"Miss Van Decht," he said, "it isn"t altogether a prospect of fairyland. There are many things to be given up. There are many things which a man may possess but a King can only covet. I have become somewhat of a Bohemian in my wanderings, and my freedom is very dear to me. Yet I think that I am doing right in making this attempt. I love Theos, and it will be a joy to fight her battles. I love the old city and the mountains and the wild country. I may not be a patriot like Nicholas of Reist, but the old war music seems to leap and burn in my blood when I think of the Turks creeping nearer and nearer to the frontier, and our ancient city full of foreign spies, gathered together like carrion birds before the ma.s.sacre. It is intolerable!"
She was thoughtful and sympathetic.
"Yes," she said, softly; "it is right that you should feel like that.
Ours is a new country, and there is nothing about her beautiful or historic. Yet, if she were in danger--oh, yes, I understand. You are right to go. May you be successful!"
A crash of martial music from the band filled the air with ringing melody, and for a moment they sat silent. Ughtred took up his as yet unlit cigarette, and Sara sipped her coffee. Around them were little groups of men and brilliantly-dressed women. The pleasant hum of conversation and light laughter came to them with something of an inspiring ring. Down the broad promenade two men were walking. Sara touched her companion on the arm with her fan.
"Look!" she whispered.
Ughtred recognized Ha.s.sen with a frown, and his companion with a sudden thrill of interest. They were coming slowly down from the restaurant, talking earnestly together, and by the side of the tall, distinguished-looking man, who was listening to him with so inscrutable a countenance, Ha.s.sen appeared almost insignificant.
Nicholas of Reist, who had moved from his chair to fetch an evening paper, met them face to face. He would have pa.s.sed on with a contemptuous glance at Ha.s.sen, but that the older man turned and accosted him with grave yet pleasant courtesy.
"The Duke of Reist is far from home! This is indeed a surprising meeting."
Reist started as he recognized the speaker. He cast a single lightning-like glance at Ha.s.sen, who lingered by.
"It is as welcome as surprising," Reist answered, quietly. "I had promised myself the pleasure of paying my respects at the Emba.s.sy to-morrow."
"You will not, I trust, let anything interfere with so amiable an intention," was the suave reply. "You and I should have much to say to each other, Reist. You have a vacant chair here, I see. Will you allow me to take my coffee with you?"
"I shall be much honoured," Reist answered, quietly. "As you say, there is much which we might discuss. Will you permit me to introduce you to my friends?"
The faintest indication of surprise was followed by a murmur of delighted a.s.sent. Ha.s.sen, perplexed and white with anger, moved away.
The two men threaded the little maze of chairs and palm trees and women"s skirts, and reached the corner where Sara and Ughtred sat.
Reist gravely performed the introduction.
"Miss Van Decht, will you allow me to present to you the Prince Alexis of Ollendirk, Miss Van Decht--Mr. Van Decht. Ughtred, I am sure you two should know one another. Prince Alexis of Ollendirk, Ughtred of Tyrnaus."
The Prince, who had bowed low and gracefully to Sara, held out his hand frankly to Ughtred.
"To number Tyrnaus amongst one"s acquaintances," he said, "has been an honour for centuries. I knew your father, Prince Ughtred. His Majesty was always very good to me. The Gold Star of Theos is amongst the most treasured of my possessions."
More coffee was ordered by Mr. Van Decht, and cigarettes. A measured and somewhat curious conversation followed. The Russian Amba.s.sador talked to Sara chiefly. Ughtred seemed to interest him only as a pleasantly-met acquaintance. They exchanged views on Paris and Vienna, and Prince Alexis pleaded eloquently for the charms of his own city.
With consummate skill he led the conversation to Theos.
"The most picturesque country in Europe," he declared, "to-day I fear the most unfortunate. You see, Mr. Van Decht," he continued, turning towards him, "it is not always that a great country can exist and be developed upon democratic principles. Theos, under the royal House of Tyrnaus, had at least a recognized place amongst the European States.
To-day she has lost it. Of her future--no man can speak with certainty."
The Russian leaned back and lit a cigarette. Yet Reist felt that he was being watched by those half-closed, sleepy eyes. He leaned a little forward and lowered his voice.
"I am a man of Theos, bred and born," he said, slowly, "and the future of my country is as my own future. I am not in this b.a.s.t.a.r.d government, as you doubtless know, Prince Alexis, but I have the confidence of the people. They have come to me for counsel, they have asked me how best they can secure their continued independence. It is a great emergency this, and since we have met here I am venturing to ask for your advice. You have a precise knowledge of the situation, you know the country, the people, our environment. How best do you think that I could answer them?"
