ulated Chauvenet.

As the buckboard started, Baron von Marhof and Judge Claiborne rode up,
and watched the departure from their saddles.

"That's the end of one chapter," remarked Judge Claiborne.

"They're glad enough to go," said Dick. "What's the latest word from
Vienna?"

"The conspirators were taken quietly; about one hundred arrests have been
made in all, and the Hungarian uprising has played out utterly--thanks to
Mr. John Armitage," and the Baron sighed and turned toward the bungalow.

When the two diplomats rode home half an hour later, it was with the
assurance that Armitage's condition was satisfactory.

"He is a hardy plant," said the surgeon, "and will pull through."

CHAPTER XXVIII

JOHN ARMITAGE

If so be, you can discover a mode of life more desirable than the being a
king, for those who shall be kings; then the true Ideal of the State will
become a possibility; but not otherwise.--Marius the Epicurean.

June roses overflowed the veranda rail of Baron von Marhof's cottage at
Storm Springs. The Ambassador and his friend and counsel, Judge Hilton
Claiborne, sat in a cool corner with a wicker table between them. The
representative of Austria-Hungary shook his glass with an impatience that
tinkled the ice cheerily.

"He's as obstinate as a mule!"

Judge Claiborne laughed at the Baron's vehemence.

"He comes by it honestly. I can imagine his father doing the same thing
under similar circumstances."

"What! This rot about democracy! This light tossing away of an honest
title, a respectable fortune! My dear sir, there is such a thing as
carrying democracy too far!"

"I suppose there is; but he's of age; he's a grown man. I don't see what
you're going to do about it."

"Neither do I! But think what he's putting aside. The boy's clever--he
has courage and brains, as we know; he could have position--the home
government is under immense obligations to him. A word from me to Vienna
and his services to the crown would be acknowledged in the most generous
fashion. And with his father's memory and reputation behind him--"

"But the idea of reward doesn't appeal to him. We canvassed that last
night."

"There's one thing I haven't dared to ask him: to take his own name--to
become Frederick Augustus von Stroebel, even if he doesn't want his
father's money or the title. Quite likely he will refuse that, too."

"It is possible. Most things seem possible with Armitage."

"It's simply providen