of course, there was my mother, but somehow my childish memories
of her are vague.  I fancy I was a little bit frightened when in her
company, for no reason that I can recall, excepting the fact that she
smiled so seldom.

And then there was my great friend, Bauen, a very dark and swarthy man
who attended to the horse and pony.  I loved him best of all.  He was a
peculiarly silent person, who never spoke unless directly addressed, and
never wasted words when replying.  He worshipped my mother and myself. I
remember one occasion, when I attacked him with a switch because I was
angry with him--I was only five at the time, so I could not have hurt
him much--he just stood and looked at me, with his eyes full of tears,
until I felt like a little beast and cried too, imploring him to forgive
me.

I couldn't understand why, when I put my arm round his neck and kissed
him, he only kissed my hand in return.  That was the only time we ever
had a difference of opinion, and I believe then only because I wished
for the impossible.  It was Bauen who first set me astride the pony's
back and taught me most of what I know of horses and riding; knowledge
which has been of great value to me.

He also would keep me quiet for hours with wonderful stories, of which
he seemed to have a never ending supply, tales of giants and fairy folk,
which I know now were the legendary doings of the ancient heroes of his
own country.  It is wonderful to me that children can remember the fairy
tales of their early years, and to this day I can recall my thrills at
the story of the prince who turned himself into an ivy plant so that,
when it had grown up a tall tower, a princess could use it as a means of
escape.  I had plenty of time to listen to these stories, for I never
had any playmates of my own age.  Not knowing the joys of companionship,
I experienced no pain at the lack of comrades; nor were my days unhappy,
for they were carefully arranged by my mother; so much work, and then
perfect freedom to do what I wished, as long as I did not stray from the
garden.

At an early age I could read and write, not English but French.  My
education at that time was a source of great perplexity to me: my
infantile mind could never hope to understand the reason why, just when
I was able to speak in one language, I was switched on to another; but
so it was.  In this way I learnt to a certain extent French, German,
English, and lastly a language which my mother spoke when addressing her
women, and which she assured me, one day, was the language spoken by the
people of my own race: Rudarlian.  I do not remember that this
information added much to my pleasure in learning the language, I do not
think that at that early age nationality troubled me a great deal.

However, I must have been born with a gift for languages, and they all
came easily.  In after years I appreciated the value of the teaching,
for I found it had given me command over the subtleties of
pronunciation.

Most of my days were spent in the following manner: I was out of bed
very early, summer and winter, every morning starting with a cold bath
and simple exercises; then came breakfast, after which half an hour was
allowed for a scamper in the garden, a visit to the stables, and then
work until eleven o'clock.

From eleven until one, my time was occupied by play and dinner, a meal
rather too ceremonious for my liking; then, work again until two-thirty.
Of course, as I grew older, these hours were altered, and my play was
curtailed, a thing which did not cause me any unhappiness, as I loved my
books, chiefly owing to the intelligent methods of instruction, which
leads me to further acquaintances--two men.

One, about forty-five years of age, appearing considerably older on
account of his grey-tinged hair, came to visit my mother once every
year.

At first whenever he came my mother appeared unhappy; so much so that
when I was six I connected his appearance with my mother's tears, and
threatened him with I know not what.  She, however, put her arms round
me and assured me that Mr. Smith was the best friend she had.

Mr. Smith--Mr. Smith.  In those days I never thought that I should owe
you so much.

He it was who introduced Mr. Neville to my mother.

Mr. Neville became my tutor.  He is another to whom I owe much, very
much, but my indebtedness to him is of a different kind from my
indebtedness to Mr. Smith.

I was eight when my tutor appeared upon the scene; tall and
broad-shouldered, a fine athlete, an ex-university don, and, as I found
later, strong in every sense.

He had a method of teaching peculiarly his own, simple, practical, and
yet full of the most complete wisdom.  His teaching awoke my childish
interest; under his handling, dry facts of history became fraught with
vivid life, and that perhaps was the study which fascinated me the most.
He showed me the indirect effects of various actions, proving how nearly
always they are more potent and far-reaching than the direct.  Dates,
the plague of most childish brains, he never troubled about.

With wonderful word pictures, he conjured up before my eyes the lives
and deeds of long-dead heroes and monarchs, pointing out their failings,
explaining their actions.  His knowledge was vast, I realise that now;
he would encourage me to observe everything, and he was never wearied of
explaining the why and the wherefore.

In matters geographical it was the same.  Not content with teaching me
the names of cities, rivers, etc., he would take me mentally to the
places we spoke of, informing me of their imports, exports, mineral
wealth, and chief manufactures, giving me brief historical lectures to
explain the reason for certain boundaries, describing the lives, rural
and urban, of the inhabitants, discoursing on their modes of conveyance,
fighting power, anything--everything. He assisted his words with
photographs. Perhaps if I had had boy companions, I should have been a
worse pupil; I don't know.  As it was, I sat, metaphorically speaking,
in rapt adoration, drinking in his words, remembering much, thank God.

Even arithmetic was made interesting after I had mastered the first
simple rules.  Owing to the thorough grounding I had from him, I seem
all my life to have had a deep sense of arithmetical proportion, not
only in figures but in the events of every-day life.

His lessons were short; I was never given more at one time than I could
assimilate; the moment that he noticed the slightest falling off of my
attention he would cease.  "Now," he would say, "that's enough for the
moment, let us go and exercise our bodies."

Away we would go, in any weather, for a walk or swim, a ride, or row up
the silent little stream. Even then my instruction went on, not that I
was aware of it at the time, but by subtle little observations which led
me to ask questions and take an interest in all forms of life.

When he came, I saw much less of my mother; she was a great many times
away from home, sometimes for days, sometimes for months.  In my
childish way, I observed changes in her, not in her manner to me--that
was always kind and affectionate, though withal a trifle stately--but in
appearance.

She dressed more in colours, and seemed gayer and less wrapped up in her
own thoughts.  With perfect confidence I mentioned my thoughts one day
to Mr. Neville, but he laughingly declared that it was owing to his
presence, as now she had not the worry of looking after me.

"I did not think that I was a great worry," I said innocently.

"No, my boy, I don't imagine you could have been," and his hand rested a
moment upon my head.  "So we must look elsewhere, mustn't we?"

"Yes, but I should like to know, because I might help."

"Not at present, I think; some day, perhaps, when you are older.  You
see, your mother has had a great deal of trouble in her life, but even
troubles lose their poignancy after years; so take my advice and wait
patiently.  When the time comes you will be told without a doubt."

By this time I had such absolute faith in my tutor that I accepted what
he said without hesitation; and thought no more of the matter.

When I was ten years old, a great change took place.  My mother married
again--an American.

It came quite suddenly, this marriage.  I had no idea, no thought of
possessing a stepfather; presumably, I was too young to understand or be
bothered with information.

My own father was more of a myth than a reality; I had no memory of him,
he was rarely mentioned by my mother, and my nurse would only answer my
questions concerning my progenitor in a vague manner.  That he had been
a soldier, I gathered from the fact that he had been killed at the head
of his own regiment; Mr. Neville had told me that, during a lesson
dealing with the history of Rudarlia.

Had I been older, I might have wondered at the way in which I was taught
the intimate history of such a small kingdom, far more minutely, indeed,
than that of great powers like England or France.

During this lesson I read that King Merlin I of Rudarlia had been killed
in a revolution, his cousin ascending the throne.

"I wonder if my father was there?" I asked.

"Yes, he was there."

"Was he a soldier?"

"Yes."

"Did he get killed?"

"Yes, he was killed at the head of his regiment."

"Oh!"

I remember that, in my dreaming for months after that, I pictured a man
resembling in turn Mr. Neville and Bauen at the head of a magnificent
regiment, charging, killing, and behaving like one of those old heroes
with whom I was familiar.

But to return to my stepfather.  He was a man of about fifty, very tall,
and handsome, possessing the musical, low-pitched voice of the Americans
from the more Southern States.

At first his coming made little difference to me, I accepted his
presence in much the same spirit as I accepted most things; Mr. Neville
and my mother were there, so it must be all right.

I can see now that it showed consummate tact on his part to behave as he
did to me.  He never sought me, never objected to my presence with my
mother, never assumed any kind of parental prerogative; but, instead,
suited his conversation to my understanding, asked my opinion gravely in
small matters, and related many tales of adventure, in such a way as to
leave me ready for more.  Above all, he made me realise that he would
like my affection.

He it was who gave me my first horse.  I had always ridden the pony, so
it was a great joy to me to be able to accompany Mr. Neville on an
animal equal in height to his.  Then again, it was my stepfather who
first taught me to box, use the rapier, and shoot with a revolver,
himself superintending my efforts with the greatest care; until from
being a stranger he became a friend, one whom I could love, trust, and
admire, nearly as much as Mr. Neville. Whenever I think of those two
men, my thoughts are almost hushed, they were so good, so kind, so
perfectly unselfish to me, with no ulterior motive besides my
well-being, both for the time and the future.

They gave me of their best, mentally, physically, and morally.

Perhaps the chief thing I learnt from them was a sense of duty.
Whenever there was something to be done, each put the question before
me, for me to decide whether I considered it obligatory on me. They
would advise thought first before deciding, and then would say no more.
They were very good friends, these two.

Mr. Smith continued his yearly visits, but now each time he came the
three men and my mother would hold a solemn conclave from which I was
excluded.

He was becoming to me something more than the apparition of former
years, as he would talk more to me, showing a considerable amount of
interest in my studies, and would ask permission to send me books, which
were mostly stories of war.

War was a subject which appealed to me, for my feelings towards soldiers
were almost sacred.

My stepfather had given me a great number of small leaden warriors, and
I fancy that he must have had them made for me, as they were absolutely
complete in detail.  They consisted not only of the actual fighting men,
but artillery, commissariat, red-cross waggons, and engineers.

With these, when the weather permitted, we would adjourn to the garden,
and on a patch of rough ground fight out the great battles of history.

Perhaps ten little pieces of lead counted as at regiment, or one small
brass cannon a whole battery; it did not matter, the main thing being
that the opposing armies should be as near as possible to the actual
strength of the armies they represented.  It would have amused people
perhaps to have seen the group we made: two elderly men and one small
boy absolutely engrossed in their game; if it could be so termed.

Personally, I have never underrated the effect it had on me, and I trace
the success I have met with in real warfare to the accuracy and care we
expended on these occasions.  Naturally many questions had to be asked,
and these were generally answered by my stepfather, who was a great
authority on all things pertaining to war.  How he could make the
necessary leisure to play with me I cannot understand, for his must have
been a very strenuous life, although I did not realise it at the time.

Two more years went by, and then I was informed that it had been decided
to send me to school, an idea which at first did not greatly charm me.
It had never entered my head that I should ever be a schoolboy, it had
seemed to me that I was apart somehow from all other boys, and although
I had read books of school life, they had never appeared real to me,
most probably because I had never known anyone of my own age.

When the thought obtained a firm footing in my mind, it began to wear a
more interesting aspect, for I conjured up alluring adventures, and
finally grew to like the idea so much that I was all excitement for the
entrance examination.

The only drawback that I could perceive, was the fact that I should have
to leave Mr. Neville, and my mother and stepfather.  It was difficult to
conceive life without them, but they one and all pooh-poohed that side
of it, and told me that it was high time that I got away from their
apron strings.  In spite of this Spartan argument, I know they were very
sorry when the day came for me to depart.

I passed my entrance examination too well, rather too brilliantly, and
was therefore put into a class with boys a good deal my senior;
consequently my first term was not all my fancy had painted it. At
first, I foolishly imagined that school was the place for work, so
endangering my reputation by being looked upon as a "swot," and
something of a prig.  Realising this and recognising my shortcomings, I
scrupulously refrained from working hard and devoted myself to games.

The senior I fagged for was a nice, kind chap who treated me with great
consideration for the first few days, but after that he treated me in a
way that was essentially good for my soul.  He did, however, explain
many little difficulties in regard to games and encouraged me to go in
for them hot and strong.

With the majority of my schoolfellows I was on good terms; I had the
usual number of scuffles which could not be called fights, only one
coming under that category; that was with a fellow whom I disliked
heartily, for no particular reason; he returned the feeling and tried to
bully.

We therefore set to in good earnest; he was two years older and a good
deal bigger; it is undoubtedly true that I should have received a
thrashing, had it not been for the tuition I had received from my
stepfather.  I held my own for ten rounds, when we were stopped by a
prefect.  I had a beautiful black eye and a cut lip, as well as sundry
bruises.  My opponent, ditto, ditto; he looked worse, however, because
he was full-blooded.

My reputation went up enormously after that. We never finished that
scrap, but used to conduct ourselves civilly towards each other.  It is
wonderful how a tussle can clear the air.

I made a friend that day, Rupert Carruthers, the second son of the Earl
of Yelverton.  He is still my friend.

My stepfather was delighted when he heard of this fight, and joked with
Mr. Neville about it.

"We shall have him in the ring one of these days, eh, Neville?"

"Ah! he might be happier so."  A remark which at the time was
unintelligible to me.

I do not think my mother was pleased, she said nothing.

These were very happy years; I did as little work as I could, but I
played games with every ounce in me, hence I became a good all-round
athlete.

In the holidays I studied with Mr. Neville to make up my lapses of the
term, and I found it quite enjoyable; he always had the power of making
me think more clearly than anyone else ever had.

My stepfather encouraged me in sport of all kinds, boxing, foiling,
swimming, rowing, and shooting. He had had a magnificent gymnasium built
in the garden and had also rigged up a shooting range for revolver
practice.

I believe if I had been the veriest fool and lubber, these two men would
have made me different.

My great chum, Carruthers, and I were inseparable, and sometimes
exchanged visits to each other's homes.  I remember the first time he
came to our place; when we went to bed he slipped into my room, which
adjoined his, to have a chat.  We could both of us do well in that line.
This night, however, he did most of the talking, chiefly eulogising my
stepfather and Mr. Neville; he spoke with a keen appreciation of their
qualities, especially of those I most admired in them; which showed, now
I think of it, a perspicacity I had not credited him with.

My mother had received him kindly, but with that unapproachableness
which often mystified me; and he was almost shy when speaking of her.  I
chaffed him about his nervousness when she asked for an explanation of
the nickname he always used when speaking to me: "Splosh."  Of course he
could not give any reason, as there was none to give; but he managed to
murmur that I was called Splosh, by every one, because I looked like it.

This lucid explanation was sufficient and convulsing for my stepfather
and Mr. Neville, but did not seem to charm that dear mother of mine.

Carruthers' last remarks that night were: "What a lovely mother you
have, Splosh."

"Yes, she is," I said.

"I think I should be scared of her."

"Why?"

"I dunno, but I should.  Good night."

If he had waited, I might have confessed that sometimes I felt the same
myself.

Mr. Smith came for his yearly visit that month; he took quiet notice of
Carruthers.

Towards me his manner had changed slightly. He was, I thought at the
time, rather ceremonious; but he gave me some splendid lessons with the
foils, and I forgot about it.  He stayed longer than usual, and his
conversations with my mother were more drawn out.

It was about this time that a vague feeling first entered my head about
my mother; I fancied there was some mystery attached to her, and I in no
way desired that such a thing should be.  The strange reticence every
one showed when I endeavoured to ask questions about my family, the
periodical visits of Mr. Smith, the care taken to exclude me from all
their conversations, all these things made me wonder, and then
Carruthers asked me one day to show him a picture of my father.

Picture of my father, picture of my father?  I had never seen one; it
struck me that this was extraordinary, almost as extraordinary as the
fact that never before had I wished to see one.  There had never been
one that I could remember, no painting, drawing, not even a photograph,
but I did not like to tell Carruthers that, so I made some excuse, and
slipped away.

The desire to know what my father looked like became very strong,
mingled with a feeling almost of shame; he may have loved me, petted me,
planned out my future, and yet I had never given him more than a passing
thought.  In fact, I had grown to look upon my stepfather as my real
parent and certainly cared for him that way.

When I slipped away from my chum, I got into a boat and pulled up the
river to my favourite lounging place, and then I spent an hour or two,
lying on my back, staring at the sky and vainly striving to explain what
now I was convinced was a mystery.  I recalled the early visits of Mr.
Smith, when my mother used to cry; could it be that my father had
committed some crime?  Surely not, but why was he never mentioned, why
were there no pictures of him in the house?

I was in a mood full of curiosity, but this soon changed to one of
anger, I don't quite know why, unless I thought that I was old enough to
be told anything there was to know.

In this angry state I rowed back and stumped straight up to the house,
no doubt with great dignity.

My mother was sitting talking to Mr. Smith and my stepfather.

"Why, Victor, how flushed you look; is there anything the matter?" asked
my mother.

"Can I speak to you a minute, mother?"

"Of course, what is it?"

I blushed furiously, and blamed my own precipitation.  Why had I not
waited a better opportunity?  I could not ask the question I wanted to
ask with the others there; but I had to say something, and so blurted
out:

"Oh, it does not matter now, mother."

I believe that Mr. Smith made a sign to my stepfather, because they both
rose, and, after mentioning billiards, disappeared.

I glanced round hurriedly; this was better.

"Mother."

"Yes, Victor."

"I want to see a photograph of my father."

Her face grew very cold and stern.  Without a word she got up and walked
slowly into the house; I followed.  In her boudoir she handed me a
miniature--I did not look to see where she took it from--and so, for the
first time that I had remembrance of, I saw my father's face.  I don't
know what I thought of the face, but the eyes were kind eyes.  I stared
long and fixedly at the miniature; various feelings surged through me,
far too subtle to describe.

At last I handed it back.

"Thank you, mother," I said.

"Is that all you wished, are you satisfied now?"

"No, I can't say that I am satisfied, because there are so many things I
wish to know; is there any reason why I should not be told about him?"

"There is, Victor."

"But it is nothing wrong, is it?"

"Wrong?  My God! yes! it is wrong, but it does not take from your
father's name.  Listen to me, Victor; you are growing into a man, when
the time comes, you shall be told many things, until then wait
patiently, my boy, I promise that you shall know everything."




                              *CHAPTER II*


I now knew that there was something mysterious about my parentage--the
interview with my mother had at least settled that point--but all the
certainty in the world could not prevent my mind continually turning to
it, and this had rather a curious effect upon me: it made me quite
humble-minded.  I do not mean to imply that my normal state was
bumptious beyond the ordinary, but it had a chastening effect upon my
mind.  I disliked the thought of the unknown.  I desired to have a
father whom I could speak of without any kind of doubt.  As it was, I
found it necessary, upon several occasions, to slur over any allusions
to him, and schoolboys are not always tactful in their dealings with
reticence.  However, the fact that he had been a soldier generally
proved sufficient to satisfy the curiosity of the inquirer.

Another thing which annoyed, or rather chafed me was the length of time
that must necessarily elapse before I could know, for I had no doubt
that it would not be until I came of age.

My disturbed state of mind did not prevent me enjoying my life
immensely; and at eighteen I found myself in a very enviable position in
the school, and one which I believe was a record in its way, for I was
captain of the school, and also captain of the cricket eleven.  I may
say that the latter was by far the more important post in my eyes, and
certainly much the nicer.

I take no credit for being the best boxer and fencer in the school, for
I had done both since very early childhood, and had had most excellent
instructors.

It was a great shock to me to learn that I was to leave school, it
seemed to be the most complete upheaval I had ever experienced.  I hated
the idea, it caused me an infinite amount of real trouble to get myself
into the proper frame of mind to behave decently about it.  Yet, had I
thought, I might have recalled numerous hints that I had received from
my people, and which would have prepared me better; presumably I had
been so engrossed in my own little affairs that I had not paid too much
attention.

I shall never forget the last day of that term, I felt as though I was
going to execution, and absolutely beastly; had I been a girl I should
have cried my eyes out.  With the eyes of my world upon me, however, I
had to make a brave show, and say good-bye to every one and everything;
and lastly I had to have an interview with the head-master.  I had,
naturally, had much to do with him as captain of the school, and we were
very good friends.

He was a short, thickset man with a great white beard, who bore a
tremendous reputation for severity among the boys; but those among them
who got to know him found a warm-hearted, kindly, genial man.  After
speaking with me for some time he said good-bye, adding a few words
which I shall never forget.

"My boy," he said, "I have this to say to you: no matter where you are,
or what befalls you, remember that over us all, king or peasant, there
is God.  Turn to Him in your troubles, thank Him for your joys. That you
will do your duty through life, I feel assured, however hard it may be,
however irksome. The love you have inspired in your comrades will, I
hope, be inspired by you in the world; I, and others, will pray for you
in the future.  May God keep you in his sight."

