peak first to the
people with Domiloff at your elbow, but if it comes to a matter of
life or death you must do it. I will send servants and horses to
hasten my brother's coming, and you must continue the personation."

"There is an objection," he replied, quickly. "I do not know a single
word of your language, and to speak for the first time to the people
in any other would do the Prince a great injury with them."

She reflected for a moment. Then her face lit up. She pointed down the
passage.

"I think," she said, "that it would be a very good time for Prince
Ughtred to disappear. You shall come with me."

Brand hesitated.

"But, Countess," he protested, "they will search your house. You will
be accused of harbouring an impostor."

She dismissed the idea with a gesture of superb contempt.

"The Reist House," she assured him, "is secure against Domiloff or any
of his creatures. I offer you its shelter, sir. I beg you to come with
me."

Still he hesitated. A fresh murmur arose from the swelling crowd
without--footsteps were heard in the corridor--the hour struck. She
laid her fingers upon his arm, and looked upward into his face.

"Sir," she said, softly, "I beg that you will come with me."

Brand felt his heart beating with more than the mere excitement of the
moment. He yielded. She pressed a spring with her finger, and the
panel rolled slowly back into its place.

CHAPTER XIII

Up the steep ascent to the capital two men galloped their tired horses
in stern silence. For twelve hours they had ridden with scant waste of
breath in speech. Only at each change, and seven times since break of
day, had they changed horses. Prince Ughtred had lit a fresh cigar and
asked the same question and met with the same reply.

"How goes it, Nicholas?"

"We keep up with the time. Forward!"

As they neared the capital they rode through a stream of people
wending their way citywards. Reist drew rein.

"Whither away, friends?"

"To the capital, sir. Prince Ughtred of Tyrnaus, our future King, is
there. We go to greet him."

The two men exchanged quick glances as they rode on.

"I do not understand it," Reist admitted. "Our coming is unannounced.
A certain amount of secrecy was necessary. Something strange seems to
have happened."

By degrees their progress along the narrow road grew more and more
difficult. The country folk thronged the thoroughfare, gay in
picturesque holiday attire, many of them singing