them now."

"You shall have an aeroplane factory," said Sir Bartholomew, "two in
fact. I think I may safely promise two--and shells--would your people
care for making shells?"

The plan worked out exceedingly well. The pendant which Madame Ypsilante
received was very handsome. It contained fourteen stones of unusual
size set in circles of small diamonds. She was delighted, and thoroughly
understood what was expected of her. A Government engineer went down to
Upper Offaly, and secured, at enormous expense, sites for three large
factories. The men who leased the land were greatly pleased, everyone
else looked forward to a period of employment at very high wages, and
Gorman became very popular even among the extreme Sinn Feiners. Sir
Bartholomew Bland-Potterton went about London, purring with satisfaction
like a large cat, and promising sensational events in the Near East
which would rapidly bring the war to an end. Only King Konrad Karl was a
little sad.

"Gorman, my friend," he said, "I go back to that thrice damned country
and I die. They will hang me by the neck until I am dead as a door mat."

"They may not," said Gorman. "You can't be certain."

"You do not know Megalia," said the king. "It is sure, Gorman, what you
would call a dead shirt. But Corinne, my beloved Corinne, says 'Go. Be
a king once more.' And I--I am a blackguard, Gorman. I know it. I am
not respectable. I know it. But I am a lover. I am capable of a great
passion. I wave my hand. I smile. I kiss Corinne. I face the tune of
the band. I say 'Behold, damn it, and Great Scott!--at the bidding of
Corinne, I die.'"

"If I were you," said Gorman, "I'd conscript every able-bodied man in
the country directly I got there and put the entire lot into a front
line trench. There won't be anyone left to assassinate you then."

"Alas! There are the Generals and the Staff. It is not possible, Gorman,
even in Megalia, to put the Staff into a trench, and that is enough. One
General only and his Staff. They come to the palace. They say 'In the
name of the Republic, so that the world may be safe for democracy--' and
then--! There is a rope. There is a flag staff. I float in the air. They
cheer. I am dead. I know it. But it is for Corinne. Good."

It was in this mood of chivalrous high romance that the king received
Sir Bartholomew Bland-Potterton. Gorman was present during the
interview. He had made a special effort, postponing an important
engagement, in order