I could not help wondering, as I left his study, why such emphasis had
been laid upon my future. What did it portend, did the head-master know
anything of which I was ignorant perhaps, for since my interview with my
mother two years before, I had made no further inquiries.

When I was home again, I found that they were beginning to treat me as a
man; and for three months or more I spent my time in sport.  By which I
do not mean killing things, that was a pursuit I never really cared for.

Towards the end of this time Carruthers paid me a visit from Sandhurst,
into which he had passed a year or so before I left school; after his
visit I began to wonder what I should do with my life.  His stories of
the great military college had fired me with a desire for the army.

It was after dinner some three nights following his departure that I
broached the subject of my future.

"I wish to know what vocation you think I am suited for?"

I spoke collectively.  My mother gave a little start, looked quickly at
my stepfather, gave a little sigh, and remained silent.

My stepfather smiled a trifle grimly, he too did not speak.  Mr.
Neville, however, answered me.

"What do you yourself feel inclined for?" he asked.

"I hardly know.  You see, I have never thought much about it until
lately; but it seems to me, that now I have left school, I ought to do
something to be independent."

"There is no need of that, Victor," said my stepfather.  "Would you not
be content to stay here, and wait for a little?"

"If I did, it would prevent my going to Sandhurst."

"Aha! that was in your mind then.  I rather suspected it.  Rupert's
reports, eh?"

"Yes," I said.  "It seems a nice life, and I might do well as a soldier;
what do you think?"

My mother leaned forward.

"Victor, do not set your heart upon it, I think that it will be
impossible."

"Oh, am I also to know the reason for that, some day?"

"Yes," she answered, "that goes with the rest."

"Well, I shall be very pleased when that day comes."

"Ah!" said Mr. Neville.  "I wonder."

We sat silent for a while, and then I said again:

"What am I to do?  You know, I am completely in the dark about
everything.  I have been supplied with money, it is true, but is it
mine, or is it yours, mother?  These things ought, I think, to be
explained to me.  Shall I have some day to work for a living, or do I
inherit anything when I come of age, because I feel that, in the latter
case, I can take a course that will be totally different to what it
would be supposing I had to earn bread and cheese."

My stepfather had risen and was walking up and down the room.

"I quite see your point, my boy," he said, "and I think that you are of
an age to understand me, when I say that you will never want in the
future: you will inherit a certain sum on coming of age, which will be
enough to keep you handsomely in any ordinary way.  When I die, you will
have everything of mine, and I trust you will then be in a position to
make good use of it.  That, I hope, is sufficient to say about financial
matters; about your career, it is more difficult.  If I were you, this
is what I should do: I should ask Mr. Neville to come with me and should
then take a continental tour.  See everything, meet everybody, acquire a
knowledge of mankind, virtues, and vices.  Spend money when you think
good may come of it; read and digest history as you go, also national
law, and natural law; gain as much knowledge as you can of affairs
military; study arms and armaments, from cutlasses to cannon.  Your
cadet corps has given you a capital foundation to work on.  Then in two
years return to us.  That is my advice, and I know your mother will
agree."

"Yes," said my mother a trifle sadly, "I agree."

"But could you not give me some idea, so that I may study for my future
as well as all those things you mention?"

"I believe that if you study those things, Victor, they will be of
immense importance to you in what I hope will be your career.  You may
trust your mother and myself to give you the best advice we can."

"Of course I do," I said, "but it is puzzling, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is, but this you may count on: you shall know everything you
wish when you come of age," said my mother.

"Thank you, mother."  I turned to my old tutor.  "Mr. Neville, will you
come with me?"

"I will," he said.  "It will be a pleasure for me to renew my
acquaintanceship with the continent."

"Then let us go; and, for my part, the sooner the better, for the time
will pass more quickly."

"Don't forget the old advice to 'hasten slowly,'" my stepfather
remarked.

"To-morrow," said my mother, rising, "we will plan out your tour."

I went to bed that night with fresh fields of thought open to me.  I was
now to see all those places of which I had read and heard; I was to
study everything.  The thought flashed through my brain, that from this
advice I ought to be able to glean something of my parents' views for my
future, which I immediately tried to do, but without any satisfactory
result.  I wondered whether they wished me to enter the diplomatic
service; but, if that were so, why be mysterious about it?  It was a
perfectly feasible career to anyone like myself.  I was pleased with
this idea, and indulged in a little fanciful dreaming, seeing myself as
an ambassador, carrying through some skilful piece of diplomacy with
great success.  I believe that this was still in my mind when I fell
asleep.

The next week passed in a whirl of preparations. It was decided that we
should go first to Paris, and then roam wherever we willed, to St.
Petersburg or Rome, to Egypt or Iceland.

For the first time that I can remember, my stepfather spoke to me of
money.

"Victor," he said, "it is necessary that you should acquire a knowledge
of the value of money; I don't mean of pennies being saved to make
pounds, but I wish you to get used to the handling of large sums, to
appreciate what such sums can buy.  It is an extremely difficult thing
to discover the best method of learning this; I believe there is no
certain way, it depends so much on the individual.  I don't fancy that
you have ever been in debt or money difficulties, have you?"

"Never, you gave me such a ripping allowance, I never spent it all."

"Didn't you?  All the better, it proves that you are not thoughtlessly
extravagant; but I don't wish you to be too careful either.  I want you
to be so used to handling and spending money that, if, in the future,
the occasion arises where it is wise to spend a big sum, you will do it
without hesitation; for delay often spells ruin.  Now don't forget, I
want you to spend money, as much as you like, ten, thirty, fifty
thousand pounds, if you wish; and, my boy, I will confide in you this
much, if you spent twice that sum, I shouldn't feel it."

"You must be jolly rich then," I said, although I only vaguely realised
the position.

My stepfather smiled.

"I am, but I don't wish people to know it."

I have often wondered what other young men of my age would have felt
under similar conditions.

To be invited to spend as much money as they liked, to have it made a
point almost of favour that they should do so.

I suppose their thoughts would have run wild on all kinds of imaginary
delights, and pastimes; as for me, I hardly felt even a passing thrill
at the prospect. I had always been lavishly supplied with money, and
strangely enough had no expensive tastes or habits; I needed very little
to make me happy. As it was, I gave my word to spend whenever I could.
But I could not help laughing as I did so, it seemed so funny.

"Possibly I may have this explained when I come of age," I remarked.

My stepfather laughed.

"Yes, I think so, Victor."

                     *      *      *      *      *

I do not intend to give an account of our tour, the places we went to
can be read of in Baedeker, or other guide books, that is, for the most
part.  We did go to some small places out of the regular beat, but
nothing extraordinary happened.

We visited France, Germany, Italy, Russia, during the first two years,
generally making Paris our head-quarters.

I followed strictly my stepfather's advice, studying everything and
everybody.  In those two years I must have shed at least seven skins of
ignorance, and acquired seven others of knowledge, and, with the
knowledge, understanding.

Naturally, Mr. Neville being with me aided me enormously; without him, I
should no doubt have profited far less.  He it was to whom I turned
continually for guidance and explanation.  When I say guidance, I mean
mentally, as in all decisions of a physical nature I was made to decide
myself.

In each country, as we visited it, he pointed out in his lucid way the
chief points of government, and many were the discussions we had over
the selection of the finest.

At first, I remember, I was inclined to favour theories, but before his
searching dissection they very soon crumbled away.

We had many letters of introduction to notable people, wherever we went;
and these enabled us to obtain a grasp of the real life of all classes,
for we invariably found some one who could and did act as guide.

Sometimes we would go for a walking tour lasting a month or six weeks,
sometimes we would motor through a great tract of country, barely
stopping a day in any one place.

We met many people, young and old, men and women, and as my mind
expanded I seemed to read their characters, recognising their virtues
and their vices, carefully stowing the results of my investigations away
in the recesses of my brain. I was repeatedly told that I was handsome,
sometimes subtly, more often quite openly.  This was news that failed to
interest me.

Women with languorous glances, or carefully dropped eyelids, had little
fascination for me; and so I passed through, unscathed, what would have
been irresistible temptations to many.

Perhaps I was cold by temperament, or perhaps my upbringing had taught
me to avoid such pleasures, or, again, perhaps I was simply waiting for
love to come to me.

Now although, as I say, I evaded these things, I take no credit to
myself; they were not for me, that was all.

I did not quite understand myself then, and I find it hard even now to
say what prompted me to keep sexually clean.  I in no way avoided
opportunities, as in my desire for knowledge I would often with some
acquaintance or friend visit the haunts of the _demi-monde_ and
underworld; I do not say it was necessary to seek such opportunities.
The society we naturally consorted with differed strangely little in
essentials.

I have seen a man, head of a noble family, deliberately cheat at cards;
and I have experienced the disagreeable duty of refusing the amorous
advances of more than one _grande dame_.

I, personally, find much blame for the man, and very little condemnation
for the woman, for the craving of sex must be the most difficult of all
to fight, and conquer.

As I have said, we studied four great nations in two years,
superficially, of course; but the knowledge we gained was good.  One
subject in particular I had given my whole attention to, whenever
possible: war, chiefly in the way of preparation for attack or defence.

It was extremely interesting to me to discuss with Mr. Neville, or with
a soldier if possible, the defences of any place.

Of course, as outsiders, we were never allowed to inspect any of the
fortified places of Europe, but we would discuss them nevertheless, and
I was always trying to find the best plan of defence for these places.
The military portion of the friends we made seemed much amused with me;
I don't know why, unless it was my eagerness.  All the same they entered
into the fun of "drawing a civilian," and bantered me unmercifully,
which I know was excellent for me.

I remember once, when motoring through France, entering into a heated
discussion with a celebrated French General; I refuse to allow for one
moment that I wanted to lay down the law, although Mr. Neville did
suggest it afterwards.  This General, no doubt immensely amused by me,
pulled out a map of the district through which we were travelling.

"Now," he said, "supposing you had a force of so many men, with so many
guns, here," he jabbed with his finger, "and the enemy were here and
here, with so many men and guns, what would you do?"

This was a game I had often played, and I looked eagerly at the
map--there and there the enemy; my forces here.  It was impossible to do
anything except surrender.  I looked again.

"Where were my forces before they arrived in that position, in which
direction were they travelling, and with what object?"

"Well, suppose they were moving from A to try to get to B here."

Again I studied the map, the position was plain to read; had my
reconnaissance been carried out properly--and I should not have advanced
without--I could never have been in that position, rather should I have
branched off here, and so opened up a splendid line for either advance
or retreat.  I looked up at the General, he was just winking at another
officer who was with us; that settled it, just that wink, I knew then
that he was "drawing me again."  I smiled grimly.

"General, if ever you allowed your forces to get into such a position
you ought to be shot."

For a moment he looked at me, and then burst out laughing.

"_Mon Dieu!_ but he is right, this young civilian, but name of a little
dog! how did he know?  I ought to be shot, I ought to be shot.  Ha Ha
Ha!" he roared with laughter.

I was appallingly conceited inside, but made little of it outwardly.
The General, however, repeated the story so often, that I lost my
conceit, and was rather sorry I had been so clever.

Whether it was my enthusiasm, my youth, or the novelty of everything, I
don't know, but I enjoyed every minute of my time.  Physically I had
never been so fit; I took an enormous amount of exercise, walking,
riding, boxing with Mr. Neville and others, though chiefly with my
companion, who although not my equal in science, and a middle-aged man,
yet gave me a lot to do.  In each capital, I always went to the greatest
masters and studied with the rapier and sabre; I also kept up my
shooting.

I think I stopped growing in height about then--just an inch under six
feet--but I still continued to expand in width.  Illness had mercifully
passed me by.

We had been in Paris about three weeks, and were beginning to think of
moving on again, somewhere, I for one did not care where, because every
place was splendid; I was not the least tired of travel, neither bored
nor blase.  It was Mr. Neville who suggested Rudarlia.

We had spent the day at Versailles, a place which I never felt tired of
seeing or talking about, and that evening we were idling over our
dinner, when my companion said:

"And where to next, Victor?"

"I don't know," I answered with a little start, for he had read my
thoughts exactly.  "Where do you suggest?"

"There is Rudarlia."

I had thought of this many times, but had always deferred suggesting it.
I imagined that it would be perhaps better to leave this visit until
after I came of age and received the long-promised information
concerning many things; also I wished to view my own country, for the
first time, with a practised eye and balanced judgment.  I knew from
reading and conversation that Rudarlia was not in a flourishing
condition, and I did not want to be badly prejudiced by immature
impressions.  Now, however, Mr. Neville had suggested the visit, which
made a great difference.

"That requires thought," I said.

"Naturally; I only proposed it in order to discuss it with you."

"Well, what do you think, knowing how I feel on the subject, would you
say my mind was formed enough?"

He looked at me affectionately.

"My boy, the last part of your question I can answer at once in the
affirmative.  You know, I never pay you compliments, so you can believe
me when I say that, in my opinion, your views on most subjects are worth
listening to, and your grasp of life is astonishing to me.  As to your
wishing to defer your visit, the same idea had struck me.  Your mother
has never even hinted at any wish of hers in the matter, so, to make
sure of their views at home, I wired to them.  Their answer came to-day,
it was this: 'If he feels inclined.'"

"If I only knew," I murmured.  "It makes it very difficult, but I
suppose, as usual, I must decide. Don't you think that a great deal is
left to me?"

"Yes."

"And you agree with that course of procedure?"

"Entirely."

"Yet I should so like to have things taken out of my hands sometimes, it
would be ripping to feel, now and again, no sense of being in charge, so
to speak, of one's own life; it is rather overpowering to know that
everything depends on whether one says yes or no."

"And yet, my boy, there are many in the world, with larger
responsibilities than yours are at present; think, for instance, of a
great employer of labour who has to decide great things, affecting,
perhaps, the welfare of both his employes and his business. Think of
anyone in power, saying whether it shall be peace or war."

"But they have assistance in making up their minds."

"Certainly; it is there that we want you to differ from them, we wish
you in all things to be able to decide for yourself; to know how to
grasp the pros and cons, to weigh them one against the other, and give a
decision."

"But will that be of use to me, should I enter diplomacy?"

"You can only wait and see."

"Not much longer, thank Heaven!"

"Ah!" said Mr. Neville.

We drank our coffee before speaking again, then I said:

"We will go."

"Good! you have decided as I expected you to. We must arrange many
things first, however."

"What kind of things?"

"Well, do you intend going as a Rudarlian, or as an Englishman?"

"I have been English everywhere, so far, and for this visit will remain
so, unless I change my mind when there."

"Which way do you want to go?"

I thought a little while, and then said:

"I should like to enter the country on foot and walk to the capital; it
is a whim, I know, so if you don't feel inclined please say so."

"It is a first-rate plan, I think, and will be most enjoyable.  Anyway,
Karena is not far distant from the northern frontier."

"It will be hard going, from what I can gather, but it ought to be worth
while."

"When shall we start?"

"Oh," I said, looking at my engagement book, "would a week from to-day
suit you?"

"Perfectly, it will give us time to work out details."

Once the matter was settled definitely, I began to indulge in a little
wild speculation.  I was, naturally perhaps, excited at the idea of
seeing my own country, hearing my own tongue spoken every day and all
day, by my own countrymen and women.

The week fairly flew past.  I had written to my mother informing her of
our proposed trip, and received an answer back bidding me God-speed, and
also advising me on no account to seek to find out anything about my
father.  It was pointed out to me that I had only a few months to wait
and any premature disclosures might do much damage.

This, of course, was so much double Dutch to me, and only added to the
mysteriousness of everything. I therefore refused to think about it, but
I also resolved to abide by her wish.  The letter finished by expressing
satisfaction at the idea that I was to travel as an Englishman.




                             *CHAPTER III*


With as little impedimenta as possible, Mr. Neville and I bade au revoir
to Paris, little thinking that we had made it our head-quarters for the
last time.  Since then I have never stayed more than one night in that
city, when passing through.  I always feel glad that I saw as much of it
as I could, for, to my mind, it is eminently a city to induce memories,
and I like to look back on the jolly times I have had there.

We went by express to Nerane, the nearest stopping-place to the northern
frontier of Rudarlia, and drove in a cart to Melanov, that now famous
little town; in those days it was not known at all well. We arrived as
night was falling, and it was too dark to see anything of the country
which on the morrow we were to enter.  The cart deposited our shaken
remains at the only inn the place possessed.

I was glad there was only one, for if there had been another, with the
same failings, Melanov should have ceased to exist, at least that is
what I should have hoped.  We had sent our luggage to Karena by train,
and had with us just the necessities of life, in our knapsacks.  Our
visit excited an unreasonable amount of interest, but the innkeeper, a
fat, oily Greek, was obsequiousness itself, hovering round with a look
of cupidity and craftiness upon his most unprepossessing countenance.

Having removed traces of travel as well as we could, the next thing was
food.  This was rough and plentiful, with accent on the rough; but, in
spite of having recently left Paris, we had managed to acquire healthy
appetites and ate good dinners.

Having filled our pipes, we made ourselves as comfortable as the chairs
would permit and started talking; but just as we began to warm up to our
subject--which I remember dealt with the use of aircraft in war--there
was a bang on the door, and in stalked a soldier.

"Good evening," I said.

"Good evening, messieurs.  I must apologise for this intrusion, but as
Commandant of this frontier, I always make a point of inviting
travellers to spend an hour or so with me, in order, if I may speak
frankly, to prevent myself becoming too much of a barbarian to associate
with gentlemen.  I therefore beg of you to consider my poor quarters as
your own, at least the chairs there are in better repair than those you
are sitting on."

"You are very kind," I said.  "May I introduce Mr. Neville?  My own name
is Stevens."

"And I am Colonel von Quarovitch.  Now, since we know each other's
names, will you accompany me to what poor hospitality I can offer?"

We accepted his invitation with more pleasure than he could have any
idea of, for more reasons than one.  I think, in my case, it was the
knowledge I had already gained of those inhabitants of the inn who did
not pay taxes, and who seemed to like the taste of me.

The Commandant gave us some most excellent coffee.  At first, I believe,
he took us for spies, or at least emissaries of some foreign power; but
after a while his suspicions seemed to calm down, and soon we were
talking and laughing like good friends.

We informed him of our proposed trip, a thing to him undreamed of; but
all Englishmen are mad, that is well understood, so he gave an
expressive shrug of his shoulders, and offered us any assistance in his
power.

He was a fine, rugged-looking man, with great fierce eyebrows and eyes,
and I thought to myself that he should be a good soldier.  There was,
however, an undercurrent of deep resentment in his conversation when
speaking of his country's affairs.

Looking upon us as passers-by, he no doubt felt safe in laying bare his
grievances.  I do not suppose for one moment that he would have done
such a thing in the presence of any of his officers, or even civilians
of his own race.  He was a grumbling old bear, and told us that he had
been in his present grade for eighteen years, and for twelve in this
place, badly paid.

"His beloved Majesty needs all the money for his prostitutes," he
growled.  "There is no money for clothing or weapons for his army.  Here
am I, who have been in every fight for thirty years or more, wounded a
score of times, with only a few hundred men to guard a frontier, on
starvation pay; seeing men who have never smelt powder made generals,
passed over my head simply because they have influence either through
their females or through money.  And all the thanks I get for my
devotion to the monarchy is to be told that there are a hundred
applicants for my post if I request anything from head-quarters."

"Then your feelings are not over-kind to your King?" said Mr. Neville.

"King!" he roared.  "He is no King of mine, usurper and assassin.  I
continue to serve in his army, because there is no one who can fill my
place here properly, and my country comes before my own feelings still,
thank God.  And yet," he continued almost wistfully, "I feel assured
that, if war was declared to-morrow, some captain with influence would
buy my place, and I should be retired, as too old.  Too old, by God!  I
who know every stick and stone for a hundred miles round, who was
created Colonel on the battle-field by his late Majesty, God preserve
his soul; I, who have studied war since I could read, who can yet march
the stoutest man off his feet."

"But they couldn't retire you, Colonel?" I said inquiringly.

"Could they not, my young friend?  Ah, you don't know to what we have
fallen; not the people, they are as true and brave as ever, but the
courtiers, our rulers, rotten, degraded panders to a gross sensualist's
vices; bah! they sicken me.  Retire me they would without a thought, and
I could take my nobility back to my own dilapidated castle, and feed it
on the thousand pounds or so I have saved in thirty years' service."

