The Traitors Part 18

"To Theos and her King," Reist said, gravely. "This is our ancient toast. May her sons be ever brave, her rulers wise, and her soil fruitful! G.o.d save the King!"

They drank together. Marie stood at the head of the table, her dark eyes full of silent fires, her fingers nervously twitching. Ughtred turned towards her.

"You, too," he said, "must drink with us. Nay, I will have no refusal.

You will honour me."

He held his cup towards her. She shook her head.

"Not from the King's cup," she said. "See, I have a goblet here."

But Ughtred was insistent.

"I have the weakness of my forefathers," he declared, "and I am superst.i.tious. It will be for my good fortune, and the good fortune of Theos. You shall drink with me from the King's cup."

A spot of colour burned in the girl's cheeks. She drew back. A swift glance pa.s.sed between brother and sister. It was Reist who answered.

"Your Highness," he said, gravely, "in this little corner of the earth we hold hard to all our old traditions, and for more than a hundred years--ay, since first that cup was fashioned, none have drunk from it save only those of the royal House, and----"

He hesitated. Ughtred waited for him to continue.

"And their betrothed."

Ughtred started. Marie looked downwards, and the deep colour mounted even to her forehead. There was a moment's silence. Then the spirit of obstinacy which had been kindled in Ughtred prevailed.

"I take upon my own shoulders," he said, smiling, "all the evil that may come of it, and I pray, Countess Marie, that you will honour me by drinking from my cup."

She lifted her head, and the eyes of brother and sister met once more--a single electric moment. Ughtred was conscious of little save of a masterful desire to have his own way. His blue eyes were filled with a compelling light. Perhaps, too, a little admiration was apparent in his bronzed, handsome face. Marie took the cup, and raised it to her lips.

"I drink," she murmured, "to the welfare of Theos, and to her King!"

There was another brief but curiously intense silence. Reist was standing apart with folded arms and absorbed face--Brand, too, had set down his cup, and was watching Marie. Ughtred had an uneasy feeling that what he had regarded merely as an act of courtesy had become a sacrament. The entrance of a servant was a relief to them all.

"The horses, your Grace," he announced, "are at the side door. The people are lining the way to the barracks."

Reist roused himself quickly.

"Your Highness is ready!" he exclaimed. "There is not a moment to lose. We shall know now how deep is the corruption which Domiloff's gold has caused."

Ughtred drained his cup and stood up.

"I am ready!" he declared.

CHAPTER XVI

"It is not only your country's welfare," Domiloff said, "which trembles in the balance. It is her very existence. I appeal to you, General Dartnoff--to you, Bushnieff. If you accept this man, Theos as an independent country will soon be blotted from the map."

Domiloff stood leaning with his back against the long deal table.

Gathered together before him were a dozen men or more in the undress uniform of the Moranian Guards. Dartnoff, his white hair brushed straight back from his forehead, a tall, soldierly figure notwithstanding his sixty years, stepped a little forward.

"My friend, Domiloff," he said, "we are gathered here, as you know, in a state of some indecision. I will frankly admit that as yet we have not made up our minds how to act. Yet it seems to me that you go a little far. We have more faith in ourselves and in the destinies of our ancient kingdom than you seem willing to give us credit for. The end might be as you say supposing we found ourselves involved with one of the great Powers. But let me a.s.sure you, Baron Domiloff, that the contest would be no bloodless one. Theos has held her own, beset though she has been by powerful enemies, for many centuries."

A little murmur of applause escaped from the lips of those gathered around him. Domiloff held up his hand.

"The past of your country," he exclaimed, "is a magnificent chapter in history. It is the more inc.u.mbent upon you to see that she has a future. Warfare to-day has become a science. Reckless bravery is no longer the surety of success. Theos is without any of the modern appliances of war. Her artillery is ancient and her guns fit for the dust-heap. General Dartnoff, a heavy responsibility rests upon your shoulders."

Dartnoff stroked his long grey moustache thoughtfully.

"Domiloff, my friend," he said, "you appear a little flurried, but you are also very much in earnest. Now speak to us exactly the words which are in your heart. You have advice to give, eh? Well, we will listen."

Domiloff moved to the high bare window, and looked downwards towards the town. As yet there was no sign of the figures which he dreaded to see. He faced once more the little a.s.semblage.

"Here are plain words," he said, speaking rapidly, and with rising colour. "If I have seemed evasive hitherto it is because I come to persuade, not to dictate, and I know that the tempers of you men of Theos are easily kindled. Nicholas of Reist brings to-day a forgotten descendant of the Tyrnaus family, and with your consent would make him King. I say with your consent, because the House of Laws is nothing to-day but a farcical a.s.sembly, and they will do what Reist bids them.

The real decision rests with you. Listen. Russia will refuse to recognize this man. If you accept him her restraining hand upon Turkey will be removed. Russia herself may not think it worth while to move against you, but even now in secret the Turks are ma.s.sing upon your borders. They wait only for the signal."

Dartnoff nodded gravely.

"Well," he said, "let us hear what will happen to us supposing we accept your warning and refuse to recognize Ughtred of Tyrnaus."

"The protection of Russia," Domiloff cried, eagerly. "My master himself shall guarantee your independence. I will give you pledges.

You will reserve for a friend and an ally the most generous of the Powers. But you must be quick," he added, with a sudden start. "Now is the time for you to act. Close the gates upon those who come here to-night. It shall be your answer."

Dartnoff shook his head.

"I cannot do that," he said. "Nicholas of Reist is a colonel in our army, and he has the right to enter here at any time."

There was the thunder of hoofs in the courtyard. Domiloff bit his lip and looked nervously around.

"Reist is a traitor," he exclaimed. "It is against the law to harbour a Tyrnaus."

"We will hear what our friend Nicholas of Reist has to say," Dartnoff answered, coldly. "You might perhaps find it advisable to retire, Baron Domiloff."

The door was thrown open. Nicholas and Ughtred entered. General Dartnoff stepped forward.

"General," Nicholas exclaimed, "and brother officers of the Thetian Guards. I have the honour to present you to Prince Ughtred of Tyrnaus."

Ughtred held out his hand frankly. But there was not one of them who did not bow low, after the manner of one making an obeisance rather than exchanging greetings.

"Your names are well known to me," Ughtred said. "I believe that by hereditary right I may call myself a colonel in your regiment and a brother officer."

Dartnoff bowed.

"Your Highness is pleased to remember what is undoubtedly a fact," he said. "The brave deeds of Captain Erlito in the Soudan have been a source of pride to all of us."

Ughtred smiled with pleasure--and Nicholas, with his hand upon his sword, addressed General Dartnoff in clear tones.