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"It is worse than I thought," said Count Halfont, after listening to the words of the excited magistrates. "Are there no loyal men outside these walls?" "Thousands, sir, but they are not organised. They have no leader, and but little with which to fight against such a force." "It is hard to realise that a force of three or four thousand desperadoes has the power to defy an entire kingdom.
"His Majesty appears to have ahem gone to sleep," remarked the Grand Duke tartly, interrupting himself to address the Prime Minister. "He is very tired, your Excellency," said Count Halfont, very much distressed. "Pray consider what he has been through during the " "Ah, my dear Count, do not apologise for him. I quite understand. Ahem! Ahem!" Still he was very red in the face.
I was still dazed over the sudden appearance of the police, but managed to tell my story in full to Dangloss and Count Halfont that's Uncle Caspar and then the chief told me how he and his men happened to be there. In the meantime, the castle physician was attending to you. Dannox had been carried away. I never talked to a more interested audience in my life!
Later on, much of his good humour was restored and his vanity pleased by a polite request from Count Halfont to attend an important council in the "Room of Wrangles" that evening at nine. Very boldly he advanced upon the Castle a few minutes before the appointed hour. He went alone, that he might show a certain contempt for Count Vos Engo.
"Hang it," growled Anguish, with a quizzical grin, as Ravone departed under the guidance of Count Halfont himself, "this knocks me galley-west. I'd like to have had a hand in it. It must have been great. How the devil do you think that miserable little gang of tramps pulled it off?" "Harry," said Lorry disgustedly, "they taught us a trick or two."
"She has signed the warrant, but very much against her inclination. Count Halfont informed me that she pleaded and argued with the Duke for hours, seeking to avert the act which is bound to give pain to all of us. He was obdurate, and threatened to carry complaint to Bolaroz, who would instantly demand satisfaction.
Not one but wished in secret as Gaspon and Halfont had wished in open speech. When the Princess entered with the prime minister they narrowly scanned the face so dear to them. Determination and cowardice were blended in the deep blue eyes, pride and dejection in the firm step, strength and weakness in the loving smile she bestowed upon the faithful counsellors.
The Princess, so Harry informed the prisoner, sent sincere expressions of sympathy and the hope that all would end well with him. Count Halfont, the Countess, Gaspon and many others had asked to be remembered. The prisoner smiled wearily and promised that they should not be forgotten in a week which was as far as he expected his memory to extend.
Satisfying themselves as to the identity of that peculiar voice, the friends passed through to the piazza. "What's to be done?" asked Anguish, boiling over with excitement. "We must go to Baron Dangloss, tell him of our positive discovery, and then consult Count Halfont." "And Her Royal Highness, of course."
You knew when that treaty was framed that we could raise no such funds in fifteen years," said Halfont, forgetting himself in his indignation. Gaspon and other men present approved his hasty declaration. "Am I dealing with the Princess of Graustark or with you, sir?" asked Bolaroz, roughly. You are dealing with the people of Graustark, and among the poorest, I. I will sign the decree.
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