"Is there not a great deal of discontent in the country?"

"Naturally! where do you find men who would not be discontented and
disgusted with underpay and insufficient food?  The peasants, too, are
ground down with taxes, until they starve.  One day some man, driven
desperate, will commit the crime of regicide, but perhaps it would not
be a crime in this case."

"Would that improve matters?" asked Mr. Neville.

"That I cannot say.  The next heir to the throne is a cousin, with
little Rudarlian in him; from all accounts he resembles the present man
in tastes and habits.  Ah! if only I had been in Karena twenty years
ago, with just the troops I have here, history would have been written
differently, and Rudarlia would have been another country, unless
Merlin's son had developed badly.  As it was, I, with many more
Loyalists, had been sent by a hound of a Minister to the other end of
the country; when we got back it was all over.  The whole of the
reigning family, father, mother, and son, had been assassinated; and the
present man Ivan was King, he had been waiting near the frontier for the
word to come."

"Had they no one to defend them?"

"Those who did were shot without scruple.  You know the miscreant fired
the royal apartments, burning the bodies of the Queen and the Crown
Prince; they were only recognised by the jewellery found on the charred
remains."

"What a terrible crime it was!" I said.

Colonel von Quarovitch sprang to his feet.

"Crime!" he cried, shaking his clenched fists above his head.  "Crime!
God's curse on the authors of it, it has ruined my country."

We stayed only a few minutes after this, finally wishing him good night,
and retired.

As we reached the inn, Mr. Neville and I looked at each other.

"Thank God for such men as that," said my companion.

His eyes were misty as he shook my hand, and turned away to his room.  I
did likewise, but slept little, I was too excited, I imagine; to-morrow
I was to enter Rudarlia, my own country.

My thoughts were extremely upsetting, the conversation we had had with
Colonel von Quarovitch had made me think a great deal.

Here was an elderly man, devoting his whole life to his country, without
hope of recompense.

His was an example of quiet heroism that set my blood on fire.  I
compared his position with mine, I blushed inwardly at the comparison;
of course so far I was not to blame, as I was not yet legally my own
master, but in a few months from now I should be; what then would my
course be?

Should I remain in England, with everything a man could wish for, or
come here to Rudarlia, and exert myself to the utmost, in trying to
cleanse the country of abuse?

Although I was young, I was not idiotic in my romanticism.  I fully
realised the futility of starting to wage war on a throne without a
great deal of assistance.  Could I obtain sufficient following, was I
capable of directing the campaign?  I would not use force, it would have
to be far more subtle; the Press must be won over first, and the natural
leaders among the people.  Was it possible?

I turned and twisted in my most uncomfortable bed, finding the greatest
difficulty in concentrating my thoughts.  There were so many conflicting
lines of argument to be considered; dreams, and ambitions, rose-tinted,
would confuse them.

I dreamed of a Rudarlia set high above the neighbouring countries in
everything, well governed, possessing a magnificent army, thoroughly
trained and equipped, faithfully paid, fed and clothed, returning for it
all a loyal devotion--to whom?

There, my thoughts balked--to the present King Ivan?  Impossible.  His
heir, according to Quarovitch, was little better.  Who then?  God knows
the misery I experienced in that _cul-de-sac_; I could see no way out,
except in the idea of a republic, and the thought of Rudarlia as
anything but a kingdom was unthinkable.

The only foreign power to which we could turn in safety for a monarch
was England.  No German princeling or Austrian Archduke would serve.
Russia?  As well ask a fox to take care of a chicken. Fool that I was,
here was I, a stranger, imagining that I alone could save the country;
there must be hundreds of brave men, far more shrewd than I, with
influence and wealth, who had no doubt thought and even tried to do the
same thing, yet they had failed.  That was my opinion when I reached the
blank wall in my mind, yet I could not give in, some power seemed to be
urging me to try other ways.

Morning came, and found me still puzzling, still without any loophole
through which to squeeze to the help of my beloved country.

I say "beloved," for now that I was on the borders, only a few yards
into Rudarlia, I felt surge over me an almost mad exultation, a thrill
of passionate feeling, quite foreign to my nature; I felt that that day
had marked a change in my life.

Any help that I could give must be a matter of time and the deepest
consideration; I would see what Mr. Neville and my parents said--and Mr.
Smith too.  I had forgotten him, had, I am ashamed to say, forgotten the
oldest of my friends, and one who would doubtless be overjoyed to hear
that I was in Rudarlia.

He would help me, perhaps, in any way that he thought good.

Well, it would wait with many things until my majority.

While dressing I thought of my stepfather; what would he think, as an
American, would he advise a republic?

And then his advice flashed across me: "Spend money when you think good
will come of it."

I had never followed his advice to any large extent, a hundred pounds or
so at a time.

"I wonder," I said aloud, "whether this is an opportunity?"

It was a fresh idea, and I dawdled over my toilet, so as to have more
time for consideration.

Could I in any way help Quarovitch and his men: would he accept
financial assistance, not for himself but for the troops he commanded?

I must see him, I decided that there and then.  It might be that I
should have to divulge my nationality to him, what did it matter?  He
was an honest and honourable man, on that I would have wagered anything.
So now, I could finish my dressing, and go down to my breakfast.

Mr. Neville was already in the room waiting for me; he looked at me
intently as I entered.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"No, very badly, the conversation of last night upset me, I think."

"H'm.  Well, do you know it did me too, but for different reasons, no
doubt.  Let us have breakfast, and talk."  He seated himself and began.
"We had better stick to English, it's safer," he remarked.  "One never
knows who can overhear.  First of all, I propose to tell you why you did
not sleep, then, why I was likewise kept awake; if I am wrong tell me.
You," he began decapitating an egg, "were engaged in thinking how you,
as a Rudarlian, could help your country.  You made and unmade many
plans, each one, however, was to your mind impracticable; am I right?"

"Quite right," I said.

"It was this knowledge of your thoughts that kept me awake," continued
my companion.  "I felt convinced that you would have glorious dreams,
which would break like glass before reason.  I knew that you would
finally decide to abandon any active policy at present, meaning to
return to it in the near future.  Now I know something of these things;
and the anxiety for your future kept me from slumberland."

"How on earth did you know what I was thinking, are you capable of
thought reading, even when the thinker is absent?"

He laughed.

"I wish I were.  No, it is only the result of logic, first, and the
knowledge I have of you, secondly. When you put a young man like
yourself before the picture displaying the ruin of his country, it is
natural for him to feel obsessed by the desire to reconstruct the
crumbled edifice.  I fancy I could also guess the chief obstacle in your
various lines of argument."

"I should not be surprised," I said, laughing.

"Was it not the choice of a ruler?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't wonder that you were brought to a halt, it has puzzled
me, too, a great deal; but we can discuss that on our journey.  You have
quite decided to go over the mountains?"

"Oh yes, if you are agreeable; it will be much more interesting and
exciting."

"Very well, but we shall want a guide."

"The innkeeper will know of one, I'm sure."

"I'll ask him."

Our sleek host, looking more evil by daylight than I had anticipated,
knew just the man for us, the perfect guide: a mountaineer, strong,
honest, and intelligent, he would send for him at once.

"I wonder," I said, "whether our host is an authority on honesty."

Mr. Neville laughed.

"The same thought struck me; but, as we are armed, I don't think there
is anything to fear."

"Well, he won't be here for some time yet; and I want to ask your
opinion on a serious matter."

"Fire ahead, Victor."

I then proceeded to lay bare my plan with regard to Quarovitch; Mr.
Neville listened in silence.

"It is rather an extraordinary proposal," he said.

I remember that we were both silent for a considerable time after that
and then he said suddenly:

"I agree with you about Quarovitch; he is, I should say, a most
honourable man, but would he accept the trust?  You would have to tell
him that you were a Rudarlian, even then it remains to be seen whether
he will consent to receive, from a civilian, the money that should come
from his government.  I cannot say, although personally, in his place I
should."

"Then," I cried joyfully, "you think I can do it, you advise it?"

"I leave it to you, partner," said Mr. Neville, smiling.

"Oh, bother bridge, I feel that I shall never play again with any
pleasure; can't you ever declare?"

"Not on this hand.  I should say, however, that you might make it no
trumps; you have the three aces--health, wealth, and enthusiasm."

"But the kings are against us, with perhaps the fourth ace."

"And that is?" asked my companion.

"Luck," said I, "but I'll risk it."

"How much do you propose offering him?"

"Five thousand; that should last until I come again."

"Always look ahead," said Mr. Neville, but he would say nothing more
about the sum I had named.

A few moments after this, the host returned; with him was a man, a
splendid looking fellow, with the free bearing and controlled muscles of
a mountaineer.

I spoke to him in Rudarlian, telling him that we wished for a guide over
the mountains; did he know of a way other than the main road?  Yes, he
did.

Was it possible to work down by that route into the plains?  Yes, it
was.  Would he be content with so much?  Yes, he would.  What would be
necessary for the trip?  He informed us that we must take food and
drink; if we had luggage, a pony to carry it.  That was all as far as he
could suggest.

"What do you think, Mr. Neville?" I asked in English.

"H'm.  He looks like a brigand, but then they mostly do to English eyes;
I think I should engage him."

I did.  He would, he assured us, see about a pony, and all the necessary
things we needed, if we cared; also we must provide ourselves with rugs,
for the night.

"Indeed," said I, "why did you not mention that before?"

"I did not know that your Excellencies proposed starting at midday."

This had only been mentioned just before, so that the answer seemed
good; but I could not help feeling a slight anxiety, as the host was so
extremely unprepossessing.  I almost wished that we had asked
Quarovitch.

I gave Piotr, as the man was called, the necessary instructions, bidding
him wait for us with his purchases at the inn; then we walked along to
the low, whitewashed building, used as the barracks.

From Melanov, little could be seen of Rudarlia, though the place was
high up, as the main road twisted round the side of an eminence,
blocking the view.  There was nothing therefore to look at, as the one
street was empty save for a stray dog or so.

My thoughts were in a turmoil, as we strolled along.  How was I to
broach the subject to the Colonel?  Perhaps he would give me an opening.

He was seated at a table by the only window in the room; as we entered,
a subaltern saluted and passed out.

"Ah, messieurs, I am glad indeed to see you," said the Colonel, rising
from his chair, and warmly shaking our hands.  "I hope my outburst last
evening did not alarm you, you must forgive an old man, who finds it
difficult to keep his temper sometimes."

"You did not alarm us at all, it was most justifiable."

"In fact," chimed in Mr. Neville, "so much so that it induced my friend
here to come to you this morning, to ask for a half-hour or so of your
time."

"Delighted, delighted; but I do not see the connection between the two."

"Then," said I, feeling desperately uneasy, "I must explain, if you will
give me permission."

"Please take a chair, and make yourselves as comfortable as these
quarters permit."

He pulled his own chair round as we seated ourselves, and held out a box
of cigarettes to us.

"I cannot offer you cigars like the ones I smoked last night," he said
apologetically.

"Now," he continued when we had lighted them, "an hour, or two hours, as
you will."

"I don't think it will take long, at least I hope not.  You will
remember saying last night that the present government in Rudarlia left
the army in an almost necessitous state, almost without clothing and
food?"

"That is so," said Quarovitch, with a perplexed look.

"It struck me," I said, after a moment's hesitation, "that a man like
yourself, with a certain sum of money, might do a great deal to
alleviate such conditions among the men under your command."

"So he might, but I thought I made it sufficiently plain that I was
without private means."

"You did; therefore, I have come to offer them to you, or rather to ask
you to accept for your troops a sum of money from me."

He looked from me to Mr. Neville, with an inquiring lift of his
eyebrows.

"No," I said, smiling, "I am not mad, but I am intensely interested in
everything Rudarlian; and, if you could see your way to be banker for
your troops, you would place me enormously in your debt."

"It is impossible, of course," he said quietly. "Rudarlia is in a bad
way, I admit, but her army cannot be paid by an Englishman or any other
foreigner.  I thank you for your offer, but it is impossible."

He rose from his seat as though to terminate our conversation.  He was
angered, hurt too, by what he no doubt looked upon as an unwarrantable
intrusion on my part; I felt that he looked upon me as one who had taken
advantage of his outburst of the previous evening.

"One moment, Colonel, before you decide," I said.  "You feel, no doubt,
that my offer is almost, if not quite an impertinence; believe me, I
anticipated that view, I have therefore to confess to misinforming you.
I am not an Englishman; although brought up there, I, like yourself, am
a Rudarlian.  This is my first visit to my country since my babyhood;
now you see why your words yesterday had so much effect upon me."

He looked at me a trifle suspiciously.

"Stevens is not a Rudarlian name," he said.

"No," broke in Mr. Neville, "but Stefan is, I believe."

"So! you have astonished me, monsieur.  You were taken away as a baby,
you say?"

"I think so, I am not quite sure."

"If you will pardon my interrupting, Colonel," said my companion, "but
Monsieur Stefan knows little of his birth or childhood.  There are
reasons, grave reasons, why he should remain in ignorance until his
majority in a few months' time.  I, however, give you my word that he is
a Rudarlian by birth."

"I did not doubt it, monsieur.  I was staggered for the moment at the
idea of anyone making such a proposal; even now, that I know him to be
my countryman, I do not see my way to accept his offer."

"May I ask why?" I said despondently.  "I had hoped so much to do
something for our army."

"Think, Monsieur Stefan, how could it be explained that I, a penniless
man, had accepted money to pay my troops?  They would say immediately
that my nest was feathered too, and what reason do you suppose would be
accredited to the gift?  Why, to buy their loyalty."

"Who for?" I asked quickly.

Colonel von Quarovitch looked puzzled.

"H'm!  That is rather difficult to answer; they would say, most likely,
that you were the emissary of Russia, Austria, or Bornia; most probably
the latter, since they are our neighbours."

His argument was certainly sound; and I searched my brains for a
solution.

"Don't you ever speculate, Colonel?" I asked.

"Eh?"

"I thought you had invested a certain sum, a little while ago, in some
rubber company."

"Eh?" he said again.

Mr. Neville chuckled.

I continued:

"So at least I understood; five hundred pounds, I think it was, they
rose ten points or so, giving you the handsome profit of five thousand
pounds."

He still looked at me inquiringly; but suddenly he smiled grimly, and
stared for a few minutes out of the window.  Then, slowly, he drew a
piece of paper and a pen towards him, and looked up.

"What did you say the name of the rubber company was, monsieur?"

I had won.  In a boyish impulse I seized his hand and shook it
violently.

"Hurrah!  I was so afraid that you would continue in your refusal."

He laughed outright.

"I have never known anyone so anxious to part with money before, and,
monsieur, I was desperately anxious that you should think of a way out;
it means so much to my men.  As it is, I shall become almost too
popular, thanks to you."

For the next hour we discussed ways and means. I was to write home, and
inform my stepfather of what I had done; and he was to send a letter
with a draft to Quarovitch, purporting to come from a banker.  The
spending of the money, I would have nothing to say about, and told him
so.

"You know what the men require, I don't, I leave it therefore entirely
to you.  Do as you think best; and mind you keep up your investments,
for when I come again, in a little while, God willing, you must have had
another lucky stroke of business."

"I will keep an account of every penny, to await your return."

"Which will be waste of labour, Colonel, for I shall put it in the fire
unread; you have quite enough to do, to spend the money, without
clerking."

His stern old face twitched, and he said huskily:

"God bless you, until your return, Monsieur Stefan."

Our interview had lasted longer than we had expected; and we had to
hurry, to get back to the inn at the time appointed.

We found our guide to be, waiting, with a small shaggy horse, laden with
our properties; he saluted as we hurried up.

"I have everything your Excellencies require," he said.

He would have proceeded to tell us how clever he had been in his
bargaining, but we cut him short; and I went into the inn to settle our
account.  I sent a boy to find the host and then entered the dining-room
to wait for him.  I walked to the window and looked out, deep in
thought.

"A deliberate cut," said a voice behind me.

I swung round.

"Carruthers?  Well, I'm damned!"

"Judging by this inn, I should say you were; but how goes it, old chap?"

"How in the world did you get here?"

"Boat, train, and horse; but I'm waiting for you to say that you are
pleased to see me."

"Pleased?  You bet I am; why, there is nothing could have pleased me
more; but how did you know where to find us?"

"Your mother gave me your probable route, so I chanced it.  I have three
months' leave, and I'm going to enjoy my little self."

"Good!  Now, look here, we are just going to start on a tramp to the
capital: are you game to come now, or shall we postpone it?"

"I'll come right away.  I've only a bag, and I'll leave that here to be
forwarded."

"It can go on our transport animal--they call it a horse--fetch it while
I settle up; Mr. Neville is outside."

It was the final touch to my happiness to have Carruthers with us; Mr.
Neville, too, was delighted. There was such a tremendous lot to tell
each other: all the multitude of happenings of the last two years.

The path along which we were travelling was only a bridle track at most
and led us by a zigzag route up the mountain.  We had too much to do, in
seeing that we put our feet on firm ground, to talk, and as there was
little beside rock to look at we did not make any great delay.  It was
hard work, though; how the horse managed some parts beats me altogether.
Our guide Piotr kept ahead at a steady pace.  Just as it was getting
dusk, he stopped.

"This will be a good place to halt, Excellency."

"Very good."

I walked a little farther and turned a corner, Rudarlia lay in front of
me.  I was glad that my companions had stayed behind, for my heart was
beating ridiculously, and there was a mist in front of my eyes.  I stood
there alone, and drank in the beauty of the vast panorama stretched
before me, the failing light made for mystery, and full of exultation I
stretched out my arms as though to embrace it all, murmuring to myself:

"My country! my country!"




                              *CHAPTER IV*


When I returned to the others, I found a wood fire crackling merrily,
and preparations being made for a meal.

I am afraid that I did not contribute much to the conversation for some
time--I was thinking; but after we had finished eating, and were sitting
smoking with the comfortable feeling one has when healthily tired, I did
my share.

Carruthers gave me a message from my people: on no consideration was I
to try and find Mr. Smith, as any inquiries might be serious for him.
Of course he had not been given any reasons for this; but I could see he
was curious, and I could not, and Mr. Neville would not, enlighten him.

It was a perfect night, and there was no sound, save the rippling of a
brook, to mar the stillness, that is, when we were not talking.  Little
by little I saw Mr. Neville and Carruthers growing more and more drowsy,
and presently, with contented grunts, they rolled over and fell asleep.
Piotr had already taken himself away from the fire and now lay, a dark
mass, wrapped in his blanket.

We had asked many questions of him, but I do not remember receiving any
enlightening answers; he always appeared to be guarding his tongue, why,
I did not understand.

There was one thing which Carruthers had told me that gave me
considerable uneasiness; it was that my stepfather did not seem as well
as his wont. This upset me, for I had never known him anything but
splendidly well.  I seemed to feel him near me in the night; perhaps at
that moment he was talking of us, who knows?  The darkness made me
strangely fanciful, but presently I too was asleep.

The next morning I woke very early, and found that we had an addition to
our party, a man, hump-backed, and rather evil looking.

Piotr explained that he had overtaken us at about midnight, and, as he
was tired, had asked permission to use our fire.

I spoke a few words to the fellow, telling him that he could have some
food if he liked, and then woke the others.

Our ablutions were performed in a small stream that gurgled and
spluttered a few yards away; then, having had our breakfast, we once
more started.

This time our order was reversed, the two men and the horse being
behind; while we three tramped cheerfully on, glorying in the fresh
morning air which had the effect of champagne upon our spirits.

Two or three miles from our halting place of the night, we came to a
piece of road only some seven or eight feet wide.

On one side the ground sloped steeply up, covered with great masses of
rock and stones; on the other was a sheer drop of some hundreds of feet
into a thickly wooded valley.

Carruthers suddenly took it into his head that he was a mountain goat,
and went springing madly down the path, disappearing in a few moments
round a curve.

Mr. Neville had just made some laughing remark about his being almost
inclined to follow, when without any reason apparently, a stone came
rushing down from above us.

We both sprang forward instinctively, and heard the rock strike the
path, then an appalling yell from behind us; we swung round.  Piotr had
disappeared.  The hunchback was cringing away from the abyss, and could
hardly summon sufficient strength to point with a trembling hand.  It
was enough, however, and we understood that our guide had gone over the
edge; the suddenness of the accident made it the more appalling.

We lay flat on our stomachs and peered over; then I scrambled to my
feet.

