them."

He shook his head sadly.

"You are being deceived," he said. "There is only one man who can
save this country, and that man is Ughtred of Tyrnaus. He is
honest--Domiloff is a rogue. These schemes of his have but one
possible ending, and that is slavery for Theos--the total loss of her
independence. Oh, it is all so plain, Marie--Domiloff's wiles are so
transparent. Let me see your brother and reconcile him to the King."

"It is too late," she answered. "It is impossible."

"I have come here with a message from the King to him," he declared.
"I must at least deliver it."

Her eyes gleamed with passion. Suddenly she threw her arms around his
neck.

"You are very foolish, and I don't know why I should care for you,"
she cried, "but I do, I do! Listen. This is not your country. You are
not a Thetian subject; the King has no claim upon you. If you will not
help us, go away until it is all over. You can easily do that. Go away
and wait. I will send for you when it is all over. You will see then
that I was right. No! you must not kiss me any more, dear. You must do
as I say. Listen!"

She sprang away from him. There were footsteps in the corridor
outside. Her face was ashen, a look of terror flashed in her eyes.

"They have found you out," she cried. "It is Domiloff and his men.
Heaven help us!"

CHAPTER XLI

But, after all, it was only Nicholas of Reist who entered. He closed
the door behind him carefully, and approached them. Brand stepped
forward.

"I have a message for you," he said.

Reist smiled.

"A message which it seems you found necessary to deliver to my
sister," he remarked. "I have not been informed of your desire to see
me."

"I should not have left the house without doing so," Brand answered.
"My message is from the King."

"Proceed."

Reist stood motionless before the window. In the clear daylight the
physical change in the man was painful enough to witness. The flesh
had fallen away from his cheeks, leaving great hollows underneath his
eyes. His forehead was furrowed with lines, his pallor was unnatural
and unwholesome. Brand saw these things, and wondered more than ever
how the defection of such a man could have been brought about.

"The King bade me seek you out and remind you that in all human
probability before to-morrow's sun has set the great battle will have
been fought. The Turks are concentrating before Solika, and it is
there that we shall fight. Your men are