people here.
I wish they could know it. Some of these poor wounded soldiers look at
me as if I were their enemy. Why, it is terrible."

He smiled reassuringly.

"When the war is over we will talk of this seriously," he answered.
"Listen."

He threw up the blind. It was still dark and apparently raining, but
away eastwards there was a break in the clouds, and the stars were
paler. In the courtyard below a carriage was waiting. He dropped the
blind hastily, picked up his cloak.

"I must go, Sara," he declared. "Wish me luck, dear."

She clung to him with suddenly swimming eyes. Her lips trembled--her
face was very wistful.

"Oh, my dear! My dear," she cried, softly, "if only I could bring you
luck. If only I could be your mascotte."

He laughed cheerily. His arms were around her, and she was comforted.

"There is no better mascotte for a man in this world," he declared,
"than the touch of the woman he loves. Send me back to the front,
dear, with your kisses upon my lips and the sound of your voice in my
ears, and I promise you that you shall hear great news."

When Ughtred passed out a few minutes later a rumour went through the
palace that good news had come. For the King held his head high, and
his eyes were as the eyes of a man who goes forth to victory looking
upon pleasant things.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Throughout the night there was little attempt at sleep in the Thetian
camp. Long lines of men, relieved every two hours that they might work
at the utmost speed, were busy in the valley digging entrenchments.
Guns were being dragged up to the heights and signalling stations
fixed. With dawn came a proclamation from the King freely issued about
the camp.

"Men of Theos and Soldiers of the Thetian Army.

"The thanks of the State are due to you for your brave fight
yesterday, you and your gallant leaders. I am glad to tell
you that at Althea Pass and Morania the enemy were also
repulsed with great loss. So far then the fighting has gone
wholly in our favour. Let us thank God, who has strengthened
the arm of those whose cause is just, who resist an
unwarranted and iniquitous invasion of their native land.

"The precautions which have been taken to guard against this
act of brigandage encourage us to hope for success. We are
not taken unawares. Since my accession to the throne of my
ancestors I have, as you know, devoted every effort to