The Traitors. E. Phillips Oppenheim

have met here I am venturing to ask for your advice. You have a precise knowledge of the situation, you know the country, the people, our environment. How best do you think that I could answer them?”

      The Russian smoked thoughtfully for a moment. In the little clouds of blue smoke which hung about his head he seemed to be seeking for inspiration. Was this simplicity, he wondered, or had Reist indeed a hidden purpose in seeking to make him declare himself?

      “It is not an easy question which you ask, my friend,” he answered at last. “Yet, after all, I doubt whether more than one course is open to those who would direct the destinies of your country. Theos is a weak State hemmed in by powerful ones. She is to-day the certain prey of whomever might stretch out his hand—even her ancient enemy the Turk. So, after all, it is not difficult to offer you good advice. I would say to you this: Let her seek out the strongest, the most generous of those environing Powers, and say to her frankly, ‘Give me your protection’ and I believe that for the sake of peace her prayer would be promptly answered.”

      Reist was silent. Ughtred, who had been listening intently, interposed.

      “The advice,” he said, “sounds well, but it seems to me to have one weak point. It is her independence which Theos seeks above all things to retain. The protection of any one Power must surely jeopardize this.”

      “By no means,” Prince Alexis answered, blandly. “Let us take my own country for example. Russia is great enough and generous enough to befriend a weakened state without any question of a quid pro quo. A love of peace is the one great passion which sways my master in all his dealings. For the sake of it he would do more even than this.”

      “The Czar does not stand alone,” Reist remarked, thoughtfully. “He has many advisers.”

      “To whom he listens,” Prince Alexis answered, “when it pleases him. It is said in this country, yes, and in others, that the Czar is a puppet. We who know only smile. For, my dear Reist, it is true that there has not reigned in Europe for many years a greater autocrat than he who sits on the throne of Russia to-day. But to return to the subject of Theos. Your danger seems to me to lie here. Supposing that the present state of disquiet continues, or any form of government be set up which does not seem to promise permanent stability. Then it is very likely that those stronger countries by whom Theos is surrounded may, in the general interests of peace, deem it their duty to interfere.”

      “Theos,” Reist said, proudly, “is not yet a moribund State. She has an army, and at the first hint of invasion all political differences would cease.”

      Prince Alexis smiled, and raised his tiny glass of liqueur.

      “Floreat Theos!” he said, lightly. “Long may she continue to retain her independence—and to know her friends.”

      They all raised their glasses. From Reist came a whisper, little more than a breath—

      “Long live the King!”

CHAPTER VII

       Table of Contents

      Prince Alexis made the toast the signal for his departure, murmuring something about a diplomatic reception which his duty forbade him to ignore. In the lobby Hassen brushed up against him.

      “A word with your Highness outside,” he murmured.

      The Ambassador signified assent by a scarcely-noticeable gesture. He lit a cigarette and leisurely buttoned his fur coat. A swift glance towards the little party in the corner showed him that Reist was missing.

      “You had better slip into my carriage quietly,” he said to Hassen. “Our good friend the Duke of Reist is on the lookout somewhere, and it would be better that he did not see us together.”

      Hassen nodded, and preceded the Ambassador, who lingered to speak to some acquaintance. In a few moments he followed, pausing with his foot upon the carriage steps as though to re-light his cigarette. He looked quickly up and down the pavement. At the corner of Pall Mall and the Haymarket a man was standing with his face half turned in their direction. He shrugged his shoulders and entered the carriage.

      “The Duke of Reist is interested,” he remarked to Hassen. “Come, my friend, what have you to say?”

      “First of all, then,” Hassen began, “your bribe to Metzger was large, but you will never get your money’s worth. You have worked hard for the political disruption of Theos. It may chance that you have failed utterly.”

      The Ambassador nodded pleasantly.

      “Possibly,” he admitted. “I do not quite follow you, though. Metzger has been chased from the country. There is no government, no law, no order. The Powers cannot permit this to continue. A protectorship will be proposed within a week.”

      “It will be four days too late,” Hassen answered. “In less time than that Theos will occupy a stronger position politically than ever before.”

      “You surprise me,” the Ambassador admitted, politely.

      “Do you think that the Duke of Reist is the sort of man to be dining at London restaurants whilst his country bleeds to death!” Hassen exclaimed. “Bah! His presence here with Ughtred of Tyrnaus to-night is no chance affair. There is a deep scheme on, and broadly I have fathomed it.”

      “Yes?”

      “Theos has had enough of Republics. She is going to try a King. It is Reist himself who put the idea into their heads. He has come as the envoy of the people to Ughtred of Tyrnaus.”

      “That,” the Ambassador remarked, “will not do at all.”

      “You think so, knowing nothing of Ughtred of Tyrnaus. I know him well, and if you wish Theos to become a Russian province he is the very man in Europe to baulk you. He is brave, shrewd, patriotic, and a fine soldier. If he ever reaches Theos the people will worship him. He will make order out of chaos. He will hold the reins and he will be proof against the wiles of your agents. Short of absolute force you will not be able to dislodge him.”

      “He must not reach Theos,” the Ambassador said, thoughtfully. “The man’s very physique will win him the throne … and I believe that you are right. The House of Tyrnaus has never been friendly towards Russia. What will your master say, Hassen?”

      The man smiled grimly.

      “Do we want a soldier King in Theos?” he asked, “when our soldiers are creeping northwards to the Balkans day by day? You are ready to seize by intrigue and by stealth—we are preparing to strike a blow of another sort.”

      The Ambassador smiled. The Turkish soldiers were brave enough, but in Constantinople at that moment was a Russian envoy on secret business, who had very definite instructions as to the occupation of Theos. It is possible, however, that Prince Alexis had forgotten the fact, for he did not mention it.

      “At least,” he said, “one thing is clear. Ughtred of Tyrnaus must be delayed.”

      Hassen shrugged his shoulders. The gesture was expressive.

      “It will be worth—say five thousand pounds to you,” the Ambassador remarked, carelessly, “to make sure of it.”

      Hassen nodded and stepped out of the carriage. They had drawn up before one of the embassies, and his arrival with Prince Alexis was not a thing to be advertised.

      “I shall do my best,” he said, slipping away in the crowd.

      “Why, yes, I shall miss you. Isn’t that natural?”

      “I hope so,” he answered. “I shall never forget these days.” She laughed gaily. The music was playing something very soft and low. Reist had not yet reappeared.

      “Isn’t that a little rash, my friend? You love experiences, and you are going to enter