The National tribune., 1906-09-27
VIII.
1 Fair Cousin and q Dark Brother.

telling me that the King always took
white wine in the morning and was
known to detest all highly-seasoned
dishes. Then came the chancellor for
another three hours; and TO him I had
to explain that the hurt to my finger
. 1--WE turned that bullet to happy ac-
counD prevented me from writing
whence arose great to-do, hunting of
precedents and so forth, ending in my
making my mark" and the chancellor
attesting it with a superiuity of solemn
oaths. Then the French ambassador
was introduced, to present his creden-
tials; here my ignorance was of no i'm
portance, as the King would have been
equally raw to the business 1--WE worked
through the whole corps diplomatique
IN the next few days, demise of the
crown necessitating all this bother).
Then at last / was left alone. I called
my new servant Eve had chosen, to sue
ceed poor josef a young man who had
never known the King), had brandy
and soda brought 20 me, and observed
to Sapt that l trusted that might now
have a rest.
Fritz Won -Tarlenheim was standing
by.
by Heavenr' he cried. I'VE waste
time. Aren't we going to throw Black
Michael by the heels?"
Gently. my son, gently" said Sapt,
knitting his brows. ut would be a
pleasure. but it might cost us dear.
Would Michael fall and leave the King
alive?"
And" I suggested. while the King
is here in Strelsau on his throne, what
grievance has he against his dear
brother Michael?"
Are we to do nothing them"
Were to do nothing stupid" growl-
I'd Sapt
I'm fact, Fritz" said I, 'I am re-
minded of a situation in one Of our
English plays, The Critic Have you
heard of It? Or, If you like, of two
men, each covering the other with a
revolver. For can't expose Michael
without exposing myself"
And the King" put in Sapt.
And. hang me, If Michael won't ex-
pose himself If he tries to expose mel"
Its very pretty" said old Sapt
IF I'm found out" I pursued. IT will
make clean breast of 1t. and fight It
out with the Duke; but at present I'm
waiting for a move from him."
He'll kill the King" said Fritz.
mot he." said Sapt
Half Of the Six are in Strelsau," said
Fritz.
"only haIf7 You're sure?" asked
Bapt eagerly.
"Yes-only half"
Then the Kings alive. for the other
three are guarding him!" cried Sapt.
"Yes-you're right" exclaimed Fritz,
his face Frightening. IF the King were
dead and buried they'd all be here with
Michael. You know Michaers back.
Coionel?"
st know. curse him!"
Gentlemen. gentlemen" said I, "who
are the Six? 2"
ct think you'll make their acquaint-
ance soon," said Sept. '"They are six
gentlemen whom Michael maintains in
his household: they belong to him body
then there's a Frenchman, a Belgian
and one of your countrymen."
They'd all cut throat II Michael
told them" said Fritz. D..
Perhaps they'll cut mine." I sug-
gested.
"Who are here, Fritz"
DE Gautet. Bersonin and Detchard"
The foreigners! It's as plain as a
pikestaff. He's brought them, and left
the Ruritanians with the King: that's
because he wants to commit the Ruri
tanians as deep as he can"
''They were none of them among our
friends at the lodge. them" asked.
81 wish they had been,'' said Sapt
wistfully. They had been, not Six, but
-Four, by now"
had already developed one attribute
of royalty-a feeling that 1 need not
reveal all my mind or my secret designs
fully resolved on my course Of action.
/ meant to make myself as popular as
could, and at the same time to show
no disfavor to Michael. By these means
hoped to ailay the hostility OF his ad
herents and make it appear II an open
conflict came about, that he wes un-
grateful and not oppressed.
Yet an open conflict was not what
hoped for.
The Kings interest demanded Sc
crecy; and while secrecy lasted I had q
hne game to play in Strelsau. Michael
should not grow stronger for delay,
ordered my horse, and, attended by
Fritz Won Tarlenheim, rode in the grand
avenue of the royal park, returning all
the salutes which received with pune
tilious politeness. Then I rode through
few of the streets stopped and
bought flowers of a pretty girl. paying
her with piece Of gold; and then, hav-
Ing attracted the desired amount Of at
tention (for / had trail of half a
thousand people after mel, I rode to
the residence of the Princess Flavia,
and asked II she would receive me- This
step created much interest, and was
met with shouts of approval. The
Princess was very popular. and the
chancellor himself had not scrupled to
hint to me that the more I pressed my
suit, and the more rapidly I brought It
to a prosperous conclusion, the stronger
EnOuiO L De III the dHectlOn my SUD-
jects. The chancellor, of course, did
not understand the difficulties which
lay IN the way of following his loyal
and excellent advice. However. ]
thought ] could do no harm by calling;
and In this view Fritz supported me
with a cordially that surprised me, un-
til he confessed that he also had his
motive for liking to visit the Princess's
house which motive was no other than
a great desire to see the Princess's lady
in waiting and bosom friend, the Coun-
tess Helga Won Strofzin.
Etiquet seconded Fritz's hopes While
] was ushered into the Prncess's room
he remained with the Countess in the
ante-chamber: in spite of the people
and servants VINO were hanging about
doubt not that they managed tete-a.
tete but / had no leisure to think O!
them, for / was playing the most deli,
cate move in all my difficult game.
had to keep the Princess devoted L
me-and yet Indifferent to me: l hat
TO show affection for her-and not fee
It. l had to make love for another, ant
that to a girl who-Princess or no Prin
cess-was the most beautiful I hat
ever seen. Well, l braced myself to tn,
task. made no easier by the charmin,
embarrassment with which I was re
ceived. How 1 succeeded in carryin;
out my program will appear hereafter
You are gaining golden laurels." sh,
said. You are like the Prince Il
Shakspere who was transformed by be
coming King. But I'm forgetting yo,
are King, sire"