"He's stuck there, some way down.  Here you, run after the gentleman and
get him back as quickly as possible; there is just a chance that we can
save your friend.  Quick, man, quick!"

He darted off; and Mr. Neville ran to undo the rope which hung from the
pack-saddle of the horse.

"Will it be long enough?" I said.

"I hope so, I judge him to be thirty to thirty-five feet down."

I took the free end of the rope, and made a slip noose.  The one idea in
my head was that somehow I must save this man.  He was as far as I could
see jammed in an angle of rock, and held in position by the roots of a
small tree, which had found enough earth on the ledge to give it a
stunted existence.

I kept repeating to myself: "If only the tree holds, if only the tree
holds."  When the rope had been arranged satisfactorily I placed a
folded rug on the edge of the precipice, to prevent the rock cutting,
then turned to see if Carruthers was in sight.

Mr. Neville was standing over me, with a terribly drawn look on his
face.

"Victor, you can't go," he muttered.

I said nothing, only smiled; and Carruthers turned the corner at a run,
followed closely by the hunch-back.

"Buck up, old man," he cried, throwing off his coat, "and I'll get him
up in a jiffy."

"No, I'm going."

They looked at me, Mr. Neville very white, and Carruthers almost
angrily.

"Don't talk rot, Splosh, of course I shall go."

"You will do nothing of the kind; he is my servant, my countryman, and
I'm going.  Quick, don't waste time talking, lay on to the rope, you and
Mr. Neville, while you," I said to the hunchback, "be ready to pull him
over the edge."

I slipped my right foot into the noose.

"Now hold on, I'm going, I'll yell when you are to pull him up; let me
down slowly."

I did not look at them again, until I had lowered myself over the edge,
and then it was but a fleeting glance, just long enough to smile to
them, and notice their set mouths.

They lowered away slowly, almost too slowly for me, as it was a most
unpleasant rock to look at, and I did not care to glance down more than
was absolutely necessary.  It was also an unpleasant feeling to swing in
the air, with just a thin rope between you and eternity; however, little
by little I went down, keeping myself away from the cliff with my left
hand, and untied foot.

When I judged that the ledge must be near, I looked down.  I was about
six feet from it; two minutes, and I was level.  I yelled, and at once
my descent was arrested.

The ledge was infernally narrow, and at first I did not see how to
manage.  By cautiously edging along, however, I was enabled to stand
astride of Piotr's body, although one foot had perforce to rest upon the
tree, which caused creaking sounds of a most discomforting nature.  I
removed my foot from the noose.

Piotr's legs hung down, dangling over space, I could see that one was
broken; he was moaning faintly, and trying to move his arm.  It was an
extremely difficult business, getting the rope underneath him, but with
patience and a great deal of care it was done; and I drew it tight under
his arm-pits.  It seemed then that nothing remained but to give them the
signal to hoist; but just as I was going to yell the thought flashed
across me that, if he struggled and threw up his arms, the rope might
slip, then it would be all up for both of us, for it was certain that,
in falling, he would drag or knock me off the perch as well.

This required thought, as Mr. Neville so often reminded me; and I
wondered what could be done to fasten his arms down.

Beneath his embroidered waistcoat he was wearing the scarf or sash of
the mountaineer.  Down again I bent, and started to get it loose; an
ugly looking knife was still tucked into it, this, as I pulled, fell
out, and went glistening down into the trees beneath.  I remember
thinking it was lucky there was nobody there for it to fall on, and I
believe I grinned; but an extra crack from the tree made me serious
again.

By dint of pulling, I got the sash unwound; and with it fastened his
arms as I desired, above the elbow, securely to his sides.  He was safe
now, but how was I to keep clear of his body as he rose?  I looked up,
Carruther's face was peering down at me.

"Are you all right, Splosh?"

"Yes, I'm all right.  Wait half a minute, and then you can begin to
haul."

I heard what seemed like a number of voices talking, but avoided looking
up again; instead, I did the only thing which seemed to me possible; I
yelled, and felt the rope tighten, saw Piotr gradually assume a sitting
posture.  Then, while I still had the rope to assist me, I slipped over,
and hung by my hands to the edge.  It was only for a little time, for as
soon as I saw our guide's body swing clear I pulled myself up again; it
was lucky I had gone in for gymnastics.  I sat on the ledge sideways; it
was the only way to sit, and beastly uncomfortable. By using the
greatest caution, I was enabled to pull a small flask, which I always
carried, from my pocket; a drink from this did me good as I had been
feeling rather dizzy.

"Hullo! hullo!  Splosh!"

I looked up again, there was a row of heads where only Carruthers' had
been before.

"Hullo!" I called back.  "Is the rope ready?"

"It is coming down now, old chap; be careful."

The heads were still there, swarthy, wild looking faces peered down at
me.  I grinned, and shouted "Good day" in Rudarlian, and they laughed as
they answered me.  Cheerful chaps, but where the devil had they come
from?

The ascent was infinitely nicer than the descent, the face of the cliff
appeared almost rosy and kind. I felt as brave as possible now, whereas
before I had had my heart in my boots.  Strong hands seized me on the
edge; and in a moment I was up on the pathway again, with my companions
each shaking a hand, as though we had been parted for years.

I certainly was astonished to see the men who surrounded us; the best
that could be said of them was that they were all smiling, but each man
was a walking arsenal.  They were not the sort of men I should have
chosen as companions for a pleasant Sunday afternoon.

"Friends of yours?" I said to Mr. Neville, and Carruthers roared.

"Not yet, but certainly I trust they will be; they came from goodness
knows where.  By appearances they are brigands--not that I wish to judge
them harshly."

"Yes, by appearances they are, but how is Piotr?"

"I will look at him, if you will tell these fellows to get out of the
way."

I told the men that we would attend to Piotr, but that they must give us
room, and fetch wood for a litter.  They obeyed like lambs.  Three went
to seek young trees for the purpose I had named, the others stood round
in silence, save one, who came forward and offered his services; he was,
I understood, the bone-setter of the gang.  Mr. Neville accepted his
offer and set to work.  After an examination lasting some little time,
he said:

"It is marvellous, he has only broken a leg, and has a slight
concussion; bruised as well, of course, but not another bone broken."

"What luck!  Can you set his leg between you?"

"I hope so, and before he regains his senses."

By the time the men had returned with the trees, it was done: the broken
limb had been set, and carefully bandaged in splints.  A litter was
formed with the trees and sashes of some of the men and rugs thrown over
that.  Upon this clever piece of work the injured man was placed
carefully, and a little brandy forced down his throat.

Then evidently a difficulty arose.  The fellows began to converse among
themselves with many glances at us, shrugging of shoulders, and
expressive gestures of the hands.

There was one who was apparently the leader, and upon his face was an
expression of the utmost perplexity.  He kept staring first at the
litter then at me, then at my companions and then at the litter. It
dawned upon me that their camp might be near, but that they were anxious
to avoid showing us the way; on the other hand, they could not capture
us as they had evidently intended, since we had befriended their chief.
I appreciated their dilemma and laughed, beckoned to the fellow, and
together we walked a few paces away from the others.

"You are troubled," I said.  "Now which is it to be, are you going to
take us with you as enemies, or shall we part in a friendly way?  For,
of course, my friends and I fully realise that the chief of a party such
as yours does not take the position of guide, unless he has some good
reason for it."

He saw that I was smiling, so he too grinned.

"Excellency, for your age you are as clear-sighted as an eagle."

"I assure you, my friend, I felt like one a few minutes ago; but tell
me, was I right in my surmise about your state of mind?"

"Your Excellency was right.  We could never, however, part as enemies;
and if we let you go before our chief regains his senses----" he
shrugged his shoulders in a most expressive way.

"H'm! but we cannot remain here, can we? And you evidently would not
care to take us with you as friends; of course, to these gentlemen and
myself, the word friend means that we should never betray anything we
might happen to learn.  I might suggest, too, that men blindfolded would
see nothing if led to some place carefully."

A gleam of satisfaction lit up his face.

"And would your Excellencies submit to that? It would be only for a few
minutes."

"Oh yes, and I can answer for my friends."

I was desirous of following up this little adventure, for these men were
no doubt almost driven to brigandage; and, if their demands could be
satisfied, they might become useful allies and good citizens.  I was
already planning for the future.

We walked back to the others, and I informed them of what had been
arranged.  Carruthers treated it as a huge joke.  He knew but a few
words of Rudarlian, and proceeded to use them vigorously as we followed
the litter.

We continued our course down the path, which after a little swerved into
less close proximity to the valley below.  Although still high up in the
mountain, we were beginning to be able to distinguish the natural
features of the panoramic landscape more clearly.

What struck us most was the absence of human habitations, for the valley
looked as though it would be fertile, being well watered.

I questioned the man whom I was walking beside.

"Ah, your Excellency, it is strange to you, but has a different
significance to us; we to whom that land yielded a livelihood have been
driven to other ways of making one.  Our harvests--good or bad, as the
good God decided--were taken from us in payment of taxes, which were so
great that even the whole year's profit would not pay them.  So--what
would you?  I, myself, worked ten years on the land my father and
grandfather had owned. But every year the burden grew greater; and, as
on the last occasion I could not pay the collector, he drove off my
animals, such as they were, and would have taken me to prison only I
stuck my knife into him and fled."

He told me this quite calmly.  He had most probably killed the
collector, but it evidently struck him as a justifiable deed, and in my
heart of hearts I could not altogether blame him.  It gave me an inkling
of what the treatment of peasants was like, under the rule of this man
who starved his soldiers and squandered their pay on courtesans.

A little farther on, we were informed that the time had come for them to
blindfold us; and there being no opposition they proceeded to do so.
With our eyes covered we were led forward again for a while, and then
the climb began.  Our hands were placed in niches, or our feet guided to
some rock or projection, as, without mishap or inconvenience, we
clambered up and up, until once more our feet were on a pathway.
Another longish walk, a sharp turn, and then we were halted, and the
bandages which prevented our seeing taken away.

I stood absolutely amazed, blinking my eyes to find out whether I was
really awake or dreaming, for we were in a place that no one could ever
have dreamed existed.  It was like an enormous cup scooped out of the
mountain, and its sides must have been a couple of hundred feet high.
The diameter of the cup seemed over a mile; a more perfect hiding-place
it would have been impossible to conceive.  There was one part covered
with fine trees, another splendid pasture, upon which were numerous
cattle and sheep, while a small stream wandered across the whole length
of the place, providing a good water supply.  On our right stood some
fifteen wooden houses, substantially built, with patches of vegetable
gardens in front of each.

This much I took in with my first bewildered glance.

"Well, I'm damned!" said Carruthers.

"So am I!" said I.

"In fact we all are!" said Mr. Neville sagely.

The litter had by now been carried down through the narrow fissure
through which we had entered, and a host of people came running from the
houses and fields; people of all ages and both sexes.  They surrounded
us with looks far from amiable, until the nominal leader explained our
presence to their satisfaction, and incidentally to ours.  I had a busy
time, for I believe they would all have embraced me.  One did, but as
she turned out to be the betrothed wife of Piotr, she was forgiven; she
was a dashed fine looking girl too, so very attractive that Carruthers
grumbled, and murmured that he had wanted to save Piotr himself.

For some days they feasted and made much of us; nor was it dull, for
Carruthers, as usual, had to try to teach the male portion of the
community how to play games.  This was a source of continual delight to
him; and, as Mr. Neville was chiefly engaged in looking after Piotr, I
amused myself by enticing all and sundry into conversation.  I say
"amused," but it really was not amusement to listen to some of the tales
of brutality of the tax gatherers with which these people had put up,
before breaking away to the free life they then led.

Upon the day before the one upon which we had decided to leave,
Carruthers got up what he was pleased to call "Athletic Sports."  It was
a great success, and some very fine performances took place; it was
astonishing, too, how these men took to the idea, and allowed themselves
to be bullied by Carruthers and myself, who acted as "Officials."  The
event which was afterwards voted the greatest success was the obstacle
race for women; in this Carruthers had surpassed himself in the
ingenuity of the obstacles.  Every one, both performers and onlookers,
was simply helpless with laughter before the end of the race, which was
won by a fine old woman of over sixty.

Mr. Neville was attending Piotr, who sat propped up at one of the
windows.

Piotr's reception of me was rather funny.  He was so deadly ashamed of
his motive in coming to us as guide, especially so, when I chaffed him
about the path he had expected us to follow, by air. However, I
understood that in him I had a friend, who would sacrifice his life for
me should occasion arise.

We had numerous conversations about Rudarlia, and I found that he was a
man of ideals, as well as being professionally a brigand; what is more,
I believed him when he told me that he had only taken to it when there
was no other way open.

Mr. Neville had asked him whether he would give up his present career,
if the laws were readjusted.

"Give us fair taxation, and justice, and we will serve God and the King
until the end," had been his response.

"Ivan?" I asked.

"I said a 'King,'" was the stern reply.  "One who puts his country
before such things as his mistresses; Ivan is no king, he is a vile,
grasping tyrant."

"Are there many who think as you do?"

"I never knew or heard of a man who wouldn't rejoice at news of his
death."

Decidedly the King was not beloved.

We started early the next morning, and were almost sorry to go.  We had
learned to like these simple-hearted, fierce people; and they seemed to
reciprocate the feeling.

Piotr broke a coin in two, and presented me with one-half.

"If you are in Rudarlia, and need me, send me that piece; if I am alive
I will come to you."

I put it carefully away, thanking him for the promise.  As a parting
gift, I made him accept my revolver.  His eyes glistened at the sight of
it; but he swore that it should only be used in self-defence, and I knew
that he would keep his word.

Our eyes were left unbandaged as we made our way out of the place: we
had given our word not to divulge the secret.

The second in command acted as our guide, and before long we were out of
the mountains, and proceeding along the small, winding paths by which we
made our way to the main road from Melanov to Karena.  Once we were upon
that we made better progress; and soon came to a small village called
Viritz, where we halted, for it was at this place that our guide was to
turn back.

We made many purchases there, however, and fairly loaded up the horse;
the things we bought were to be divided among the men and women we had
just left.  With many assurances of goodwill on both sides we parted,
our guide setting his face towards the mountains while we turned into
the inn for a meal.

It was only after a good deal of trouble that we secured a cart to take
us and our small belongings towards Karena; but once the difficulty was
overcome we started gaily forward again.  As usual, we entered into a
discussion of military affairs, and it struck us all that, from Melanov,
there would be no great obstacle in forcing a way through to the
capital, unless the fortifications of that city were very strong.  That,
of course, we did not know; nor did the driver of our cart, a surly
brute, who had neither civility nor good looks to recommend him.

We dismissed the cart at Yuhban, a somewhat larger village, where we had
determined to spend the night, under the vain illusion that we should
sleep.

Alas, from the moment that we entered that wretched building we
suffered!  And so it was until we left in the early morning, after
paying a bill which would not have disgraced the _Ritz_ in London.

I made a mental note to the effect that when I returned to Rudarlia as a
saviour, in which role I had cast myself, the first, or one of the first
improvements I should inaugurate, would be the burning down of all such
inns, from one end of the country to the other.  I believe that my
companions would have wanted to burn the innkeepers as well.

From this village of fleas and worse, we escaped by a small motor-bus
which connected it with Karena, and allowed the driver to recommend the
_Carlton_ as the best, and most up-to-date of the Karenian hotels.  We
were agreeably surprised to find that he had not misled us; it was quite
a credit to Rudarlia, with every convenience and comfort that could be
desired, as well as excellent cooking. I will confess that I do enjoy a
good dinner.

We engaged a suite on the first floor; and from that time were looked
upon with favour by the staff, in spite of our scanty baggage.

We spent two or three days in going round, sightseeing; but we soon
settled down to study the conditions under which the people lived.
Daily we took long walks or drives into the country, and nightly we sat
in cafes, entering into conversation with anyone and every one, always,
however, finding the same fierce resentment against the King and his
Court.  There was a current of unrest among them all, dull mutterings
which betokened an approaching storm; and it seemed to me that only a
leader was needed to raise the whole country, but always that cursed
_cul-de-sac_: who to put in Ivan's place?  We had a glimpse of him one
day, as we were returning to our hotel: a fat, bibulous-looking man,
with great coarse lips, and crafty eyes.

Not a voice was raised as he drove through the great gates of his
palace, although there were many people present.  His escort, who were
the only smart soldiers we had seen, looked as though disgusted with
their work of guarding him.  Soon afterwards came another carriage in
which a woman was sitting, both young and beautiful.

I asked a gentleman who was near me who she was.

"I do not know, I have never seen that one before; if she's new, it will
mean fresh taxation, I suppose."

"Why?  I am afraid I don't quite understand; who is she?"

"Some French girl most probably; whenever a new one appears, the taxes
go up; some one must pay for the jewels for the King's mistress."

"Good God! can it really be so?" I asked, feigning surprise, for I was
desirous of obtaining more information.

"The good God has deserted Rudarlia, monsieur, only the devil reigns
here now.  But you are a stranger evidently, or you would not be
surprised. We Rudarlians have experienced it before, but----" he looked
at me quickly for a moment, lifted his hat and passed on.

"Is your blood on the boil?" asked Mr. Neville, smiling.

I did not answer, it was coming home to me so strongly that something
must be done; there would be bloodshed, insurrection, and red revolution
before long, if the present state of things continued. From the ashes,
what would arise?

No state can stand an upheaval such as I pictured, without for many
years feeling the effect of it, more especially a race like the
Rudarlians, who are conservative by nature.

What I could not understand was, how the nobles allowed it.  Surely
there must be among them fine, strong men, capable of grasping the reins
and stopping the headlong rush to destruction; and then crept in the
word, jealousy.

Jealousy, that accursed thing, which has wrecked so many ideas, and
brought misery to so many individuals.  That would account for it.
Hating the present monarch, hating equally the heir, they would none of
them combine to alter matters, for fear that one of them should be
exalted over the others.

Since then I have discovered that I misjudged them.




                              *CHAPTER V*


We had been in Karena for two weeks, and what puzzled me most was that
we had neither seen nor heard of Mr. Smith, for I felt sure my people
would have let him know that we were in the city.  It seemed so strange
that one of my oldest friends should take no notice.  I knew of course
that "Smith" was an assumed name, but I had no idea of his real one, so
even had I wished to ignore my parents' wishes, and make inquiries, I
should have been at a loss how to do so.

It was this kind of thing which galled me, more especially now, when I
wished to include him in my dreams, when working out schemes for
Rudarlia's welfare.  I never mentioned him to Mr. Neville, as I thought
it would be placing him in an awkward position, he who knew.

If I had but known it, circumstances, even then, were drawing us
together; the wheels of chance were turning slowly, and we were destined
to meet in a manner which opened my eyes to the extraordinary laws of
coincidence.

Carruthers and I had been out one evening on one of our nocturnal
wanderings in search of information, and were returning to our hotel,
when my companion suggested a stroll to the top of the road overlooking
Yuhban.

I acquiesced, as this suggestion suited me perfectly. I was glad of an
excuse to breathe a little fresh air, after the hot and rather smelly
cafe, in which we had spent the best part of the evening.

The route by which we were going would only take us about half a mile
out of our way.  We did not speak much.  Carruthers, for him, was
taciturn, and I, as usual, was trying to find a suitable successor to
King Ivan.

It was a perfect night with a fine moon, so, having reached the place we
wanted, we stood for a few moments looking over the valley below.  It
was a night for an artist or a poet, and little did we think, as we
stood there in peaceful silence, that a few minutes would bring horrid
strife.

A motor was approaching from Yuhban.  We could see her headlights as she
twisted and turned with the winding road; a big silent car, and a
magnificent hill-climber too, for she came up the steep bit at the top
without changing gear.  When only about ten yards from where we were
standing, she stopped suddenly.  We saw the chauffeur jump out, while at
the same time three men ran from the shadow of a wall, where they had
been hidden; they came up behind the car.  Just as the chauffeur had
succeeded in opening one door, a man descended on the other side of the
car.

He gave one quick glance round, and started running at top speed towards
us; and I saw the moonlight flash on a weapon he carried in his hand.
Hard after him came the three men and the chauffeur.

"Come on, Splosh!" cried Carruthers.

We sprang forward.  I saw him send one man flying and jump at another,
but at that moment the pursued man stumbled, and his weapon flew out of
his hand, right at my feet.