The Russian smoked thoughtfully for a moment. In the little clouds of blue smoke which hung about his head he seemed to be seeking for inspiration. Was this simplicity, he wondered, or had Reist indeed a hidden purpose in seeking to make him declare himself?
"It is not an easy question which you ask, my friend," he answered at last. "Yet, after all, I doubt whether more than one course is open to those who would direct the destinies of your country. Theos is a weak State hemmed in by powerful ones. She is to-day the certain prey of whomever might stretch out his hand--even her ancient enemy the Turk.
So, after all, it is not difficult to offer you good advice. I would say to you this: Let her seek out the strongest, the most generous of those environing Powers, and say to her frankly, "Give me your protection," and I believe that for the sake of peace her prayer would be promptly answered."
Reist was silent. Ughtred, who had been listening intently, interposed.
"The advice," he said, "sounds well, but it seems to me to have one weak point. It is her independence which Theos seeks above all things to retain. The protection of any one Power must surely jeopardize this."
"By no means," Prince Alexis answered, blandly. "Let us take my own country for example. Russia is great enough and generous enough to befriend a weakened state without any question of a _quid pro quo_. A love of peace is the one great pa.s.sion which sways my master in all his dealings. For the sake of it he would do more even than this."
"The Czar does not stand alone," Reist remarked, thoughtfully. "He has many advisers."
"To whom he listens," Prince Alexis answered, "when it pleases him. It is said in this country, yes, and in others, that the Czar is a puppet. We who know only smile. For, my dear Reist, it is true that there has not reigned in Europe for many years a greater autocrat than he who sits on the throne of Russia to-day. But to return to the subject of Theos. Your danger seems to me to lie here. Supposing that the present state of disquiet continues, or any form of government be set up which does not seem to promise permanent stability. Then it is very likely that those stronger countries by whom Theos is surrounded may, in the general interests of peace, deem it their duty to interfere."
"Theos," Reist said, proudly, "is not yet a moribund State. She has an army, and at the first hint of invasion all political differences would cease."
Prince Alexis smiled, and raised his tiny gla.s.s of liqueur.
"Floreat Theos!" he said, lightly. "Long may she continue to retain her independence--and to know her friends."
They all raised their gla.s.ses. From Reist came a whisper, little more than a breath--
"Long live the King!"
CHAPTER VII
Prince Alexis made the toast the signal for his departure, murmuring something about a diplomatic reception which his duty forbade him to ignore. In the lobby Ha.s.sen brushed up against him.
"A word with your Highness outside," he murmured.
The Amba.s.sador signified a.s.sent by a scarcely-noticeable gesture. He lit a cigarette and leisurely b.u.t.toned his fur coat. A swift glance towards the little party in the corner showed him that Reist was missing.
"You had better slip into my carriage quietly," he said to Ha.s.sen.
"Our good friend the Duke of Reist is on the lookout somewhere, and it would be better that he did not see us together."
Ha.s.sen nodded, and preceded the Amba.s.sador, who lingered to speak to some acquaintance. In a few moments he followed, pausing with his foot upon the carriage steps as though to re-light his cigarette. He looked quickly up and down the pavement. At the corner of Pall Mall and the Haymarket a man was standing with his face half turned in their direction. He shrugged his shoulders and entered the carriage.
"The Duke of Reist is interested," he remarked to Ha.s.sen. "Come, my friend, what have you to say?"
"First of all, then," Ha.s.sen began, "your bribe to Metzger was large, but you will never get your money"s worth. You have worked hard for the political disruption of Theos. It may chance that you have failed utterly."
The Amba.s.sador nodded pleasantly.
"Possibly," he admitted. "I do not quite follow you, though. Metzger has been chased from the country. There is no government, no law, no order. The Powers cannot permit this to continue. A protectorship will be proposed within a week."
"It will be four days too late," Ha.s.sen answered. "In less time than that Theos will occupy a stronger position politically than ever before."
"You surprise me," the Amba.s.sador admitted, politely.
"Do you think that the Duke of Reist is the sort of man to be dining at London restaurants whilst his country bleeds to death!" Ha.s.sen exclaimed. "Bah! His presence here with Ughtred of Tyrnaus to-night is no chance affair. There is a deep scheme on, and broadly I have fathomed it."