nares. My life has been attempted twice, and I have been misled by
forged letters as to your whereabouts. I have been to Althea and
Morania in search of you."

"And you heard some part of what passed between Domiloff and Reist?"

"Yes. Domiloff offered Reist the crown of Theos and Russian
intervention in the present war."

"And Russian protection afterwards, I suppose," Ughtred remarked,
bitterly.

"That is, of course, what is behind it all," Brand assented.

The face of the King grew stern and thoughtful. There was silence
between the two men for some time.

"If any other man had told me of this," Ughtred said at last, "frankly
I should not have believed them. It was Nicholas of Reist who was
always warning me of Russia and Russian intrigue. He seemed to read
Domiloff like a book."

"The quarrel which you spoke of between yourself and Reist," Brand
said, thoughtfully--"was it serious?"

"It was forced upon me," Ughtred answered. "The Countess most
unfortunately came to my room last night by the secret passage to warn
me against--well, Brand, I do not see why I should not be frank with
you--against an alliance with Sara Van Decht."

"She came--of her own will--without any suggestion from you?" Brand
asked.

"Of course!" Ughtred answered. "I may not be a model of etiquette,
but I should never dream of soliciting, of welcoming an interview
from even so old a friend as the Countess of Reist under such
circumstances. Well, in the midst of our conversation, which I was
doing my best to curtail, her brother arrived unexpectedly from Solika
and found us together. He chose to consider her presence in my room
compromising, and demanded that I should marry her. After that--chaos.
As I told you, Reist has given up his command and deserted me. I
believe that I have promised to fight him after the war is over."

"And the Countess?" Brand asked.

The King smiled bitterly.

"She too seems to be my enemy, though why I cannot imagine. She, at
any rate, can bear no ill-will to me over that unfortunate affair of
the betrothal cup, for she has told me plainly that she loves another
man."

Brand's horse seemed to stumble, and his face was invisible for a
moment as he stooped down to pat her neck. When he looked up there was
a curious gleam in his eyes.

"Your Majesty," he said, "I am very sorry that this has happened. I
believe that Domiloff is working very hard to induce the Duke of Reist
to join in his plot against yo