I stooped and picked it up; it was a sword-stick. The next moment, I
found myself parrying fierce and rapid sword-thrusts, almost without
knowledge. My astonishment gradually left me and I grew cool; it was
well I did, for I needed all my wits about me, my opponent being a
consummate swordsman. At first it was as much as I could do to keep
clear of his point; but, as I grew more collected, the better I fenced.
I had no idea what was happening to the others, but I had seen one
knocked out by Carruthers, and hoped that he and the pursued could
account for the other two.  I recollected that my chum had his revolver
with him, and called out to remind him of the fact; he answered
something, and then a shot rang out just behind me. It startled me for
the moment, in spite of my being half-prepared for it, and my adversary
managed to touch my arm with his point, a mere prick.  And then I lost
all knowledge except of the man I was fighting; only once did I remember
that there were others by me, and that was when Carruthers said:

"You, Mr----?"

After that there was silence again, only broken by the sound of our feet
and the grating of our sword-blades, as my opponent and I sprang
backwards and forwards.

I had tried various attacks, and also foiled them; now I would try a
special favourite of my stepfather's.  It was risky, I knew, as it left
rather an opening for a thrust through the arm; but I had to do
something, as this prolonged bout was beginning to make itself felt.

Thank God, it had succeeded, and I heaved a sigh of relief, as my blade
passed through my adversary's shoulder.  He gave a gasp and fell.

I must say that the complete and sudden success of my attack staggered
me for a moment, so much so that I remained staring at the prostrate
man; then I turned--and stood with my mouth open, for there was Mr.
Smith with both arms outstretched.

"You--was it you then?"

"Yes, I, Victor, alive, thanks to you two; but come quickly, I will
explain as soon as we are out of this.  We will send help for these
murderers, we can do nothing ourselves."

"But I should like to do something for him," I said, pointing to my
opponent's body.

"Leave it to me, my boy, I will see that he is taken care of.  Quick!
quick! or we shall be in trouble."

Together we ran to the car, passing three bodies, one shot, one stunned,
and one bound.

"Jump in, I will drive," said Mr. Smith.

He did drive, and the pace we went would have scared anyone; but he had
wonderful command over the car, and we had no accident.  Somewhere on
the other side of the town he pulled up, outside a fine mansion standing
in a small park.  As we stopped, the door of the house opened, and a man
hastened down the steps.

"Thank God, Count!  We were afraid something had happened to you."

"So it did, Baron."

"Where's Peter?"

"In heaven, I hope; in hell, I am afraid."

"As bad as that, was it?"

"Worse: Goltz was in it."

"Goltz!"  He gave a little whistle.  "Come in at once; but who are
these?"  He indicated us with a wave of his hand.

"Ah," said Mr. Smith, "who are they?  Let me present to you Messieurs
Stevens and Carruthers; Baron von Sluben.  Now let us go in for one
minute.  By the way, Baron, will you 'phone to Ducrot, to look after
some bodies near his house?  He will be pleased to find Goltz among
them--oh no, not dead.  Tell him to treat them with the greatest
kindness and attention, as a mark of his affection to the man they did
not kill."

We moved into the house, Baron Sluben leading the way.  He threw open a
door, and we entered a very large room, which was packed with men and a
few ladies, all in evening dress.

I touched Mr. Smith's arm.

"We shall be awfully out of it, in these clothes," I said.

"I don't think you need worry, Victor, you will always be conspicuous,
whether you like it or not."

He knew my weakness.

Most of the occupants looked up as we entered, and a general hum of
welcome arose.

"May I present to you Monsieur Stevens, who has just bested Goltz in the
prettiest way imaginable; and Monsieur Carruthers, who accounted for two
of our enemies," said Mr. Smith.

The hum of welcome changed to a cry of astonishment.

"Goltz? is he dead? how did it happen?"  And a score of other questions
were hurled at him.

"My friends," he said, "listen.  This evening I was returning from you
know where; I had just reached Monsieur Ducrot's house, when my
chauffeur stopped the car and came to the door.

"'Hullo,' I said, 'what is wrong, what do you want?'

"'You!' he replied.

"I had my sword-stick in the car with me, and opening the other door I
jumped out.  There were three more assailants; so, not wishing to lose
certain papers which I carried, I ran away with all four of them
following.  I should certainly have been killed, if these two gentlemen
had not helped me; I slipped, dropping my sword, Monsieur Stevens picked
it up.  Monsieur Carruthers stunned one man and engaged with another.
When I regained my wits and my feet, he was kneeling on the fellow, and
Peter, my trusted chauffeur, was trying to get at him with a knife.  At
that moment, Monsieur Stevens yelled out to his friend to remember his
revolver. It reminded me that I also carried one.  Peter died. Then we
bound the other fellow, and turned to the fencers; to my horror, I saw
that it was Goltz who was opposing my friend in need, but a moment later
I saw who that friend was, recognising him as some one I had known since
his birth, and had myself assisted to teach the use of a sword.

"I was so confident of his skill, that I induced Monsieur Carruthers not
to interfere, and we stood by and watched.  In a few moments, Goltz was
on the ground, with a very pretty hole in him.  Not dead, oh dear no,
but it will be some time before he is upon his feet.  That is the story.
Now look at Monsieur Stevens well; remember the face of the man who
overthrew the best swordsman in Rudarlia. You shall see him again, I
promise you, but now I take him with me."

Before I could say anything, this astonishing man had ushered us both
out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him.

Baron Sluben was outside too; but he was as puzzled as ourselves, until
Mr. Smith whispered something in his ear which caused him to glance at
us keenly.

Mr. Smith turned to us.

"Victor, and you too, Rupert, you know you have my thanks, you can
understand what I have in my heart.  Some day, perhaps, I shall be able
to thank you properly for more than you think, as I had papers of vast
importance with me; and few of these people you have just seen would
have been comfortable, had I lost them.  However, you must leave Karena
at once.  My car is there; pick up Mr. Neville and your belongings, then
without wasting a minute get out upon the Poiska road, from there to
Orvlov, and then on to Soctia.  Wait there at the Ivanoff Hotel until
you hear from me, and speak to no one about this night.  You can trust
me to give you good advice.  Sluben agrees with me."

"Personally, I should advise getting the other side of the frontier; his
Majesty will be furious now Goltz is out of it for a time," said Baron
Sluben.

"No, I have a reason for keeping them in the country; besides, no harm
will come to them in Soctia.  Thank God we still have one place of
refuge.  There is a British Consul there, and British ships in the
harbour."

"But look here," said Carruthers, "I for one don't care about tearing
off as if in a funk, you know."

"I hope it won't be for long; and, when I tell you that your going will
make matters easier for me, I'm sure you won't object," said Mr. Smith
soothingly.

"Oh, of course not."

"Thank you; will you remember that it is for the best, and make as much
speed as possible getting out of Karena?  And now au revoir, my dear
lads; thank you for my life, and the lives of others."

Without saying anything more, we shook hands; Carruthers and I jumped
into the car, and we were off.

I knew the town fairly well by this time, and had no difficulty in
finding my way to the hotel. Carruthers went to see Mr. Neville and
explain matters to him, while I interviewed the manager and settled our
account.  The gratuities I gave were large enough to make the recipients
show their gratitude by doing all within their power to expedite our
departure; to explain which, I informed the manager that sickness had
recalled us to Paris, and that we should go through Bornia, by way of
Agrade, as we had to pick up a friend.  There was no malice in these
untruths; but I thought it justifiable to mislead, under the
circumstances.

An hour after reaching the hotel, we drove off; Mr. Neville inside,
Carruthers with me.

Remembering Mr. Smith's advice, we did not waste time, so that soon
after day-break we ran through Poiska; where Mr. Neville took my place,
and we dozed off for a spell inside.

We had breakfast at a small inn, just off the high road; and did not
stop again until we reached Orvlov, where we lunched, and procured a
supply of petrol for the motor.

From there, it was a pleasant run to the coast, through beautiful
country; we did not hurry, the better to appreciate.

For a week or more, we stayed near the Hotel Ivanoff, merely killing
time with bathing and boating; when, however, no message came from
Karena we commenced to go farther afield, and explored the country and
coast.

One day I found my conscience pricking me: there were letters which
should have been answered. So I was left behind, while the others
started for a day's excursion.  Now, letter-writing never possessed any
great attraction for me; and, after scribbling two or three, I thought
the day was too fine to be wasted, so I took a book, an ample supply of
smokables, also a luncheon basket, and, walking to a little place a mile
or two from the town, hired a boat.

I worked off a good deal of superfluous energy; and then paddled gently
up a small tributary of the Garude, which watered a beautiful part of
Garace, that fair province which had been Rudarlian until some fifty
years before, when the conquering Bornians had taken it.

I tied up the boat, jumped ashore, and made myself comfortable, with
every prospect of enjoying a quiet afternoon.  Having finished my lunch,
and lighted my pipe, I stretched myself luxuriously on the soft grass,
and began to read.  The first chapter of the book held my attention, but
the second and third bored me; so I closed the volume, pitched it into
the boat, and settled myself down to think.

Acting on the advice of Mr. Neville, Carruthers and I had not discussed
our experiences with Mr. Smith; we had agreed to wait until we heard
from him, but I had thought a great deal of the incident. I knew now
with certainty that he was a nobleman, that he was working against the
present monarch, and the members of the party we had seen in the house
were in the plot with him.  I went over every detail of the evening, and
came to the conclusion that he had had some ulterior motive in wishing
me to get the better of Goltz.  What it could be I could not guess,
unless it was that he hoped some day to make me of use in his schemes;
this struck me as the most probable solution to his having taken the
trouble to introduce us to his fellow-conspirators.  But why did he wish
us to remain on Rudarlian soil?  In Bornia we could have been nearer to
him, if he had wanted us.  Perhaps the time was close for him to strike,
and perhaps the rebellion, if he intended to rebel, would start in
Soctia.

What a grand day it was, and how beautiful all this country!  It
reminded me somewhat of the river at home: there was the same feeling of
peace, the same silence, only broken by the ripple of the water, or the
buzzing of insects.  I closed my eyes for a second.

How many seconds passed before I opened them again, I have no idea, but
I must have slept very soundly; and I awakened slowly from a dream, in
which Carruthers had fallen and hurt himself--he was groaning.  So vivid
had the illusion been, that I looked round for him as I awoke; there was
no sign of him, of course, but the daintiest vision, in white, was
sitting where I had thought to see him. The daintiest vision was nursing
her ankle, with many little "ohs!" and "ahs!"  For a second I did not
move, the picture was too fascinating.  Then I raised my length from the
grass, and took off my hat.  It had been very much over my eyes; so in
courtesy I raised it, and put it back at a more becoming angle.

"Can I be of any assistance, mademoiselle?"

"Oh, thank you so much.  I've hurt my ankle; if you would be so kind as
to dip my handkerchief in the water----"

She looked up at me with a pair of eyes which she ought to have kept
veiled, and held out a small wisp of white material.  It was entirely
inadequate for any purpose whatever, so I dipped my handkerchief
instead.

"Perhaps you will permit me to bind it for you, it is so difficult to do
it oneself."

"Thank you very much."

She removed her shoe and stocking, and a sweet slim foot was placed
hesitatingly out; there was a very nasty scratch which must have been
quite painful.  I bound it up with great care, making my handkerchief
nice and tidy, with hers placed over it.

"There, I think you will find that comfortable."

"Indeed, yes; I am extremely grateful to you. Are you a surgeon?"

"No, nothing so useful, I am afraid, merely a passer-by."

"Yes.  Are you generally so successful?"

She laughed merrily; and I remembered the pose in which she must have
first caught sight of me.

"I was passing time," I said gravely.

She was an extremely beautiful girl--extremely beautiful.  I have
repeated that statement, in order the better to explain why I forgot
about everything, save the fact that she was sitting on the grass near
me.  It is so; all thoughts of action to be, all thoughts of things
past, were as nothing compared to the witchery of this young
wood-nymph's company.

It seemed almost as if we had been acquainted for years; there was no
shyness, we simply talked and argued like two friends.

As the afternoon sped on, I began to feel that I had expected to meet
her here, as if my whole being had existed for nothing else.
Unquestionably she filled a space which before had been empty.  There
was no reason on my part; I couldn't have argued about my feelings at
all, I had to accept them.

I flatter myself that the wounded ankle had been forgotten as completely
as I had failed to remember that I had to get back to Soctia; until the
lengthening of the shadows drew our attention to the flight of time.
Then, in haste, my companion must be off; she would under no
circumstances hear of my accompanying her, as she lived but a few
hundred yards away.

"And would it be possible for me to find you here to-morrow?" I asked as
I bent over her hand in saying good-bye.

"Why, yes."

"Then expect me, mademoiselle."

We said good-bye.  She gave me her hand for a second, and then turned
and hurried up the grassy bank and disappeared; while with a light heart
I untied my boat, and taking a last look in the direction the girl had
gone, pushed off, and sculled towards Soctia.

I was quite happy; my thoughts were in a whirl certainly, but why
trouble, what did anything matter, had I not met this divine creature?

I would be in the same place to-morrow, I should see her again, and
learn her name.  Not that I cared who she was; at that moment I would
have proposed marriage to her, had she been a serving maid.  I knew she
was not that, of course; only a lady could have carried herself so
perfectly, and her voice was exquisite in its soft melody.

In my youthfulness, I presumed that she on her side would be as ready as
myself to meet again, and learn to know me better.  I don't think that
this was conceit on my part; but it had all come about so quickly and
naturally that anything else would have seemed inconceivable to me.

I do not know what coin it was that I gave the man who took the boat
from me; but it must have been of considerable value, to judge by the
thanks he poured upon me.

Little did I dream, as I walked up to the hotel, of the awful news that
awaited me.

Mr. Neville met me as I raced up to the hotel; and the look on his face
checked any exuberance in my greeting.

"My boy," he said as we entered my room, "I have very bad news for you:
your stepfather is, I am afraid, very ill."

He handed me the telegram which had brought the bad news, and I read:

"Your stepfather is dying come."

As if in a dream, I said good-bye to Carruthers, who was to await Mr.
Smith's message; got into the car with Mr. Neville, and we were off.

Of the journey that followed, I have the vaguest remembrance; I was too
miserable.  My stepfather had become so much to me; I loved him as well
as though he had been my own father.  I think that I have known few men
who could, with so much right, say: "I have lived as a gentleman
should."

Oh, the interminable waits, the stupidity of porters and booking clerks,
the slowness of that short journey from Calais to Dover.  I felt as
though we had to travel round the world, and yet we accomplished an
awkward journey in remarkable time.

At our little station, I found Bauen waiting; but he could give us no
reassuring news, the best being that he was still alive.

My mother was in the bedroom when I arrived; and, after kissing her, we
stood together, hand in hand, gazing down upon what had been such a
magnificent specimen of manhood, but which was now the mere husk of what
had been.

He lay without movement, it seemed as though even then he might be dead.
As we stood silently, with all our nerves taut and overstrung, I prayed
that he might open his eyes once more, and speak to me.  I think my
prayer was heard, for, just as Mr. Neville came in and stood by us, the
dying man's eyes opened, and, perfectly conscious, he tried to smile at
Mr. Neville.  Then to my mother he murmured two words, full of love and
pride, "My wife."  When they rested on me, as I stood swallowing down my
tears, he said, "Why, Victor, my boy."  His eyes closed for a moment,
then opened again.  "God save your Majesty!" he cried; the next moment
he was gone.

Stunned by the suddenness of his departure, I turned to my mother, who
was standing quite still, with the tears streaming down her cheeks.  I
put my arms round her, but she broke away and flung herself down with
her arms around the dead man's neck, and cried as though her heart were
broken.

Her grief, or rather the greatness of it, surprised me, for in all my
life until then I had never seen my mother give way.  I had had no idea
that her feelings for my stepfather had been so strong; she had always
appeared so calm and cold that I had never given her credit for any deep
feelings, much as I loved her.  Her grief for some time was so
overpowering that I could do nothing; but presently, as her sobs grew
less racking I took her in my arms and did my poor best to console her.
Then little by little she seemed to regain control over herself, and I
persuaded her to go to her own room.

I returned to the bed-side, and all alone stood there, indulging my
sorrow.  I registered a vow, as I gazed down at the now peaceful face,
that I would do all that I could to live a life as free from stain as
his had been, and to try and act in a way which would have given him
pride in me.

I think the three most miserable days of my life were those that
followed my stepfather's death. He was buried on the third day.  How
unhappy I was then, both on account of the loss we had suffered and
other things which followed.

Mr. Smith attended the funeral.  I felt no surprise at his appearing
just before we left the house; it had seemed part of the mystery of my
life that he should be there.  I did not think of our last meeting, nor
of how he could have come so quickly on our tracks, nor did I wonder at
the first words I heard him speak to my mother: "It is time."

Usually I should have pondered deeply on such things, but now I was too
unhappy.

I was alone in my study, that room which had been my nursery; and I sat
by the window wondering, for I had heard as though in a dream that my
stepfather had been an enormously wealthy man, and had bequeathed me
all.  How much it was the solicitor could not tell me, but in England
alone he had invested something over ten millions of pounds, and I
understood that there was more than that sum invested about the world.
It was stupendous, and though I did not realise it, although I did not
understand what my power in the world would be, I groaned at thought of
the endless labour such a vast inheritance would involve.

Heart-sick and weary, I looked out over the sunlit river and recalled
the events of the last few days, sorrowing at the thought that I could
never discuss with my stepfather those things of which I had been full:
our meeting with Quarovitch, the incident of the brigands, my fight with
Goltz, and finally my little friend of the riverside, the girl whose
name even I did not know.

My stepfather's last words came to my mind: "God save your Majesty!"
What could they mean?  I supposed that it was some memory of the past,
for I knew he had been in the diplomatic service.

There was a tap at the door, and Mr. Neville entered.  My stepfather's
death had affected him very much, for a great friendship existed between
the two.  He came to me and placed his hand upon my shoulder.

"Victor, my dear boy, I hate to disturb you, but your mother has asked
me to fetch you; it appears that the time has come when you are to be
told all those things which have so puzzled you.  It seems hard that it
should have come just now, but who knows?  It may be for the best.  Your
future may offer many hard and hateful features; but when it is a case
of duty, you, I know, can be depended on. Always remember that you will
have people who love you to help and direct you, and over them all is
our Maker."

We descended together; but, when we came to the door of the room where
my mother and Mr. Smith were sitting, he turned and would not have
entered, had not my mother insisted upon his being present.  I bent to
kiss her as I passed, and her arms went round my neck, as she returned
the caress, murmuring:

"My boy, my dear boy."

I sat down on a low settee by her side, and waited for her to speak.

Inwardly, I was a mass of nerves.  I had waited so long to hear all I
was now to be told; I felt strangely nervous, as though evil was coming.
How would the revelations affect my life?

"I think you had better speak, Count," said my mother.

"One minute," I said.  "Tell me your name first, please, Mr. Smith."

"Count von Zeula."

"Thank you."  I nodded, well satisfied, for the name was well known to
me.  Many things had been done for Rudarlia, by men bearing that name,
during some hundreds of years.

"I shall want all your attention, Victor, as what I have to tell you may
come as a shock, and first I must relate a little story, a story which
at the time of its happening was in everybody's mouth.  It is a story of
misery.

"Twenty years or so ago, a good King sat upon the throne of Rudarlia; he
was loved by the greater part of his subjects, and in return he
dedicated his life to their welfare, whole-heartedly and devotedly.

"Unfortunately, there were men, nobles, who found that his rule was
injurious to their interests, these interests being the right to fill
their exchequers from the pockets of the lower classes.

"They conspired with the next heir to the throne, who was more to their
liking.

"Then the King married, and his wife gave birth to a son, amid the
joyful acclamations of the nation.

"The conspirators redoubled their activity.  They bought over a few
officers, and some hundreds of the private soldiers.  They waited a
favourable opportunity, working secretly all the while; then raised a
scare of war.  The loyal officers in immediate attendance on their
Majesties were sent away.  The King reviewed a regiment, an assassin
shot him dead."

Mr. Smith brushed a hand across his eyes, was silent for a moment, and
then continued:

"That night a cry was raised that justice had been done, for they swore
the dead King had meant to betray them to their fancied enemies.

"The next step was to incite the lowest class of the people, urging them
to attack the King's Palace where the Queen and her child lay.  Sweeping
into the Royal apartments, they shot them both, presumably; then,
frightened at their own atrocity, they ran away.  The next day, Ivan was
proclaimed King; he had been waiting just over the border.

