ights for his life and wins the fray?"

"What are four such curs against you? I should have brought a dozen. Yet
it was at me you struck. Whate'er they did I ordered them to do."

"Had I known it, Augusta, I would never have drawn sword, who am your
officer and obedient to the end."

"Nay, you'd stab me with your tongue, not with your sword," she answered
with something like a sob. "You say you are my obedient officer. Well,
now we will see. Smite me that bold-faced baggage dead, or smite _me_
dead, I care not which, then fall upon your sword."

"The first I cannot do, Augusta, for it would be murder against one who
has done no wrong, and I will not stain my soul with murder."

"Done no wrong! Has she not mocked me, my years, my widowhood, yes, and
even my hair, in the pride of her--her youth, me, the Empress of the
World?"

Now Heliodore spoke for the first time.

"And has not the Empress of the World called a poor maid of blood as
noble as her own by shameful names?" she asked.

"For the second," I went on before Irene could answer, "I cannot do that
either, for it would be foul treason as well as murder to lift my sword
against your anointed Majesty. But as for the third, as is my duty, that
I will do--or rather suffer your servants to do--if it pleases you to
repeat the order later when you are calm."

"What!" cried Heliodore, "would you go and leave me here? Then, Olaf,
by the gods my forefathers worshipped for ten thousand years, and by
the gods I worship, I'll find a means to follow you within an hour. Oh!
Empress of the World, there is another world you do not rule, and there
we'll call you to account."

Now Irene stared at Heliodore, and Heliodore stared back at her, and the
sight was very strange.

"At least you have spirit, girl. But think not that shall save you, for
there's no room for both of us on earth."

"If I go it may prove wide enough, Augusta," I broke in.

"Nay, you shall not go, Olaf, at least not yet. My orders are that
you do _not_ fall upon your sword. As for this Egyptian witch, well,
presently my people will be here; then we will see."

Now I drew Heliodore to the trunk of the great tree which stood near by
and set myself in front of her.

"What are you about to do?" asked the Empress.

"I am about to fight your eastern curs until I fall, for no northern man
will lift a sword against me, even on your orders, Augusta. When I am
down, this lady must play her own part as God s