besides Domiloff," she said, "if
what they are saying is true."

A deeper shadow fell upon the King's face.

"You mean the Reists?"

"It is common report."

"Nicholas of Reist has withdrawn his allegiance to me," Ughtred said.
"Yet I do not believe that he would be concerned in anything
absolutely traitorous. As for the Countess--I fear that I have
incurred her ill-will. She is friendly too, they say, with Domiloff. I
cannot see though what mischief she can do. Ruttens," he added,
turning towards the door, "are there sufficient police left in Theos
to effect the arrest of one man?"

Ruttens, grey-bearded, long since a pensioner, saluted the King
respectfully.

"Your Majesty," he answered, "it depends upon the man."

"The man is Baron Domiloff!"

Ruttens shook his head.

"Your Majesty," he said, "we can make the attempt. Yesterday it would
have been possible enough. But last night half the veterans and
weaklings who have been enrolled as special police deserted."

"Deserted!" the King exclaimed, frowning.

Ruttens smiled.

"Deserted in order to make their way to the front, your Majesty. Old
Kennestoff, who is eighty years old, got out his rifle and went, and a
dozen more well nigh his age. I myself----"

He hesitated. The King's face had cleared.

"You had my orders, Ruttens, and my special commission. A few good men
we must have in Theos."

"There are rascals enough, your Majesty," Ruttens said, with grave
face. "There are a good many aliens, too, whose presence here I cannot
understand. They pay their way, and hang round the squares in little
groups, always whispering to themselves. They call themselves farmers
and shopkeepers from the frontier, but there is little of the Thetian
in their faces to my mind. The city were healthier cleared of them,
your Majesty."

The King smiled bitterly.

"But how, my good Ruttens?" he exclaimed. "You and your few veterans
would be powerless against them."

Ruttens sighed.

"It is true, your Majesty," he answered. "To be frank, I have put them
down in my mind as creatures of Domiloff. And though to-day I will
endeavour to effect his arrest I fear very much that he is well
guarded against anything of the sort."

Once more the courtyard rang with the clatter of hoofs. There was
commotion below and in the palace.

"It is word from the front," the King cried.

The messenger stood before him.

"Your Majesty," he announced, "General Dartnoff has telegraphed t