the carriage.

"The Duke of Reist is interested," he remarked to Hassen. "Come, my
friend, what have you to say?"

"First of all, then," Hassen began, "your bribe to Metzger was large,
but you will never get your money's worth. You have worked hard for
the political disruption of Theos. It may chance that you have failed
utterly."

The Ambassador nodded pleasantly.

"Possibly," he admitted. "I do not quite follow you, though. Metzger
has been chased from the country. There is no government, no law, no
order. The Powers cannot permit this to continue. A protectorship will
be proposed within a week."

"It will be four days too late," Hassen answered. "In less time than
that Theos will occupy a stronger position politically than ever
before."

"You surprise me," the Ambassador admitted, politely.

"Do you think that the Duke of Reist is the sort of man to be dining
at London restaurants whilst his country bleeds to death!" Hassen
exclaimed. "Bah! His presence here with Ughtred of Tyrnaus to-night is
no chance affair. There is a deep scheme on, and broadly I have
fathomed it."

"Yes?"

"Theos has had enough of Republics. She is going to try a King. It is
Reist himself who put the idea into their heads. He has come as the
envoy of the people to Ughtred of Tyrnaus."

"That," the Ambassador remarked, "will not do at all."

"You think so, knowing nothing of Ughtred of Tyrnaus. I know him well,
and if you wish Theos to become a Russian province he is the very man
in Europe to baulk you. He is brave, shrewd, patriotic, and a fine
soldier. If he ever reaches Theos the people will worship him. He will
make order out of chaos. He will hold the reins and he will be proof
against the wiles of your agents. Short of absolute force you will not
be able to dislodge him."

"He must not reach Theos," the Ambassador said, thoughtfully. "The
man's very physique will win him the throne ... and I believe that you
are right. The House of Tyrnaus has never been friendly towards
Russia. What will your master say, Hassen?"

The man smiled grimly.

"Do we want a soldier King in Theos?" he asked, "when our soldiers are
creeping northwards to the Balkans day by day? You are ready to seize
by intrigue and by stealth--we are preparing to strike a blow of
another sort."

The Ambassador smiled. The Turkish soldiers were brave enough, but in
Constantinople at that moment was a Russian envoy on secret business,
who had very definite in