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It's deep potations that give a man breadth sometimes, and his habit of growling strange oaths that gets him credit for valor." Grigosie plied him with questions, and heard many a strange tale of fighting in which Stefan had done marvellous things. "Is there no reward for bravery in Wallaria?" said Grigosie at last. "How is it that no great distinction has come to you?"
"But, Desmond, supposing " "I know what you would say," returned Ellerey quickly. "Supposing Englishmen should have to fight against Wallaria, and I should have to carry arms against my country; well, with whom does the fault lie, with England or with me? England has dispensed with my services, believing a lie; she drives me from her, and makes me a renegade. What allegiance do I owe to England?
"I will be brief," said Maritza. "For a long time you have been intriguing with Queen Elena, through a servant of hers, one Jules de Froilette. By him you have been told to expect a certain token from her Majesty, upon the receipt of which you were to sweep down upon Sturatzberg, join yourselves with those who espoused her cause in the city, and set her alone upon the throne of Wallaria.
"No doubt, my lord," De Froilette answered. "I am but a looker-on, with certain business interests which politics might affect, and therefore I take some notice of politics. Perhaps I see more clearly than some, my lord the lookers-on often do; and I am convinced that British policy is at the present moment the safeguard of Wallaria." "I rejoice to hear it, monsieur."
The King sat down heavily in his chair. "I will send no message," he said. Lord Cloverton bowed, and placing the bracelet carefully on the table, silently left the apartment. Peaceful times had fallen upon Wallaria.
Once, doubtless, it was the highway into Wallaria from the north, but that was long ago, not within the memory of the oldest man. Nature herself had closed the way by casting a great spur of the mountain into the deepest and narrowest part of the defile.
The men in the hills would help to set her alone upon the throne in Wallaria, and the King once got rid of and the country in insurrection, De Froilette would have sold it to Russia more, would have aspired to the hand of the Queen. Perhaps he loves her, perhaps he only loves the power he would gain.
No, Captain, the Countess bid me come to rescue the Princess, and you, to aid your escape out of Wallaria if need be, and her command is my law. Do we understand each other, Captain Ellerey?" They looked into each other's eyes for a moment. "Do you understand why I forced a duel upon you?" Petrescu went on.
We must wait a little. I have some money in my pouch; may I pay for liquor?" "You're doing me good, youngster," laughed Ellerey. "Order your drinks, and tell me who they were who fathered and mothered you that you have such wit. You are not fashioned after the usual breed in Wallaria." "I am of the pure breed which is being forgotten in the bastard race.
"It is an ancient treasure of Wallaria, worn, it is said, by savage kings in this country before ever the Romans had trampled it with their all-conquering legions. I will seal it in this box, which you must guard with your life and bear to Vasilici. Seeing it, he will welcome you as he would ourself.
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