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Count Julius Marulitch breathed heavily, and Constantine Beliani threw a wary eye over Alec. "Good!" said Stampoff. "That clears the air. I shall be ready to accompany your Majesty by the train that leaves the Gare de l'Est at seven-thirty P.M." Prince Michael laughed dryly. "You see," he said. "I was sure Stampoff would interfere with my dinner hour."
She clutched at his shoulder; but he shook himself free brutally. "It is full time you knew what I have done for you," he hissed venomously at Alec. "Stampoff and your mother and I, alone of those in this room, are aware of the fraud that has been perpetrated on the people of this country. You are not King of Kosnovia. You are not my son.
Another man in his position might have sought to curry favor with the new régime, whether of Michael or Julius; but Stampoff was not of that mettle; he wanted Alec to be King, because he believed in him, and now the edifice for which he had labored so ardently had tumbled in pieces about his ears. Pauline came, and Alec went to his mother. He took her tenderly in his arms. "Come, dear!" he said.
Then Monsieur Nesimir took him in hand; but long before either of them could make up their minds that he was speaking the truth Bosko was clear of the mob and Stampoff was bringing his hussars from the War Ministry." The Princess spoke hurriedly, and the younger people were quick to perceive a slight restraint in her words. It was quite natural.
Stampoff, who had been following the vanishing figure of Beaumanoir's emissary with suspicious eyes, turned and looked at the newcomer. "Oh, that is Bosko," he said, "my servant yours, too, for that matter. You can trust Bosko with your life. Can't he, you dog?" "Oui, m'sieur!" said Bosko.
You do not know our Serbs," yet Stampoff was moved, and his Slavonic sympathies were touched. "Well, 'A King should die standing, said one poor monarch, who thought he did know Frenchmen. I ask only for a few hours in my boots once I reach Delgratz. I shall say things that will not be forgotten for a day or two. Come, now, my old war-horse, join me in this new campaign!
"You, Beliani, you are not one to be carried away by emotion," he said. "Count Marulitch spoke of a proclamation. Who issued it? Was there any authority behind it?" "God's bones! what better authority is there than your Majesty's?" roared Stampoff. But the Prince extended a protesting palm. "An excellent sentiment, my friend; but let us hear Beliani," he said.
The Danube, a broad streak of silver, blended with the blue Tave to frame a glimpse of fairyland. For one thrilling moment Alec forgot its bloodstained history and looked only on the fair domain spread before his eyes. Then the black girders and crude latticework of a bridge shut out the entrancing spectacle, and he was conscious that Stampoff had caught his hand and was pressing it to his lips.
"We shall settle those points at Delgratz," declared the brusk Stampoff. "You will bring the money, half in gold, to the station?" he added to Beliani. "Yes. Gold is best. For the remainder, you will want Russian notes." Something seemed to be troubling the august mind of Prince Michael. "By the way, my dear Beliani," he began; but the Greek awoke into a very panic of action.
"That fellow is Captain Drakovitch, I remember him well; he is all nose." "I shall appoint him sanitary inspector," said Alec, sniffing. Stampoff laughed. Now that they were fairly committed to Alec's scheme, he was in excellent spirits. "By the patriarch! you certainly believe in yourself, and I am beginning to believe in you!" he vowed.
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