mportance took place in
the palace. The first was a cabinet council in the hall; the other a
meeting of conspirators in the back-kitchen. Both were brief, for each
was interrupted. We will take the cabinet council first.

The ministers present at it were the premier, Dominick and Dr Marsh,
both of whom Joe had called to his aid.

"Now, my dear queen," said the premier, "we have met to consider the
constitution; but before saying a word about it myself, I would like to
hear what your majesty has to say about it."

"I'm not sure," said the queen gravely, "that I have the faintest notion
as to how a constitution should begin or end. But I will give you a
motto to set in the forefront of our constitution, which may also form
the foundation on which it is to be built--the pattern to which its
parts must conform. It is this: `Whatsoever ye would that men should do
to you, do ye even so to them.'"

"I will set that down with pleasure," said Dominick, who acted as clerk,
but, before he could write a line, a knock at the door interrupted them.
Then the door opened, and Otto's head appeared with eagerness in the
eyes, and a beckoning hand in advance.

Dominick rose and went out.

"I've just overheard Morris and Jabez in the back-kitchen making an
appointment. Shall I tell our squad to be ready?"

"Where is the appointed place?" asked Dominick.

"On the reef. They start this very night, for the wind suits, and I
heard Hugh say that all was ready."

"Good! I didn't think the game was so nearly played out. Well for us
that we are prepared. Yes, call up the squad. We'll give them
checkmate to-night."

It must be explained here that ever since the night of the discovery of
the plot organised by Morris to seize and carry off the wrecked ship,
Otto and his brother had kept a close watch on the men, and were aware
of all their plans and intended movements. They had also communicated
their knowledge to a select few, whom Otto styled the squad, who had
pledged themselves to be ready at a moment's notice to do their best to
circumvent the conspirators. Among other things Otto had discovered
that Malines had agreed to join them, professing himself quite willing
to act as second in command under Morris.

It may also be explained that though we have hitherto spoken of the
vessel which had been cast on the reef as a wreck, it was in reality
very slightly injured about the hull, and much of the damage done to the
spars