"A rumour got abroad that some miscreant had set fire to the bedchamber
of the Queen, when she had been murdered.  This was not so--it was I who
set the bed on fire to burn the bodies on it."

"My God!" I said.

"They, however, were not the remains of the Queen and her child, the
King, but those of a groom's wife and offspring, whose lives were
unfortunately sacrificed to save the Royal Mother and the baby King.  No
one looked too closely into the matter, a few of the royal jewels were
there, and the Queen's clothing, also the charred bodies; but the Queen
herself and her child were in safety."

"Is the child alive?" I cried breathlessly.

"He is," said Mr. Smith gravely.

"And you are working for him.  Oh, thank God, I can see the way clearly
now; let me do something to help."

"Eh?"

"Ever since I first went to Rudarlia, I have been trying to find some
way out, and could discover no plan to work on, for Ivan's heir, they
say, is as bad as he is--but now--a King of Merlin's blood.  Oh, thank
God!  Tell me the groom's name, is he alive?"  In my excitement I had
risen and was bending over him.

I looked into his eyes as his face was raised to mine; they were full of
tears.

"His name, Victor, is Bauen."

"Bauen--Bauen!--our Bauen?"

"Your Bauen."

"Then why is he here, what does it mean?"  I looked at my mother, her
face was buried in her hands.

"It means," said Mr. Smith, rising from his chair, "that you are the
King of Rudarlia; and I, your very humble servant."

He seized my hand and kissed it.




                              *CHAPTER VI*


"'You are the King of Rudarlia,'" I repeated.

I looked at him blankly, he kept his eyes fixed on mine; at my mother,
her face was buried in her hands, and I saw her shake with sobs; lastly
I turned to Mr. Neville, and to him I held out my hand.

"Tell me that it is not true, tell me--  Oh, my God!--can't you? won't
you say he is joking?"  My voice, which was hoarse, cracked with the
strain of keeping from screaming.

"It is true, Victor."

"Then nothing on God's earth shall make me take the throne--nothing--I
swear that I----"  I leaned against the table for support.
"Mother--mother, is this what you have kept from me, this awful thing?
Can't one of you speak?--am I to be hurled into a throne?--My God--I
won't, I won't."

I collapsed into a chair, and buried my head in my arms; that this
should have come to me, that my life should be suddenly cropped of its
freedom, that I should be bound hand and foot--  Oh, my God, hadn't
there been some other way to try me?

I looked up, and found that I was crying; damn the tears!  I brushed
them away, and caught Mr. Smith's eye; he was looking at me sadly as
though ashamed of my behaviour.

I felt suddenly as though ice had been placed on my spine, and shivered.
Was this the best I could do?  My dead stepfather, what would he have
thought?  What did Mr. Neville think?

I remembered Colonel von Quarovitch, and his ragged troops.  Those other
brave men turned into brigands by oppression.  The gathering of
gentlefolk in Mr. Smith's house.  Mr. Smith himself, who had planned and
plotted so many years for me. And lastly my mother; what could she be
thinking of her son?  I felt Mr. Neville's hand on my shoulder, and gave
a weak little laugh.

"I'm a pretty spectacle for a King," I said quietly, "a most noble and
worthy specimen. Mother dear, look up--it's all over, you shall never
hear another kick from me.  And you, Mr. Smith, you acclaimed me as
King.  Very well, I will be King; such a King as you may wish--with
God's help--and--and--all of you might forgive me for being such a
rotter."

Mr. Smith seized my hand again and kissed it. Tears were running down
his cheeks; and they were not unmanly.  My outbreak had unnerved him,
for he had no doubt seen the edifice of his building fall in ruins
before him; but it had been the sudden relief at hearing my acceptance
which had caused the tears.

"May God bless your Majesty!" he said.

My dear old tutor's arm was round my shoulders, and I heard him murmur:

"My boy, my boy, I am proud of you."

I bent over my mother.

"Mother dear, don't cry, or I shall think you cannot forgive me.  I will
be King, and will try to rule as my father did."

She looked up then and smiled.

"I'm crying now because I am so happy."

None of us spoke for a few minutes; perhaps we needed the time to pull
ourselves together.  I did for one, then I said:

"Now that I have settled that I am going to be King, it might be
advisable for Mr. Smith to give us any information on the subject which
he thinks fit; but first I should like to know why he wished us to
remain in Rudarlia?"

He considered a little before saying:

"Because the time is at hand: Ivan is on his deathbed.  You must be
there to take his place when he dies; I have everything arranged; they
trusted me to produce the King."

"And will no one think that I am an impostor?"

"I fancy not; several of us have known of your identity, they have
worked with me.  There are thousands of people who will know your
mother, and there is Bauen; I do not think there are many who will deny
his testimony, once his part of the affair is known; also, you have on
your arm a mark, which will be recognised by the doctor who attended at
your birth."

"When will it be necessary for us to depart?"

"To-morrow.  It was your wounding Goltz which put the finishing touch to
him; they say his rage was terrible.  They told him the whole affair had
been arranged by me.  He was very ill before, but that finished him."

"But to-morrow, is it absolutely essential that we should go so soon?"

"Quite, you must meet the leaders of the party as soon as possible; you
may be assured that Ivan's sycophants will not allow Prince Alexis to
remain in ignorance of his cousin's state.  In all probability he will
be in Karena before us."

"If he is, we must turn him out as quickly as he came."

"We will," said Mr. Smith with emphasis.

And there we left it for the time.  I took Mr. Neville away for an hour,
up to my room, where we sat by the window in the chairs which I had left
so willingly, to hear those things which I now wished unheard.  We
looked out on the river, and the sight of the sparkling water brought
back to me the last afternoon I had spent in Garace, and the girl; I
sighed, and turned to my companion.

"My dear old friend," I said, "you will understand me when I tell you
that the news this afternoon has completely thrown me off my balance;
that all my plans have come down with a smash; that the idea of kingly
power has no charm for me; that I would sooner be a subaltern in the
Rudarlian army, with a frayed cap, than wear all the kingly regalia.  My
life in England has taught me the joys of freedom too well; I tell you
candidly, that I fear the future.  I dread it, the more so now, as in
all probability I shall have to make a marriage that will be to the
benefit of the state, and I had other dreams."

He looked at me quickly.

"Is there anyone?" he asked.

I felt myself growing red.

"It may be only calf-love, but I don't think so, yet I have only seen
her once.  I don't even know her name, but the moment I saw her I knew
that I loved her."

"Tell me about it," he said.

I had half feared that he would laugh at me, but he only looked rather
sad and decidedly sympathetic. So emboldened, I blurted out in a shamed
way the story of my meeting with the girl.

He listened in silence until I had finished, then he held out his hand
to me.

"My boy," he said, "a very similar thing happened to me when I was about
your age.  I thought that I had lost all interest in life when she
married some one else; unluckily, I had nothing in my life to fill the
gap; I let myself become a mere machine in my work.  I was morose,
refusing to look for help to the quarter from which real assistance can
come; I mean from God.  And then one day, when I was thinking of all my
misery, the thought flashed over me that perhaps it was a trial, perhaps
I was being tested; and that idea won the day.  I believed then, as I do
now, that, no matter what trials come to us, there is thought and
purpose behind them.

"Our finite minds cannot hope to understand the workings of an infinite
one, so my advice to you is this: do with all your might those things
that you think it your duty to do, and leave the results to God.  Man
cannot be infallible.  You will make mistakes; profit by them; try to
forget your own sorrows in healing those of your country.

"In time you will be able to look at everything with a fresh sense of
perspective.

"Love, if it should come to you with your marriage, will, I daresay, be
of inestimable value to you.  What you feel now may be more the feelings
of sexual attraction than the fuller love of comradeship and mental
sympathy; love does enter Royal marriages, in spite of the cynics."

"I will try to think as you suggest," I said. "But there are other
things of which I wish to talk to you.  To begin with, will you come
with me to Rudarlia, will you continue to be my friend and adviser as
you have been up to now?  I know that once I am on the throne I shall
always have to have Rudarlians about me; but my own private friends they
cannot object to.  As my private secretary, you will always be near me
to help and advise.  Will you come?"

"It may cause jealousy."

"I can't help it if it does.  After Ivan and his many mistresses, they
will have to allow me one man friend; and I believe they will be pleased
to."

"Then I will come."

"Now one thing more, will you stay here and look after my mother until
she can come to Rudarlia?"

"Of course I will, if she wishes it."

We sat up until three in the morning discussing ways and means; but made
no attempt to listen to more than a bare outline of what Mr. Smith had
arranged.  It would all have to come out gradually, in time I should no
doubt learn how he had worked so successfully; he stuck to the principal
things and nothing could side-track him.  I slept for two hours, and
then went to see Bauen.

It was a great day for him; he was to come to Karena with us.  He had
been looking forward for twenty years to seeing me upon my throne.

I believe that his soul was wrapped up in one idea, that of doing his
duty to my family.  I doubt if any man, noble or commoner, had ever
served a Royal family with such self-sacrifice and devotion.

He had given his wife and only child, to save my mother and myself; and
had exiled himself for twenty years from friends and country, to
continue in our service.  God bless him.

We, that is Mr. Smith and I, spent the day with my solicitor, attending
to some of the business entailed by my inheritance.  Then, in the
evening, we embarked on the journey which would bring either a crown or
death to me.

I say "death" advisedly; for, should anything have gone wrong with Mr.
Smith's plans, it was hardly likely that Alexis and his followers would
allow me to live.

I am glad to be able to feel that the thought of danger rather pleased
me than otherwise.

We had cabled to Carruthers to meet us at Ruln, a frontier post, much
farther south than Melanov.

We did not waste a moment of the time our journey consumed.  Mr. Smith
was instructing me in the education of a King.

At Ruln we had two hours to wait, according to the time-table; but, by
lavish bribery, Mr. Smith secured a special to take us as far as the
junction, at Katalona.

Leaving Bauen in charge of the luggage--which was light--we went in
search of Carruthers.

We found him seated upon a bench, the picture of glumness.

"Hullo, Splosh!" he cried, his face lighting up at sight of us.  "What a
forsaken place this is. I've been here five hours, and only spoken to
one man, who thinks he came from 'the thigh of Jupiter,' to judge by his
side.  Look, there he is."

A dissipated looking young man, of about my own age, had slouched out on
to the platform, followed by a couple of older men, both of whom were
muffled up in overcoats, in spite of the fact that it was a warm
evening.

I heard Mr. Smith draw in a hissing breath, and turned to where he had
been standing.

"Hist! don't look my way, I am just in the doorway to your left; walk
towards me, and stop opposite.  I don't wish to be seen--that is Prince
Alexis."

"Who?" asked Carruthers.

"An enemy, old man, you shall know everything in a little while."

I looked with interest at my rival, though I took good care not to allow
him to see it.

If ever a man of his age had vice written clearly upon his face, he had;
and I thought to myself that it would go even worse with Rudarlia under
his rule than under Ivan's, should he ever come to the throne. There was
cruelty, craftiness, and gross sensuality in his countenance.

Luckily, after walking up and down the platform two or three times, in
close conversation with his companions, he disappeared once more into
the miserable room.  As he did so, an official approached and, with many
bows, informed us that our special was waiting, a few yards down the
track, with our baggage on board.

Mr. Smith kept his face turned away, as we passed the window of the room
where Alexis was sitting. In ten minutes, we were a mile or more away
from Ruln.

The pace at which we were travelling caused the single coach to rock and
rattle horribly; so much so, that it was necessary for Carruthers to sit
very close to me to hear what I said, as I had to speak in a low tone.

He was amazed and delighted that, as he expressed it, his old Splosh was
going to be a King.

Then the silly fellow insisted upon kissing my hand and generally
playing the fool; I think he did it to keep my spirits up.

Mr. Smith looked on with a grim smile.  I fancy he thought that stern
realities would come soon enough.

There was a basket of provisions in the carriage; and, when we had
finished our meal, he advised me to try to sleep.  I took his advice,
and slept like a log until he awoke me with the news that we were just
getting into Katalona.

Two soldiers were lounging upon the platform as we alighted.  I noticed
that they saluted as we passed them, and then followed us at a little
distance.

In less than an hour the car in which we had driven from the junction
pulled up at Mr. Smith's house.

The driver followed us in.

Without speaking, Mr. Smith led the way into a room fitted up as a
library; it was still dark, so he switched on the electric light.  At
the same moment, three other men entered the room.  Bauen had come in
with us.

He assisted me to remove my covert-coat; then, bowing deeply, stood
back.

Mr. Smith advanced a step towards me.

"Your Majesty," he said, "would you remove your coat, and show your
right arm to these gentlemen?"

Without a word I did so.

Just above my elbow, I have three small red marks.  They are triangular
in shape; birthmarks, I think they are called.

The three men came nearer, and I held out my arm for their inspection.

The first to examine it was a white-haired old man, who trembled
violently as he bent over.  He seized my hand and kissed it.

"God bless your Majesty."

The other two did the same.

"Count Belen and Count von Maark will be here to-day, if further
testimony is needed; we have here, as well, Bauen, the groom," said Mr.
Smith.

"No further identification is necessary," declared the old man, and
bowing the three withdrew.

Mr. Smith had prepared me for this, so I was not surprised, but I did
not know who these three men were, and asked him.

"The white-haired one was the doctor who attended your Majesty's mother,
at the time of your birth; the other two are Prince von Venoff and Baron
von Casile."

He bowed as he spoke.  I glanced round, as I was surprised at his
ceremonious behaviour: the driver of the car was still in the room.

"Surely, Count," I said, "there is some one here whom I should know?"
And I smiled towards the man.

"May I present, to your Majesty, Colonel Woolgast, who commands the
body-guard?"

The Colonel bent to kiss my hand, but I prevented him; seized his
instead, and shook it.

"Until I am King," I said, "I will shake your hand and call you
'Colonel'; when I am King, you shall kiss my hand, but I will call you
'General.'"

He became red with pleasure; and, by the twinkle in Mr. Smith's eye, I
knew that I had done right to make a friend of this man.

Colonel Woolgast having left the room, I turned to Mr. Smith.

"Have you done anything about Prince Alexis?" I asked.

"I am sending a man to watch him.  Woolgast will see to it that he does
not enter the Royal apartments.  In a little time you will have to
receive a great number of people; I will be by your side to tell you
what I can of them, to give you a better idea of what to say.  All are
devoted to Rudarlia.  I am glad you said what you did to Woolgast, he is
not titled, you know, and some rather snub him on that account; but he
is a good man, loyal to a degree to his country."

"Are there any members of the government?"

"Not one; they cannot be trusted, all being Ivan's parasites."

"How will that affect our plans, surely the Minister of War will have
something to say?"

"He is the worst hated man among them, the soldiers execrate him."

"H'm!  I shall look to you for a New Cabinet."

"Your Majesty will need one, as all the present members will be in our
power by to-night, I trust. General von Vorkovitch will give orders to
the troops for that."

"How is it that he has not been retired by Ivan?"

"Even Ivan did not dare to touch the man who won the battle of Vortz.
He has been the idol of the country for years, but had no chance of
doing anything to retrieve matters."

"Jealousy?" I asked.

"Chiefly, there was no one to be the head, that was why we had to wait
until you came to an age fit for it."

We had no time for more conversation, as the sound of motors approaching
warned us that people were arriving to pay me homage.

I stood at one end of the room--which was very large--and waited.  Mr.
Smith was at my right, a little behind me; Carruthers and Bauen behind
him again.  My ordeal began.

The first few to arrive were soldiers, officers commanding regiments now
in Karena.

These I thanked for their loyalty, and asked a few questions about their
commands.

They looked at me with well-bred curiosity.  At my request, Carruthers
was made known to them by Mr. Smith, and he stood chatting with them
while I devoted myself to the ever-flowing tide of fresh arrivals.

They were not all men, some dozen ladies being among them.  One of
these, a grand old lady with snow-white hair, had been a friend of my
mother's. So Mr. Smith whispered as she came towards me.

I kissed her hand and asked her to extend her friendship to me for my
mother's sake.

"Your Majesty should have more self-confidence," she replied.

And when I laughingly hinted that she should teach me, she laughed in
reply and told me that, had she been forty years younger, she would have
been charmed.

I assured her, with an air of astonishment, that I thought babies were
useful to teach patience only.

This pleased her mightily, for she remarked that her sex would be no
better off by my replacing Ivan, for whilst he ruled women with writing,
I should do it with speaking.

This delicately veiled gibe at Ivan, for his predilection for paying
vast sums of money to his mistresses by cheque, pleased those who heard
it tremendously.

"Prince Kleber, he prides himself on his fencing," this from Mr. Smith.

I looked at the haughty, cold face before me.

"Ah, Prince," I said after the customary salutations, "some day I hope
that you will give me a lesson or two with the foils."

The haughty look vanished in a second.

"Your Majesty is too kind; I am flattered."

"The kindness will be yours, Prince, if you will give me the lessons."

"But what could I teach your Majesty, who gave Goltz such a fine
thrust?"

"A trick, Prince; but what I wish from you is the sounder play, and the
knowledge of some of those thrusts of which, no doubt, you have the
secret."

I found out afterwards that Mr. Smith's words had been of inestimable
value, for this was his weak point: no one could flatter him too much
about his sword-play.  In other things he was unapproachable; but from
that day to this Prince Kleber and I have been very great friends.

The room was filling up now, and I saw Mr. Smith's face wreathed in
smiles, from which I surmised that I was playing my part well.

There was a little commotion in the crowd, and General von Vorkovitch
was announced.

He was much older than I had anticipated, bowed, and rather shaky.

He would have bent in homage, had I not anticipated it by advancing a
step or two and taking his hand.

"Your Majesty," he said slowly, "I have waited for this day, praying
that I might be spared to see my King upon the throne of Rudarlia."

"General, before I knew that I was to be a King, even when a little boy
at school, I thought of and longed to see the victor of Vortz, so God
has been good to us both."  I turned to Bauen.  "A chair for General von
Vorkovitch."  Then turning to the old man, I continued, "Sit, General,
we shall want all your strength, perhaps, to win us more battles."

The last to arrive was the editor of the most influential paper in
Rudarlia, a man of much importance.  His articles on the abuse of power
had more than once caused the suppression of his paper, and exile or
imprisonment to himself.

I was talking to him, when Mr. Smith made me a sign; I knew what it
meant, and nodded.

He immediately commanded silence.  Instantly a hush fell on the groups
of excited men and women, and they formed a circle round me.

My speech was an impromptu one, the first of many, for I have found
that, when one speaks without preparation, one often gets home to the
hearts of one's hearers.

"To all of you here this morning, I have a few words to say.  God made
me, by birth, your King; you, by the loyalty and devotion you have
shown, have brought me near the throne.  I thank you in my murdered
father's name and my own. If it is willed that I shall fill the place
you would have me fill, I promise you that Rudarlia shall have a monarch
who thinks of his country first in all things, and that unjust taxation,
favouritism, and wanton waste of public moneys shall be unknown while I
have the honour to be your King.  Once again I thank you."

They were very simple words, but their effect was extraordinary; carried
away no doubt by their excitement and joy, they cheered, and cheered
again. I heard Carruthers' voice as he hurrahed like one possessed; and
I felt that indeed I was a King come into my own.

It was ten in the morning before the last of the visitors drove off, and
we were left alone.

I felt very tired, and I cannot truthfully say happy.  Events had moved
so quickly that I had had no time for my private griefs; perhaps it was
lucky.

Soon after we breakfasted; and then I had to receive church dignitaries,
but their business did not occupy much time.  I had been born into the
Catholic Church, and had a great love for it, so there was nothing to
upset the churchmen, once I had given my word to uphold and cherish
their faith. Their power, which was considerable, had been against Ivan
from the first, for he had abused and scoffed at all religion, being
himself a gross materialist.

The Archbishop blessed me, and assured me of the support of his clergy.

When they had gone, Mr. Smith ran over again the various factions who
had been gained to our side; and it appeared that the only enemies we
were likely to have were the newly created nobles and useless officials,
together with a small number of idealists who held theories, always
impracticable.

"I know," said Mr. Smith, "that nearly the whole nation will rejoice to
have your father's son upon the throne.  You have made friends of every
one who came to-day, one and all went away rejoicing.  I have done all I
can now to make the way smooth; but it rests in God's hands, Victor. His
will be done."

"Amen," I said.

We lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and then he continued:

"The Press will have a scoop to-morrow.  I thought it best to leave to
them the writing of the first news; it will be necessary, however, for
you to make a declaration, simple and short, as your speech this
morning.  I could never have believed those people could have so far
forgotten the Royal presence, their feelings must have been very great."

"All the better, it shows how they love Rudarlia."

"Some day it will be their King as well," said Mr. Smith.

And inwardly I hoped that it might be so.

"How are we to know when to go?" I asked.

"They will let me know from the Palace; the news of Ivan's death will
not be told until we choose.  Every one, save the doctors, nurses, and
Woolgast, will have been kept from the sick-room all to-day.  One of the
doctors is our man; the other will be when he finds that he is
practically a prisoner."

"But the Queen?  I have never until now thought of her."

"The Queen, poor lady, has confined herself more and more these last few
years to her own suite.  She rarely goes out, never entertains; I think
Ivan broke her heart soon after they were married."

"But what will become of her?"

"That will rest with your Majesty."

"Is she loved by anyone?"

"All those who know her intimately say that she is grieved to the heart
at the misery caused by Ivan and his gang; all the little money that she
has had has gone in charity."

"Ah!" I said.

"I have had made," said my companion, to turn the subject, I thought, "a
number of uniforms, as near as possible to your measure.  To-day I think
it would be as well if you put on that of the Guard, not here, but at
the Palace.  I think they will fit you, as I had one of your suits to
measure from."

There was something pathetic to me in all these little preparations of
Mr. Smith's.  I felt like a boy leaving for school, when his father is
adding some little thing that might give him pleasure.

The thought of all the years spent by this elderly man working and
planning, so that I might some day be seated on the throne, gave me a
lump in the throat, and I bent and kissed him.

"Victor, my dear boy, God knows I wish you had been son of mine; I could
not have loved you more."

"In future," I said quietly, "you shall be as my father; you guide and
teach me kingcraft.  I only wish I could do something to show my
gratitude."

"Ah, my boy, be yourself, trust to your conscience with regard to
Rudarlia, and I shall be happy in my pride--but who is this?"

It was Baron Sluben who knocked and entered. He came up to me and bowed
low.

"The usurper is dead; long live the King!"

I know that from that minute I felt one, I do not know why.

Mr. Smith took a pair of revolvers from a desk, handed one to me and put
the other in his pocket.

"Come," he said, "it is time."

The three of us went out to the car.  I felt cool, and made some
cheerful remark to Carruthers.

"Good old Splosh, what is it to be, 150 not out?"

"Or a duck," I said.

Sluben, who understood a little English, looked at Mr. Smith with a
puzzled expression on his face.

"It is all right, Baron," he said, answering the look, "his Majesty is
talking of an English game."

"But the duck, Count, is it alive or for dinner?"

This was too much for us; and we laughed heartily while explaining.

I think our high spirits must have been contagious, for we were
continually laughing all the way to the Palace, where we entered by a
back door.

Colonel Woolgast was waiting.  After assuring us that all was well, he,
at my request, led the way to a room on the same floor as the Royal
apartments.

Here, as Mr. Smith had stated, I found the uniforms laid out, and Bauen
waiting.

In twenty minutes I was dressed, and looked at myself in a tall cheval
glass.

I looked very nice indeed, the white and gold uniform set off my figure
to the utmost, while the plumed helmet added to my height and general
impressiveness.  Even Carruthers admitted that I looked like a King, and
a fine one, too, which was great praise from him, who was not given to
paying me compliments.

I wore across my chest the broad ribbon of the "Star of Rudarlia" with
its splendid insignia in diamonds and gold, which Mr. Smith fastened to
my tunic.

At length, all was ready, and Woolgast slipped from the room.

Ten minutes later, came the sullen boom of a cannon; and the people who
heard it knew that King Ivan was dead.




                             *CHAPTER VII*


I walked to the window and looked out into the square below.  As I did
so, I noticed an unusual stir among the people who were passing.  Every
one seemed to be flocking to the Palace; the gates were wide open; and a
continual stream of motor-cars and carriages kept entering and leaving.
This was evidently an unusual sight, for the ordinary passers-by
gathered at the entrances to watch, and most probably wonder.  Then I
noticed newspapers being sold, and the hum of many excited voices could
be heard.  I turned to Mr. Smith.

"Can they know already, do you think?"

"Undoubtedly, I have seen to that, and in all the chief cities of your
Majesty's kingdom; they will know as fast as the telegrams can be sent."

Woolgast had left the room, but now returned and came up to where I was
standing.

"I have to report, your Majesty, that Prince Alexis has just entered the
Palace, and been arrested."

"That is good news, Colonel; I was fearing that he might be
troublesome."

I think Mr. Smith had rather feared the same thing, for I heard him
heave a sigh of relief.

"That eases my mind," he said.  "It will be a bloodless _coup d'etat_,
after all."

"Thanks to the excellence of your plans."

"And the loyal co-operation of all those people who knew; a single word
might have spoilt all. As it is, there is nothing now to prevent your
Majesty entering the throne room."

"I am ready."

"Then let us go."

He threw open the door and I passed out.  My body-guard were drawn up
ready to attend me; I saluted them as I came out of the room, and they
fell in behind me.  This affair was not to be marked by much state, but
Mr. Smith had seen to it that there was enough.  That is to say, there
were ushers and heralds, with other functionaries, who preceded me to
clear the way, and throw wide the great doors which led into the throne
room.  I felt that I would sooner have seen the spectacle from the other
end, or in one of the galleries; but that was not to be, so I entered
bravely, although my heart did beat a trifle more rapidly than usual.

The place seemed packed from floor to roof; whichever way I turned,
there were smiling faces. A deafening shout greeted me.  These good
people evidently could not restrain their joy at thoughts of the
restoration of the beloved dynasty of the Stephanovitchs.

I stood on the edge of the dais, and smiled for very joy at the
acclamations; pride, too, had its way, and I was pleased to think that I
was King. It was so much nicer than I had anticipated. Mr. Smith, by my
side, held up his hand, and almost immediately there was silence.

A gorgeous figure, clad in robes which no King could rival, stepped
forward; there was a fanfare of trumpets, and then:

"King Ivan is dead, God save King Victor!"

"Speak to them," said Mr. Smith.

"Rudarlians"--how funny my voice sounded, I could hardly believe that I
was speaking--"I am the son of Merlin.  I am your King, Rudarlia is my
country.  Help me therefore to undo the errors of my predecessor; give
me your loyalty, and together we will give new life to our beloved
country, and keep her clean from tyrannous injustice.  Help me, and we
will make it a proud boast when a man can say: 'I am a Rudarlian.'"

For the second time that day, my words seemed to meet with approval, for
my stepping back was the signal for another hurricane of cheers.  I
thought they would never stop, and that low fellow Carruthers said, loud
enough for me to hear, to Mr. Smith:

"He ought to get in with a thumping majority."

Mr. Smith had told me that from time immemorial, on such occasions, the
King always walked straight down the hall and up a broad stairway at the
other end, and so back to his own apartments.  As it had been the
custom, I saw no reason to break away from it, so once more the heralds
cleared the way for me; and I passed through the long hall, between two
lines of bowing people, who laughed and cried at the same time.

Under my father's rule there had been a golden age for Rudarlia, and
this must account for the extraordinary enthusiasm with which I was
greeted. We went, some dozen in all, to a room overlooking the main
entrance to the Palace; and from there we watched the people gathering
in hundreds, to hear from those who passed out--whatever they did hear.

They seemed pleased with the news, whatever it was, for they turned
their faces to the Palace and shouted.  It was not only the people who
appeared gay, but presently the shops as well; flags and coloured
ribbons began to be displayed.  Then men came with great placards: "God
Save Victor II., Merlin's Son," in red letters on a yellow ground. Some
one had stage-managed the thing very well, nothing had been forgotten.

As I looked down upon the heaving mass of men and women, an irresistible
longing came over me to ride out among them, to go to the Cathedral, and
thank God that no blood had been shed in this, my triumph.

"Count," I said, turning to Mr. Smith, "is there any reason why I should
not go now to the Cathedral?"

He looked at me hesitatingly for a moment.

"Not if your Majesty wills it," he said quickly.

"Then I will go, for there are a number of good citizens in danger of
being crushed, down there, in their eagerness to catch sight of me."

"I will order your Majesty's carriage."

"No!  I will ride."

Colonel Woolgast had returned; and I told him of my intention.

He looked anxious; and asked whether he should call out troops to line
the way.

"Troops?" I said, perhaps foolhardily.  "No, Colonel, just my own
body-guard, half to clear a way, and the other half to follow.  I will
begin, as I intend to go on, by trusting the people. Count Zeula, I
should be pleased if you would ride with me; and you, too, gentlemen, if
so inclined."

"Thank God we shall have a King," I heard some one mutter, and then Mr.
Smith and I were alone again, waiting for our horses.

"Am I wise?" I asked.

"Yes, Victor, I think you are, only I am nervous for your safety."

"I feel that nothing could hurt me to-day," I said, laughing.  "But
there is one thing I have forgotten, I wish Bauen to ride with us, to
let the people see that loyalty such as his is not forgotten by my
family."

"God made you a King before ever you came to Rudarlia, Victor."

And, at something in his voice, I felt myself blushing.

I shall never forget that ride.  The great cry that arose as the
body-guard wheeled into the courtyard; the instantaneous sundering of
the crowd to make a way as the gates were swung open.

Unaffectedly I rejoiced, as I rode through them, some ten yards behind
the last rank of the vanguard, with Mr. Smith half a length behind me;
Woolgast, Carruthers, Bauen and the rest two lengths behind him again.

I was almost deafened by the shouts of welcome that arose from the
crowd.

A child, escaping from his mother's restraining hand, ran under my
horse's feet.  In a moment I was out of my saddle, and had the little
thing in my arms, sobbing, frightened, but unhurt.

A halt had been called; and the mother, a poor ragged woman, approached,
terrified, trembling.  I gave the boy into her arms, with two or three
pieces of gold.

"Take him, my good woman," I said, "and keep him, for one day Rudarlia
may have need of him."

The crowd grew delirious; they burst through the restraining arms,
surrounded me, cheering and blessing me.  For some little time they were
hysterical in their expressions of loyalty, until I had to stand up in
my stirrups and ask them to make way for me.  At the sound of my voice
they once again surged back, and our cortege passed on.

Luckily, it was not a great way to the Cathedral, or I doubt if we
should have reached it before nightfall. As it was, it was six o'clock
before we started on our homeward journey.

So dense was the crowd, that we went at a walk the whole way; the more
adventurous would press forward, and touching my boot, bridle, anything,
were contented.

They were a good-natured mass of people; and, although the jostling and
discomfort must have been appalling, I heard never a single oath or
bad-tempered remark, only blessings, and heart-felt utterances of joy.

We were within sight of the Palace, when I saw the escort which rode
before me divide into two parts, and down the middle came six beautiful
girls, carrying great bunches of flowers; some enthusiast had organised
the party, and ransacked a florist's shop evidently.

The crowd swept back, and left a clear space around them.

One little maid, who was in advance, came timidly up to me, as I sat on
my horse, laughing down at them.

She was too tongue-tied to say anything, so she just held up a bunch of
white roses for me to take. She was so tiny, and looked so sweetly
pretty, that I could not resist dismounting; and, picking up the little
one, kissed her, at the same time taking the roses, and fastening them
somehow into my tunic.

Seeing this, some wit in the crowd called out:

"The others want payment too."

And this idea caught on to such an extent that I was obliged to kiss all
the other blushing five, to the delight of the onlookers.  Mr. Smith
laughed heartily; and even the stern-faced troopers looked away to hide
their emotion.

That, however, was the last delay we had; and shortly after we turned in
through the Palace gates.

Jove! how hot and tired I was, I remember it to this day, and the
gorgeous relief when, in my own apartments, I bathed and put on cool
evening dress.

In spite of fatigue, there was an immense amount of work to be got
through that night; I don't know how many times I put my signature to
papers handed me by Mr. Smith, but it seemed millions.

I had sent a telegram to my mother, just a few words, saying that all
was well.

At Mr. Smith's suggestion, I had invited some twenty or thirty people to
take supper with me, and at eleven o'clock I vowed that I would work no
more.  At which Mr. Smith and Baron Sluben laughed, and said that they
had been wondering when I meant to stop; and only then did I realise
that it had been my place to call a halt, not theirs.

Twice, during these hours of writing, I had been obliged to leave the
room, and show myself to the people who stood outside the Palace gates,
cheering continuously; but, as it grew towards midnight, the crowd had
dwindled, and I could feel more at rest.

I think my first supper-party was a success, the late King's chef being
one of the best in Europe.

Naturally enough, high spirits reigned supreme, as one and all there,
with the single exception of myself, had worked for years for what had
happened this day.

The guests were all very great people in the realm; and, when supper was
finished, we withdrew to another room to hold a Council of War, to
decide what should be done with Prince Alexis and his following.

There were some whose advice was distinctly Machiavellian, desiring to
stamp out all of Ivan's race.  They had forgotten, perhaps, that I was
related to him.  There were others, who thought that imprisonment for
life was the thing; while the majority, of which I was one, held in
favour of exile.

That was for Alexis and his chief advisers; the minor characters would
have to live on their estates, under certain conditions, or leave the
country, the choice to be theirs.  And so, after a somewhat lengthy
debate, it was decided.

Perhaps we were too lenient, knowing as we did the kind of men with whom
we dealt; but severity was abhorrent to me who had been so short a while
King.

It was long past midnight when I went to my room to sleep; and even then
I did not go direct, for I was obliged to pass the door of the room
where Ivan's body lay.  A trooper of my body-guard had been placed on
guard there, and I stopped to say a word to him; as I did so, the sound
of weeping reached my ears.

I looked inquiringly at Mr. Smith, who accompanied me.

"It is Ivan's wife, your Majesty."

"Alone," I asked, "and at this hour?"

The guard answered that she had been within for some two hours, by
herself.

"I would speak to her, Count; do not wait, you need repose.  Goodnight."

He looked at me for a moment, and then bowed.

"Good night, your Majesty," he said and left me.

I do not know what impulse urged me to push the door quietly open, and
enter; not curiosity, God knows.  I think it was just the desire to try
and comfort this poor lady.

She was kneeling beside the bed on which the body lay, a fragile figure
in black, her head buried in her arms, sobbing as though indeed her
heart was broken.

As I approached, she raised her tear-stained face to mine; and I saw
that it was still comely, though haggard and weary.

"Who are you?" she said quietly.

"A friend of your Majesty's," I answered.

"'Majesty,' I never was that, since my husband was never really the
King."

"Nevertheless, madame, if you will permit, I will address you so; for
you, by your acts, have proved yourself a Queen."

She had risen to her feet, and stood looking at me intently.

"Are you the King?" she asked.

"So people have acclaimed me to-day, madame."

"Could you not leave me to my grief, in the midst of your joy?"

"God forbid that I should intrude, madame, on grief such as yours, were
it not for the great desire I have to aid, and if possible comfort you;
but see," I drew a curtain on one side, making the light of early dawn
visible to her, "the night is nearly spent."  I dropped the curtain
again.  "Your Majesty, will you not permit me to escort you to your
room, or call one of your ladies, for, next to God, surely one of your
own sex could best comfort you?"

"God," she said, "do you believe then in God?"

"Surely, madame."

"Is that why you came in to me here?"

"I had not thought of it, but probably it was His doing, for I think
that all kind thoughts are His, and all the pity within me woke at the
sound of your weeping."

"Then may He be praised," she said, "that Rudarlia will once more have a
merciful King."

"You love Rudarlia, madame?"

"Ah yes, so much, perhaps my sorrow to-night is more self-pity at
thought of leaving than sorrow for my dead husband, for I had wept all
my tears for him years ago."  She spoke with a little dry huskiness that
sounded strangely pathetic.

"Leave Rudarlia, that would be your wish, would it not, to return to
your own country, away from sorrowful sights and remembrances?"

There was tragedy in her reply:

"My own country, where is it?  My father is dead.  I had no friends
before I married, I was too young; and the few of my countryfolk who
accompanied, and remained with me, are gone."

"Then, madame, remain here, where you will be always an honoured guest.
The people love you, I know; and you can devote your time happily to
whatever you desire, without hindrance.  It shall be my pleasure to see
that everything you may wish for shall be yours, and I shall hope to
have gained a friend."

"Your Majesty," she said, "what can I say, how can I accept, how can I?"

"By saying, madame, that you will stay.  It will be our part, after
that, to show you that Rudarlia remembers those who loved her, even in
the midst of their own unhappiness."

"Oh, how can I?" I heard her murmur, "how can I, I, the wife of the
usurper?"

"Madame, your husband's sins must be answered for by himself; you,
however, have never been associated with him in the minds of the people.
Only by your goodness, kindness, and charity, are you judged by them;
even my mother, who has, God knows, suffered greatly at Ivan's hands,
will never think of you except with loving thoughts, as one who was
sinned against.  I can answer for her, as justice has been ever dear to
her.  Come, madame, decide as we wish it, and let me see you smile at
thoughts of happiness to be."

She looked up at me, and I saw her bravely struggling with her tears.

"May God bless you, as you deserve; I will do as you will."

"That is right, madame, and now permit me."

I raised her hand, and pressed it to my lips; and, retaining it in mine,
led her gently from the room, back to her own apartments, where her
ladies were waiting.




                             *CHAPTER VIII*


That night, for the first time in my life that I can remember, I dreamt
of my father. Presumably, the excitement of the day had affected my
nerves; but this dream was so vivid, that I can recall it even now: I
seemed to be in a vast, ruined cathedral, walking round and round,
seeking some means of egress; and, finding none, sat down on the bottom
step of the stairway which led to the top of a frightfully high tower.

I felt unutterably despondent, for I knew that outside everything I
wanted was awaiting me, and yet I could not name any one thing.

Then I saw some one near me, and I called to him to ask his assistance
in escaping; he did not answer, but just pointed up the stairway.  So I
started to ascend; it was weary work, as the steps appeared never to
end, and I toiled laboriously up, up, ever up.  Once I despaired and
started to descend, but there stood my father pointing and smiling, so I
turned again and resumed my interrupted ascent. I was just about to
relinquish it for good, when I woke.

It appears strange to me now, when thinking of it, that my father never
said a word to explain, and that all my effort apparently led nowhere.

It was Bauen's entrance that had awakened me; and in a very short time I
had dressed, breakfasted, and was once more ready for work.

I found Mr. Smith in the great study, where the evening before I had
signed so many papers; as we were alone we chatted in a friendly way,
for I don't think ceremony was to the liking of either of us.

"Well, Prince," I said, "the first thing I wish is for you to have the
necessary papers made out confirming you in that title."

"It can wait, Victor."

"Not a day, I wish it done at once."

"Very well," he replied, laughing.

"And now, I suppose, I have to incur danger of writer's cramp, eh?"

"For a good many days to come, I am afraid."

"You know I saw Ivan's wife last night?"

"Yes."

"Well, she wanted, or rather she did not want to leave Rudarlia, so I
asked her to stay.  Of course, her financial affairs will be my concern
privately."

"I thought you would."

"Are you against it?"

"No.  I think she is a good woman, and her life has been very
miserable."

He smiled slightly.

"How have I amused you?"

"Because I knew last night, when you left me, that it was to comfort
her.  Victor, my boy, you must not allow your pity to sway you always.
In this case it is all right, but many times it is a fault, in a king.
People attribute it to weakness, unfortunately."

"Very well, I must remember, but I do so hate to see misery."

"I know you do, Victor, but you must always think of the cause and
effect, especially the effect your attitude towards it may have.  It is
difficult to be a good king and also follow the doctrines of Christ, for
His teaching was more for the individual life than for the king of a
nation, the people of which do not themselves follow His doctrines
strictly."

"True," I agreed.  "It seems to be almost impracticable in the present
state of the world."

"And the longer you live, the more convinced you will be that the Gospel
which has it that He said, 'I come not to bring peace, but a sword,' is
nearer the mark."

"Then must I be severe?"

"No, but just.  That is the greatest of all things, and will lead to the
greatest good of the people; not the greatest good of the greatest
number, for that is a doctrine I do not hold with."

"How so?" I said, for this remark had surprised me.

"For this reason: the greatest good of the greatest number necessitates
the sacrifice of the few; now it is my opinion that the minority are of
the most good to a state, for as a rule it is comprised of the more
intellectual, artistic, and finer grades of mind.  These people are the
natural leaders; and, if by legislation you injure that minority, you do
harm in the long run to the majority, for the great mass look to the few
for ideals.  Mind you, I do not deny that, in some cases, injustice is
done by, and for the few, but those cases are, or ought to be, judged by
a different scale of values."

