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He lifted his wine-glass with the air of one proposing a toast. "It becomes our duty to make that statement true. Messieurs, our success!" When the three glasses had been set down, the Englishman questioned: "How did it occur?" In the smooth manner of an after-dinner narrative, Jusseret explained the occurrences of the night when he had brought his plans to an almost successful termination.
"Escort Monsieur Jusseret to the Palace gates!" he commanded, his eyes blazing on the Galavian officers. "The persons of even secret Ambassadors are sacred otherwise " His voice failed him. The officers cringed back under his glance, but stood supine and inactive. Karyl waited with a cold smile on his lips. His face was pale but there was no touch of fear in the expression.
Monsieur Jusseret sat upright in the brougham, scorning the supporting cushions at his back. His small, shrewd eyes frowned his deep disapproval over the roofs of Algiers outspread below him. He scowled on the gaudy and tatterdemalion color of the native city. He scowled on the smart brilliancy of the French quarter basking along the Place du Government and the Boulevard de la Republique.
When Louis presented Jusseret to the Countess Astaride there flashed between the woman of audacious imagination and the master of intrigue a message of kinship. The Frenchman bent low over her hand. "That hand, Madame," he had whispered, "was made to wield a scepter."
"And how do you propose," he demanded, "to persuade this loyal adviser of Karyl to accept a deputyship at the hands of Karyl's enemies?" Again Jusseret smiled. "It will be Von Ritz or a foreigner," he explained. "We must convince him that his beloved Kingdom can henceforth be only a province in any event that it may prosper under his guidance or suffer under a more oppressive hand.
Jusseret knew that the lure which had drawn young Lapas away from the confidence of Karyl to the uncertain standard of Delgado had been the influence of the Countess Astaride. He knew that Lapas loved her hopelessly, willing even in her name to serve the greater man who loved her more successfully. His attachment was that of the boy for the woman who is mistress of all the mature arts of charm.
The Grand Duke, waiting at his hunting lodge, is to receive by wireless the message from Jusseret and Borttorff, who convey the verdict of Europe, as to whether or not it is decided to recognize his Government. If their message be favorable, he will raise the Galavian flag on the west tower of the hunting lodge, and I shall relay the message here with the flag at Look-out Point.
"True." The Countess sat for a time in deep thought. "There is one man in Puntal," said Jusseret with sudden thought, "who might possibly be of assistance to you. He is not legally a citizen of Galavia. He even has a certain official connection with another government. He is a man I cannot myself approach."
Jusseret lighted a cigarette. The Pretender sat silent, frightened, vacillating. "And," went on Jusseret calmly, "there was one other suggestion which I shall make, if Your Majesty will permit me the liberty." "What?" "Touching Your Majesty's marriage " "Yes Marie is also in some hurry about that. What is the devilish haste? One can be married at any time."
The King poured himself a glass of wine, which he gulped down nervously. "You speak in riddles always in riddles. What is unripe? The blow is struck, I am in possession. What is to be gained by waiting?" Jusseret raised his brows. "What blow is struck, Your Majesty? You know and I know that you occupy the Palace.
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