ost awe-inspiring while his men landed, six of them, all
armed. Then he tramped up the steps. He halted for a minute on the
terrace where the flagstaff was. He gave an order. One of his men drew
a knife from a sheath and cut the flag halyard. The Stars and Stripes
crumpled up and fluttered down the wind.

Gorman turned to the Queen again.

"Your flag's gone," he said. "Von Moll appears to be in a bit of a
temper."

Then he stepped out of the hall and went forward down the path. He
held out his hand to von Moll.

"How are you?" he said. "Perfectly beastly day, isn't it? Any news?"

Von Moll marched on, taking no notice whatever of his friendly
greeting. Gorman, smiling pleasantly, followed him towards the hall.

"Been in any more naval battles since we last met?" said Gorman. "By
the way, was there any fuss when you got home about that man's teeth?"

Von Moll stalked into the hall. Gorman followed him.

"It's no use your pretending not to understand English," he said. "You
talked it splendidly last time you were here."

Von Moll made no pretence at politeness. He did not even salute the
Queen. He looked round him with an insolent glare. Konrad Karl hurried
through the door at the far end of the hall and took his place at the
Queen's side. He had a lighted cigarette in his hand. It could not be
said of him that he was frightened; but he was certainly excited. He
fidgeted nervously with his moustache and his eyes were unusually
bright. Von Moll watched him for a minute and then spoke.

"King Konrad Karl," he said, "you will consider yourself under arrest
and be prepared to follow me on board."

The King gave a little twist to his moustache.

"By whose authority do you give these orders?" he said.

"The Emperor's."

Von Moll clicked his heels together and saluted as he spoke. King
Konrad Karl shrugged his shoulders. Gorman, determined not to be
ignored this time, took von Moll by the arm.

"I say, von Moll," he said. "After the frightfully impressive way you
said that, we ought to have some sort of demonstration. Let's drink
the old boy's health and say 'Hoch!' or whatever the proper thing is.
I'm sure you must want a drink, and those swashbucklers of yours"--he
looked round at von Moll's six men--"could hold hands and sing
'_Deutschland ueber Alles_.' It would cheer us all up."

The Queen looked at von Moll in amazement. Then she glanced at Konrad
Karl. While Gorman was speaking she made up her mind to a