e
strings."

"That's all right," Mr. Van Decht admitted, "but I should say that
you've a sort of a claim on England. You're half an Englishman,
anyway. You've fought her battles. She's big enough to give you a
lift."

"If help comes from anywhere," Ughtred answered, "it will come from
England. I have appealed to the Powers, and to England especially. Mr.
Ellis has already been here, and he is representing my case strongly."

Wine was brought in, and food. Ughtred ate little, but smoked a cigar.

"What's the next move?" Mr. Van Decht asked.

"Well, I am waiting now for news from Reist," the King said. "We are
in telegraphic communication with Solika, and I can get there on my
engine in an hour. So long as we can hold Solika we are safe, for I
do not think that we can possibly be outflanked. Our whole southern
frontier only extends for forty miles, and there are only two
practicable passes."

"Reist anything of a soldier?" Mr. Van Decht asked after a brief
silence.

"For this sort of work--excellent!" Ughtred answered.

"You trust him?"

"As myself. I never knew a man more devoted to his country. It is his
religion! Why do you ask?"

Van Decht took his cigar from his mouth and regarded it thoughtfully.

"Sara doesn't like him!"

The King laughed.

"He's no lady's man."

"Sara has instinct," her father remarked. "Can't say I take to him
myself. There's a kink in the man somewhere."

Ughtred smiled.

"Well, it isn't in his loyalty or his bravery," Ughtred answered. "He
is my best soldier, my most capable adviser, and I owe him my
kingdom."

Van Decht abandoned the subject.

"I'll get along," he said, rising. "Take my advice. Lie down a bit
till your message comes along. You're looking pretty bad."

Ughtred smiled.

"The first day of war," he said, "even on a small scale, is the most
wearing. Later on we shall take things more easily. Only you must
remember, sir, that it is for the liberty of an ancient kingdom we
fight, not only for our own lives, but for the happiness of unborn
generations. I would sooner see Theos blotted out forever from the map
of Europe and the memory of man than have her exist a vassal state of
Russia."

Mr. Van Decht departed in respectful silence. If tradition or
sentiment appealed to him but slightly, he knew an honest man by
instinct, and he was fast drifting into a very close sympathy with his
future son-in-law.

There came word from Reist within the hour. Ughtred