I will not, hey?'

'M. Selpdorf will assure you that it is necessary in the case of
discipline,' urged Sagan with a lowering look.

'And I will assure M. Selpdorf that I am accustomed to make up my own
mind! You know it already, Selpdorf!'

'I have always known it, sire,' said the supple Chancellor.

'You will hear my reasons?' asked Sagan angrily.

The Duke nodded.

'Captain Rallywood was guilty of gross disobedience of orders. His case
has been laid before a court-martial of his brother officers, and he has
been condemned to be shot. The trial has been conducted with justice.'

'What were Captain Rallywood's orders, then?'

'He was ordered to carry certain dispatches to the Chancellor, but he
carried them elsewhere for his own purposes.'

The Duke nodded slowly and half closed his eyes. He remembered a certain
damp morning by the river, when Rallywood had ridden to take orders from
Selpdorf.

'So you are in this also, Selpdorf?' he said. 'What despatches were
these? Pray tell me frankly. I believe I know something already.'

'Despatches sent to me from the Frontier, sire.'

'Which he failed to bring to you. Where then did he take them?'

The delay and the persistent unexpected questioning of the Duke
irritated Sagan almost beyond endurance. He struck in.

'Sire, does it matter what he did with them, as we have proof that he
disobeyed orders? That is the point--what need to ask further?' Then, as
the Duke still shook his head, he burst out, 'Well, then, he carried
them to the British Legation--to his own countrymen, mind you. He was
false to his oath as a soldier! He must be shot!'

Gustave of Maasau was a man who lied much and often, as those of poor
moral calibre will. He lied now with zest.

'So? Although Captain Rallywood acted under my personal instructions,
Simon?' he said quietly.

Sagan sprang to his feet.

'Yes,' resumed the Duke, warming to his _role_. 'Yes, he acted under my
orders, for the despatches were connected with the agreement I have
within the last hour signed with England, and about which the first
proposals were laid before me at midnight by the British Envoy during my
visit to your Castle!'

'What?' shouted Sagan, as his house of cards fell about him. 'You lie,
Gustave! And Germany? Selpdorf, we hold your promises! It is impossible
to think this to be true?'

'It is true,' said the Chancellor. 'I beg you will recollect that his
Highness is present, my lord. This exciteme