"Give me an instance."

"An instance?  Well, look at England.  By taxing the upper classes,
enough money is raised to miseducate the masses.  The result is that
those professions which depend more or less upon education are lowered,
vulgarised, by the demand of vulgar minds.

"Literature, which should be one of the great uplifting influences, is
becoming every day more and more adapted to the commoner mind, under the
name of progress.  Progress it is, but in the wrong direction, for it
serves to bring all to a dead level of mediocrity; and I maintain that a
few lofty minds, leaders in the world of thought, are infinitely more
prolific of true progress than smart mediocrity."

I had paused in my writing to listen to my companion, for I had never
heard him in this vein before; but his arguments needed thought, and I
told him so.

"Thought! why, of course they do.  Think over them whenever you can;
and, in thinking, apply the principle to all different cases."

"I will; but just now I could not think clearly, for I fancy I hear
sounds that indicate more cheering crowds outside."

"A sound that Ivan never heard," said Mr. Smith.

"And which reminds me, that I wish to see Prince Alexis before he leaves
for the frontier."

"You will not, I hope, delay his departure," said my companion slyly.

"On the contrary, I shall expedite it."

"You wish to see him alone?"

"If you please, when I have finished these," and I touched the papers
before me.  "But I wish to know what you think of this scheme of mine.
There are, I have heard, a number of poor wretches in prison for
non-payment of taxes.  I propose to release them at once, and if
possible to place them back upon the land.  To do this, it will be
necessary to dispossess a number of people who bought the various farms
for little over the sum wanted to pay the taxes.

"Now these people took advantage of Ivan's overtaxation to invest their
money in property, which to my mind was not the State's to sell.
Therefore, they made a bad bargain; but, as I wish to be just, I propose
paying them the purchase money, plus five per cent., plus a fair amount
for any improvements.  That is my idea.  What do you think of it?"

Mr. Smith thought for some time.

"I see exactly what you wish, but there are difficulties, very great
difficulties.  To begin with, you would have to create a number of
officials to deal with each claim separately, which is bad, for anything
that leads to a bureaucracy is pernicious in a monarchy; besides which,
you will make enemies of the men you dispossess.  Again, it will be
necessary to sift to the bottom the reasons there were for the taxes not
having been paid.  It might also encourage the recipients of your favour
to object to all taxation, whether just or not."

"Your reasons may be sound," I said, "but I will try to upset them.
First, you object to the creation of an army of officials.  Now that is
an extreme argument, I think, for there are records in each district of
sales of land, and these can be seen with little trouble.  I proposed
offering a little extra payment to the permanent officials in each
district, and doing the business gradually.  To my mind, it is necessary
to know much more about the land and its productive qualities than we
do, for I have read reports dealing with the subject; so a few extra men
would not be amiss to inquire into our whole system of agriculture.

"Secondly, you contend that I shall make enemies.  I do not agree; these
people will get back more than they paid, for something which was
distinctly in the nature of a gamble.  Those are the two most important
reasons against; the other involves too much human nature for me to
argue about until I have more knowledge of Rudarlians."

"We are a Parliament in ourselves, Victor, and your answers need leisure
for contemplation. However, I see you have finished, so I will give
orders for Prince Alexis to be brought to you."

"Thank you, Prince; don't forget about your title.  I have just thought
of a new role for you: Prince von Zeula, Bear-leader to the King."

"It is a title that does me honour," he said, and smilingly withdrew.

Colonel Woolgast ushered in Prince Alexis, and stood as though he
expected to have to re-escort the prisoner.

"I will ring, Colonel," I said, touching a small silver bell upon my
desk, "if you will remain within hearing."

He cast an anxious glance at me; and the next moment I was alone with
the man to whom my coming must have been a terrible blow.

"There is a chair behind you, Prince," I said.

With extreme sullenness he took the seat indicated.

My impression of the man did not improve with further acquaintance.

For some little time we looked at each other in silence, he with looks
full of hatred and malicious curiosity, while I was quite frankly
interested in him.  I wondered how anyone could, by vice, so debase
himself, until his very being radiated nauseating vibrations; more
especially as he had thought one day to be a king, a person set on a
pinnacle for all to see, a leader and chief among men.

I found that, whenever his eyes met mine they turned aside, cold and
crafty.

"Prince," I said, "to you, no doubt, I am a very pernicious being, most
probably you loathe me with all your heart.  You think that I have
cheated you out of a throne, yet consider a moment, and you must see
that it is not so.  Ivan was never King, since I was alive; you were
never the heir.  I presume you will not deny that?"

"I do deny it.  You are an impostor, I know it."

"I am the King."

"By might, not right."

"By both, Prince: by right, on account of my birth which has been proved
without shadow of doubt; by might, because the people of Rudarlia loved
my father as much as they detested Ivan."

"Your proofs, what proofs have you?"

"That is the business of those who have them in their possession," I
replied.

"They will not satisfy me, however."

"What would?  Rudarlia?  You would not be King for a month; people do
not talk kindly of you, Prince, they liken you to Ivan, in your ways of
life."

"What are my ways of life to you?"

"Nothing, you have to answer for them yourself; but, if you had
succeeded in gaining the throne, they would have meant much, not only to
me but to all Rudarlians."

"You mean?"

"That there is only a certain amount of juice to be obtained from any
orange; Ivan sucked this one dry."

"Dry? not so dry that I could not have obtained more from it."

"I doubt if you could have obtained a penny. The people are ruined,
absolutely.  You would not have dared to tax the nobles, for you would
have made enemies of Ivan's friends."

"Well, I am in your power, Impostor; what do you intend?"

"You are in my power, you and your friends," I repeated this slowly and
emphatically, for I had seen a look in his eyes that I did not like, the
look of one who stores up malice for the future.  "I do not think you
would be regretted, whatever I decided to do, even by your friends in
Bornia, for instance."

He leant forward in his chair, and lowered his voice.

"See," he said, "let us understand each other. I know that you are an
impostor, just a pawn in Zeula's game.  I know you for the Englishman
who wounded Goltz; so why keep up the farce?  You will have to remain
King, of course, but there will be rare pickings.  Now, I can help you
if you consent to work with me.  This is what I propose: you must insist
on my having a good pension, and my debts paid.  I, on my part, will
keep mum about you, and accept you as my sovereign; I never wanted to be
King, but I want the money badly.  Who the devil would want to live in
Karena?  Not I for one.

"Another thing, I will give you some ideas for putting on the screw; a
friend of mine and I have worked out several ways, while awaiting Ivan's
death.  What do you say?"

I was too sick mentally to answer him, the callousness of his
proposition had almost numbed me. I was an impostor to him, and yet he
would sell what he fancied to be his birthright, for a pension and
payment of his debts.

I groaned inwardly at what would have happened to Rudarlia under his
rule, and yet I was inclined to let him unburden himself of these
schemes of taxation.  I fancy that my mind was fascinated by the
loathsomeness of his, almost like a rabbit in the presence of a snake.
I wished, however, to hear more, so, feigning an interest which
disgusted me, I pretended to think over what he had said; and then I too
leaned forward in my chair.

"You have interested me," I said, "in spite of your affirming that I am
an impostor; but you must let me know more of your ideas.  That is
essential, for you will not wish me to speak to and consult Zeula, will
you?"

I saw his evil face light up, and I read his thought: that I was willing
to be his tool.

"Is it likely that I should tell you, without security?" he asked, with
a twisted kind of smile.

"Why not?  Your ideas would be no use to me without your aid; if I
played you false, you could always expose me, couldn't you?  For, mind
you, it will be a dangerous game to play, Zeula is no fool."

"Bah!" he snapped his fingers, "that for Zeula.  He must do what we
want; he dare not let me expose the game, I have too much power."

"Of course," I said, and wondered what this power could be.  "And yet,
until I know how to raise the money, I don't see how I can act."

He pondered a moment, and then with an oath, burst out:

"Very well then, I will tell you, but, by God, if you play me
false!--but there, you dare not.  Now listen.  You and I must make
enough in ten years to satisfy us, as after that things will be
different, for this reason: Bornia."

"What has Bornia to do with it?"

"Everything.  I am much in request at the Court."  He chuckled.  "King
George has four daughters, and none of them married yet."  He looked at
me with a leer.

"Go on," I said, "tell me the plan."

"All in good time, Impostor, all in good time. Bornia wishes very much
to own Rudarlia."

"What?"

"Strange, isn't it?  Nevertheless a fact, and they want it without
fighting.  That is where we come in.  Every time an official dies or
vacates his post, you will fill it with one of my friends--they will be
naturalised, of course, to avoid detection--for each post so filled,
Bornia will pay.  Do you see?"

"Yes, yes, go on."

"We will work it, so that in ten years' time Rudarlia will be full of
Bornians, even the army. Then what I should have done, and what you will
have to do, is to abdicate.  Our officials will at once invite King
George to occupy the throne. There, that is the big scheme.  Now for
another. You did not know, perhaps, that there were minerals in this
country?  There are, but not in paying quantities, on Royal land too.
We will get some expert to boom the thing up to the skies; the nobles
and shopkeepers will invest, unwisely but well for us, eh?"

"Have you any more schemes?"

"That will do to commence with, Impostor; when we have things fixed up,
I'll tell you more."

"Have you more as good as the ones you have told me?"

"Oh, plenty.  Well, what do you say?"

"What do I say?" cried I, my temper getting the better of me.  "I say
that you are the biggest cur unhung, that you have the vilest mind that
ever man possessed, and that I feel disgusted with myself for ever
having even spoken to you.  You low brute, listen to me.  I am not an
impostor, whatever you may think; I am the son of Merlin I.  Hold your
tongue, or I'll forget that I am the King--silence, I say.  I had
proposed to pay your debts, to give you a pension, as you did no harm
yesterday, but now I tell you that not one penny do you get from me, you
cur."

I was standing over him; and he shrank back into his chair, his coward
lips quivering with fear.

"Your Majesty," he quavered.

"'Impostor' you called me a moment ago; you have changed quickly."

"I did not mean it, your Majesty."

"Good God!  Haven't you one redeeming feature, are you such a coward
too?"

He did not answer but looked at me imploringly.

"You need not be afraid, I won't touch you.  I hoped you would have one
manly attribute, but it appears you are absolutely despicable; you are
so low in all your thoughts that I almost pity you.  Is there any way in
which you could be helped to realise what a vile thing you are, I
wonder--I suppose not?"

He still sat white-faced and quivering, and made no answer.  As I looked
at him, I felt my loathing and disgust turn almost to compassion--he was
so hopeless, so contemptible.  My anger, too, had passed.

"How much do you owe?" I said.

"Eh?"

"How much do your debts amount to?"

The crafty look returned to his face, and with it a faint expression of
hope.

"My debts?"

"Yes, how much would cover them?"

"I don't quite know."

"You know perfectly, tell me at once."

"At least thirty thousand pounds.  It is the Jews--it was fear of them
that made me think of the plans I suggested to your Majesty."

"You need not lie to me."

"It's true," he said eagerly.  "They were pressing me hard, and I had to
plot and scheme to raise the money."

"And you thought that Rudarlia was yours to barter?"

"I could think of no other way, and I knew that Ivan had had his share."

"So you imagined you could finish her ruin. My God! how low you are.  I
suppose the thought of trying to put her on her feet again never entered
your head."

"I was to marry one of George's daughters, and then, of course, I should
have done what I could."

"She is well out of it; for I presume that, now, you will no longer be a
desirable match?"

"I suppose not."

Again I caught a crafty gleam in his eye.

"Prince Alexis," I said, "listen to me, you have a little, very little,
of the same blood as mine; for that reason alone, I intend to pay your
debts to the amount of thirty thousand, no more.  Had you shown one
spark of feeling for Rudarlia, I should have given you a pension.  As it
is, I shall not; but, that you may have a clean start, I will give you
another thirty thousand in addition.  Take my advice and invest it; try
and live decently and honourably."

He would have taken my hand in the extravagance of his joy; but I
avoided it.  It was one thing to give alms to a blood relation, but
another to take the hand of a vile cur such as he was.

I wrote then and there a cheque for the promised amount, and handed it
to him.

"You may refer your Semitic friends to me.  The sum of thirty thousand
will not be increased by a penny."

"And am I free to go when I will?" he asked.

"You will be escorted to the frontier, and will remain on the other
side.  Should you return under any circumstances, you will meet with
different treatment."

I rang the bell, and Colonel Woolgast appeared.

"You will conduct Prince Alexis to his room, Colonel, and return to me
as soon as possible."

I sat staring from the window waiting for his return.  I was uncertain,
in my mind, about the wisdom of the course I had adopted with Alexis.

He was capable of any villainy, any crime, but I had given him the money
with an object; I wished to gain time.  It ought to last him for a year
or eighteen months; and much could be done between now and then.

I had had suspicions before that Bornia had covetous designs with regard
to Rudarlia.

Well, we would see.  Thank God, my stepfather had made it possible for
me to do much, without fresh taxation.

I was just thinking of the degraded spectacle Prince Alexis was, almost
ashamed of myself for having allowed him even to suggest the things he
had, when I heard a woman's voice raised in altercation with the
guardsman outside the door.  To my amazement she spoke in English.

"I want to see His Majesty, I tell you."

I heard the sentry explain, in Rudarlian, that it was impossible for her
to have audience with me.

The next moment the door was flung open and in flew the owner of the
voice.  The sentry had evidently been fooled by a pretended retreat; and
had grasped a portion of her gown as she dashed past him.  Zip!
something had given way.

"Fancy treating a lady like that; it's a shame!"

It was as much as I could do to keep my face straight, as I signed to
the sentry to close the door.

The "lady" was examining the back part of her skirt with an angry
expression on her face, taking no notice of me whatever; but having
repaired the damage--presumably with pins--she looked round and saw me
standing near her.

"Lord, your Majesty!" she cried, dropping on her knees.

"You wished to speak to me, I believe."

"Yes, please your Majesty."

"Then supposing you take this seat, you will find it more comfortable
than the ground, I daresay."

"Thanks, your Majesty."

"Now tell me what it is I can do for you.  I only have a very few
minutes to spare."

She was a remarkably handsome woman, with a splendid figure.  I was
struck, too, by her pleasant smile.

"It's like this, you know, the late King took a fancy to me, and induced
me to come here to Karena."

"Wait a moment.  To begin with, who are you, and where do you come
from?"

"I was in the Polly-Doddy troupe; Eliza de Vere, I call myself.  It
isn't my real name, but it'll do. His Majesty saw me dancin', and made
my acquaintance. After a bit, I came along here, but the first thing I
know is that I find myself in a Palace and him lying dead, and I've lost
my job with the troupe, and gone dead broke except for the few things I
brought along with me.  Then I hear as there's a new King, so I think
I'll hop along and try to hook him, but I see your Majesty isn't one of
that sort, so all I want now is to get away.  God knows when I shall get
another job, don't suppose I ever shall, for I broke my contract to come
here."

She stopped, for want of breath, I imagine.

"Is that all you want?" I asked.

"Yes, thank your Majesty, if you'll give me the fare home I daresay I'll
do.  I can always get a livin'."

"What would you like best to do?" I asked, for I was sorry for this
frank, vulgar, beautiful creature.

"If I had my wish, I'd live in the country.  I was born on a farm, and
I'd love a little place with chickens and a pig or two; that's what I
thought I could get out of the old man, but he's gone."

"And supposing some one gave you that, would you be contented to live in
a quiet, decent way without longing to be in London or some big town?"

"Wouldn't I just?  It would be just heaven to get out of it all.  You
don't know what my life is, or you wouldn't ask."

I suppose I was foolish, but I was heart-sick at the thought of this
woman going headlong to the devil, as I have no doubt she would have
done.  So once more I wrote out a cheque; it was for a big enough sum
for her purpose, upon the interest of which she could live, marry
possibly, almost certainly, and rear splendid children, for England.  I
blotted the slip of paper and handed it to her, with some few pieces of
gold.

"Now," I said, "when you get to England take this to some bank and
explain to them what you want.  They will advise you and invest it for
you. Don't trust anyone else; personally, I should advise you to keep
silent about possessing it.  Marry some good man, and be happy, and
sometimes say a prayer for the King of Rudarlia."

She took the cheque, and wide-eyed, looked at it.

"Is this for me?" she whispered.  "You aren't kiddin' me, don't you want
anythin' for it?"

"No; nothing beyond what I have mentioned, a prayer, when you remember
it, that is all; and now I must say good-bye and good luck."

She seized my hand and wrung it.

"God bless your Majesty.  I'll pray for you night and morning, I will."
And then the poor girl burst into tears, sobbing as though her heart
would break.

It was at this juncture that Mr. Smith returned.

Still sobbing, "Eliza de Vere" left the room, taking no notice of the
indignant sentry.

"Your Majesty has the knack of making friends," Mr. Smith said, with a
smile.  "Her thanks and blessings were most impressive."

"Poor devil!" I said.  "Some of Ivan's beastliness, only with her the
worst effect was a broken contract, with the managers of some troupe of
dancers."

"And you put matters right immediately?"

"It was easily done."

"How much did it cost, Victor?"

"Nothing compared to a person's happiness."

He shrugged his shoulders, but humorously; and then once more became the
stern-faced man.

"And Prince Alexis?" he asked.

"Ah, in his case I have given him enough rope to last him a year or so,
at the end of which time I shall be quite happy to hang him."

"Ah!"

"I also paid for knowledge that will be of great value to us; we must
take great care to know everything about all the officials we appoint."

"Ah!"

"It is lucky that I am alive, or within ten years Rudarlia would have
been governed by George III of Bornia."

"Ah! so that was the scheme, was it?"

Colonel Woolgast was announced.

"Colonel, I want one of your officers to conduct Prince Alexis over the
frontier.  He must be one who can hear without hearing, and, speaking,
say nothing.  Above all he must be devoted to Rudarlia. Have you such a
man?"

"Captain von Essens, your Majesty."

"Very well, if you answer for him; I would have asked you to have
escorted the Prince, but it would have done him too much honour, to send
the Colonel of my Guards, and a General in my army. You will soon have
the pleasure of kissing my hand as I promised you."

"I would do it now, your Majesty."

"No, Colonel, we will stick to our arrangement."

"Shall I give Essens the order?"

"If you please, and, Colonel, there may be some officers under you who
deserve promotion.  Send me in their names, and it shall be seen to, for
I have no doubt that there will be vacancies before long in my Guards."

"It shall be done, your Majesty."




                              *CHAPTER IX*


The next few weeks were terrible ones for me; days full of anxiety, hard
work, and ceremonial.  I discovered that a King needs the strength of
two men, physically and mentally, in the first few weeks of his reign.

I had dismissed a great number of officials appointed by my predecessor,
for they were incompetent men, owing their positions to rank
favouritism; and for some time Rudarlia was governed by a provisional
Cabinet, composed of the great men of the state.

The hopeless confusion into which Ivan had plunged the finances of the
country was appalling.

There had been complete destruction of many valuable assets of wealth,
but chiefly the mischief had been done to agriculture, upon which a
great part of the population depended.  Taxes had been heaped upon the
people; first in the shape of a land tax, which had grown into a
ridiculous size; secondly the market tax, a peculiar piece of villainy,
since it mulcted both the buyer and the seller. Ivan, evidently, could
not be just, even in his injustice, for the poor man, with perhaps a
goat for sale, had to pay as much as the large farmer selling whole
herds of cattle.

One of my first acts was to abolish this iniquitous imposition
altogether; and a very small annual payment for market dues was charged
instead.

The money raised in this way was used locally, so that those who paid
received it back in the improvements of their locality.

I merely mention this tax as an example of Ivan's financial methods when
dealing with agriculture.

Enormous sums, for Rudarlia, had been raised, of which there was no
record dealing with their expenditure.  Presumably, therefore, they had
disappeared into the avaricious maw of Ivan.

When we examined the debit side of our accounts it was almost more
appalling.

The army had been paid, not regularly, but in dribblets.  As for
clothing, ammunition, etc., the stores had been depleted, and nothing
had been replaced.  The other services had been run in the same way,
without method or supervision.  The fraud and thieving practised by many
of the officials must have been terrific.

It is not my intention to give a long, detailed account of such matters,
although they are impressed on my mind.

                  

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