member. My wife, Countess of Radantz, and sole representative
of that ancient family, has been one all her life."

The Emperor inclined his head towards Lucille.

"I see no reason," he said, "when our capitals are riddled with secret
societies, all banded together against us, why the great families of
Europe should not in their turn come together and display a united front
against this common enemy. The Order of the Yellow Crayon has had more
than my support. It has had the sanction of my name. Tell me what you
have against it."

"I have grave things to say concerning it," Mr. Sahin answered, "and
concerning those who have wilfully deceived your Majesty. The influences
to be wielded by the society were mainly, I believe, wealth, education,
and influence. There was no mention made of murder, of an underground
alliance with the 'gamins' of Paris, the dregs of humanity, prisoners,
men skilled in the art of secret death."

The Emperor's tone was stern, almost harsh.

"Duc de Souspennier, what are these things which you are saying?" he
asked.

"Your Majesty, I speak the truth," Mr. Sabin answered firmly. "There
are in the Order of the Yellow Crayon three degrees of membership. The
first, which alone your Majesty knows of, simply corresponds with
what in England is known as the Primrose League. The second knows that
beneath is another organisation pledged to frustrate the advance of
socialism, if necessary by the use of their own weapons. The third,
whose meetings and signs and whose whole organisation is carried on
secretly, is allied in every capital in Europe with criminals and
murderers. With its great wealth it has influence in America as well
as in every city of the world where there are police to be suborned,
or desperate men to be bought for tools. At the direction of this third
order Lavinski died suddenly in the Hungarian House of Parliament,
Herr Krettingen was involved in a duel, the result of which was assured
beforehand, and Reginald Brott, the great English statesman, was ruined
and disgraced. I myself have just narrowly escaped death at his hands,
and in my place my servant has been driven to death. Of all these
things, your Majesty, I have brought proofs."

The Emperor's face was like a carven image, but his tone was cold and
terrible.

"If these things have been sanctioned," he said, "by those who are
responsible for my having become the head of the Order; they shall feel
my vengeance."

"Your Ma