dy now to welcome the coming of a
richer race. Ughtred returned to the Town Hall, and knew that he had
done well.

On the steps he stopped short. He was face to face with the man whom,
more than any other, at that moment he desired to meet. It was Brand.

CHAPTER XXXIX

"At last," Brand exclaimed, with a gesture of relief. "I have been
looking for you everywhere."

Ughtred glanced round. They were surrounded by a considerable crowd.

"You have something important to say to me, Brand?"

"Yes."

Ughtred motioned to an orderly.

"Procure a fresh horse for Mr. Brand," he said. "You will ride back to
camp with me, Brand. We shall be away from this rabble then."

It was not until they were absolutely alone that Brand spoke.

"Your Majesty," he said, "Nicholas of Reist is a traitor."

The King turned in his saddle.

"I cannot believe that, my friend," he said. "Reist has quarrelled
with me personally, and has resigned his command in the army. But that
does not make him a traitor."

"Perhaps not," Brand answered, drily, "but association with Domiloff
does."

Ughtred started. His face and his tone alike gave evidence of his
unbelief. He even smiled.

"You are mistaken, my dear Brand," he said. "Reist is a patriot and a
nobleman. He would never stoop to league himself with such scum."

"I presume that my eyes are sufficient evidence," Brand answered,
quietly. "I myself saw Reist and Domiloff meet last night at a low
_cafe_ in Theos. I overheard part of their conversation."

The King's face was as the face of a man who has received a blow. For
a moment or two he remained silent.

"They may have met by accident," he said, at last, looking
half-fearfully towards Brand. "Domiloff may have proposed things to
Reist, but he would not listen, no, he surely would not listen."

"You are mistaken," Brand declared, grimly. "He met Domiloff by
appointment, and he listened with interest to all that he had to say."

"How do you know this, Brand?" the King asked.

"I have been watching the place for some time--and Domiloff. It ought
to be burned. It is a hotbed of treason and Russian intrigue. I saw
the meeting and heard part of the conversation. Unfortunately I was
discovered."

"You were discovered?" Ughtred repeated.

"And Domiloff put a bullet through my hat," Brand continued. "I
escaped, but it was a close thing. Since then I have had an
opportunity of appreciating how widespread have been Domiloff's
s