asing the flying Turks
through a difficult country, were suddenly met by an unexpected rally,
and stretching on both sides of them like a gigantic crescent was a
great army of reinforcements. With great skill Ughtred had extricated
his army, and regained the shelter of Solika. But the joy of their
victory was damped. The enemy were in strength which seemed absolutely
overwhelming.

Towards afternoon there came shouts from the railway station. Through
the crowd, which gave him clear passage, cheering vigorously, Ughtred
was driven towards the palace. He looked pale and dishevelled, and
his uniform showed that he had not been an idle spectator of the
fighting. He waved his hand affectionately to the crowd, but was
clearly preoccupied. At the palace he sent for his State Secretary and
Mr. Thexis, the leader of the Government party in the House of Laws.
An informal Council meeting was summoned, and hastily attended by the
leading members of the House.

* * * * *

An hour afterwards Sara was summoned from the midst of her work at the
hospital by an urgent note. At the Villa she found Ughtred waiting for
her.

"You," she cried, softly. "How dare you fetch me away from my work?"

Then, as a clearer impression of his appearance came to her, standing
in the white noonday sunshine, she became anxious.

"You are not hurt?" she cried. "Nothing has gone amiss?"

He tightened his clasp upon her hands.

"Hurt, no! I took too great care of myself. We have won our first
battle, too, Sara. My men fought splendidly."

She nodded.

"At the hospital," she said, "even the badly wounded are full of
enthusiasm. Tell me! You have more news, have you not?"

He nodded.

"We crossed the border in pursuit," he said, "and we saw with our own
eyes what the scouts who are coming in continually report. The whole
of the Turkish army has been mobilized, and is being massed upon our
borders. That is to say, two hundred thousand of the finest soldiers
in the world are almost at our gates. All told, we number sixteen
thousand."

The tears stood in her eyes. She pressed his hands silently.

"I'm afraid I don't understand these things," she said, "but an
unprovoked attack like this seems like a return to ancient history. It
is barbarous. Can you not appeal to the Powers?"

"That I have done," he answered, sadly, "but you must remember that
this is the fruit of Russia's intrigue. Turkey is only a catspaw. She