The Traitors Part 36

"No!"

Ughtred looked from one to the other.

"I am afraid you don't quite understand the situation, Mr. Van Decht.

I do not think it probable of course, but it is possible that the city may be surrounded in less than a week."

Mr. Van Decht nodded.

"I guess it isn't quite so bad as that," he answered. "In any case, I'd like you to understand this. We've had a pretty good time here, and we haven't any idea of scuttling out just because things aren't exactly booming. I've a tidy idea of engineering, and I think I can show you a wrinkle or two in trench-making. Then there's another thing--you'll allow a man's a right to do what he pleases with his own money?"

"Why, I suppose so," Ughtred answered.

"Well, I'm not given to bragging," Mr. Van Decht continued, "but I reckon I'm one of the richest men in the States. Accordingly, as I'm sort of a resident here I claim the right to help the war fund. I've put a million to your credit at the Credit Lyonnaise, and if more's wanted--there's plenty. I don't want any thanks; I don't mind telling you that I'd give a lot more to see those low-down skunks get the whipping they deserve."

Ughtred was for a moment speechless. It was Sara who replied for him.

"We are very much obliged, father," she said, smiling at him. "You don't mind, do you?"

He looked from one to the other. He did not affect any surprise, but his face was grave.

"Sara has promised that some day if we are spared she will be my wife," Ughtred said, simply. "I hope that you will consent."

Mr. Van Decht nodded thoughtfully.

"I had an idea," he said, hesitatingly, "that you would be not exactly a free agent in such a matter."

Ughtred smiled.

"My kingdom is a tiny one," he answered, "and I do not think after a while that there will be any difficulty at all."

Mr. Van Decht rose from his chair and shook hands solemnly with the young man.

"I wasn't reckoning upon having a King for a son-in-law," he said, "but I know a man when I see him, and if it works out to be possible you can take my consent for granted. Sara is the daughter of plain people with no family to boast of, but I tell you this, sir, I am a man with few wants, and I will give Sara the largest dowry that has ever been given by prince or commoner. I reckon I'm worth five million pounds, and I'll settle four and a half upon her. Theos wants money, and that may take things a bit smoother in case of trouble."

"You are magnificently generous, sir!" Ughtred answered. "I am afraid that nowadays a bride with such a dowry would rank above princesses."

The cathedral clock chimed again. Ughtred tore himself away. Reist met him at the door, his eyes blazing with excitement.

"Effenden Pascha has left the city!" he exclaimed. "The Turks are streaming over the frontier--Bushnieff has wired for reinforcements."

"The supply trains are waiting?" Ughtred asked, quickly.

"With steam up!"

"Your carriage quickly. To the barracks!" Ughtred exclaimed.

CHAPTER x.x.x

All night long the war-beacons of Theos reddened the sky and the thunder of artillery woke strange echoes amongst the mountains. There were three pa.s.ses only through which the Turks could force their way into the fertile plain which stretched from Theos southwards, and each one, to their surprise, was found well guarded and fortified. A simultaneous advance was repulsed with heavy loss. At Solika only, on the far east, where the veteran General Kolashin was in command, the first position was carried, but this temporary success was counterbalanced by the immense losses inflicted on the advancing columns from the second and more secure line of fortifications. Across the plain a light railway from Theos all night long brought reinforcements and stores to the different positions. Ughtred himself, by means of an engine and fast horses, visited before daybreak the three points of attack. He was present and himself directed the successful resistance at Solika. He returned to Theos at daybreak hopeful, and even with a certain sense of relief that the worst had now come to pa.s.s.

Still in his uniform, stained with blood and dust, the King sat at a small writing-table in his retiring-room reading the day's letters and telegrams. Already he had been busy with tongue and pen. His appeal for intervention, couched in dignified and measured terms, had been written, signed, and dispatched by special messenger to England, France, and Germany. For Ughtred had a very keen sense of proportion.

Courageous though he was, and confident in the bravery of his people, he knew that his resistance unaided could only be a matter of time.

Hiram Van Decht, now a privileged person at the palace, came in to him as he sat there.

"I guess you don't want to be bothered just now," he remarked, apologetically, "but Sara's bound to know how things have gone so far."

Ughtred wheeled round in his chair and welcomed his visitor.

"Cigars at your elbow," he said. "Help yourself."

Van Decht disregarded the invitation. He looked steadily at the King.

Then he rang the bell.

"You'll forgive the liberty, I know," he said, "but I'm going to tell that flunkey of yours to fetch a flask of wine, and see you drink some."

Ughtred smiled.

"I was just going to order something," he said. "I've had a hard night. So far nothing has gone amiss. Our outposts were rushed at Solika, but our main position was easily held."

Van Decht nodded.

"That's good! Any fighting at Althea Pa.s.s?"

"We are being heavily sh.e.l.led there and at Morania, but I consider that both places are almost impregnable. Solika is where we must concentrate. You see we have treachery to fear there. It is a frontier town and full of small Russian traders. Reist is garrisoning the place, and General Dartnoff is in command of the forces holding the Pa.s.s. Just now everything is quiet. I fancy they are waiting to bring up more heavy guns."

Van Decht lit a cigar meditatively.

"This is what beats me," he remarked. "I can never figure out your European politics, but I should never have thought that England and Germany would have allowed a small, unoffending country to be overrun and grabbed by a lot of heathen infidels."

Ughtred sighed.

"It is hard to understand," he said. "Only you must remember this.

Selfishness is the keynote of international politics, as of many other things. A single Power is always afraid of moving for fear of disturbing the balance of nations. Besides, they all know that this is no war between Turkey and Theos. It is Russia who is pulling the strings."

"That's all right," Mr. Van Decht admitted, "but I should say that you've a sort of a claim on England. You're half an Englishman, anyway. You've fought her battles. She's big enough to give you a lift."

"If help comes from anywhere," Ughtred answered, "it will come from England. I have appealed to the Powers, and to England especially. Mr.

Ellis has already been here, and he is representing my case strongly."

Wine was brought in, and food. Ughtred ate little, but smoked a cigar.

"What's the next move?" Mr. Van Decht asked.