Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER VIII.
The Iron Bracelet.

The Iron Bracelet.
When Lord Cloverton left Frina Mavro-
din he hurried to the vestibule and sent q
message to the king. asking for an imme-
date and private audience, and De Frof-
iette saw the ambassador go to the kings
private apartment soon afterward. De
Froilette knew that this sudden audience
could only relate to one of two matters
either Lord Cfoverton had made some dis
covery respecting the Princess Martha, OF
else he was aware that Ellerey was with
the queen and was about to make some
move which would defeat any conspiracy
which might be in progress. That the am
bassador had any idea Of the real state of
affairs. De Froiette did not believe. He
did not go at once to warn the queen. 1t
was only as the king and the minister were
leaving the private apartments that he
realized the danger.
orsl C1overton was troubled. The va
rlous pieces of the puzzle which he had
fitted into places to his satisfaction sud
denly seemed inadequate to fill the places
he had assigned to them. Tonight he had
discovered & depth in Frina Mavrodin the
existence of which he had never suspected.
She had fenced him with his own weapons
in manner he was little accustomed to,
and he had signally failed to make use of
her IN the way he desired. True, she had
told him that Ellerey was with the queen.
but she bad mentioned 1t as circumstance
OF small Importance. Was it? Was the
This frivolous woman was beginning to
take a new position in the ambassador
calculations, and he began. almost uncon-
scionsly. to look for some large space in
the intricate puzzle which she might pos
sibly fill. He had imagined that love linked
her to Desmond Ellerey. and he was appar-
emily mistaken; it was only friendship, and
such friendship might mean anything.
He spoke to Capt. Ward, telling him to
be particularly observant of Ellerey. and
then went to the king 1t was unusual
with him, but for once he had not deter
| mined what course of action to take even
when he entered the kings room.
What important twist have affairs
taken. my lord?" asked the king.
1T is to prevent any twist that I ven
tured to ask for this audience, your mai
esty. 1 am forced to refer again to a sub
ject which, on a former occasion. gave you
some displeasure. You must pardon my
importantly. since l believe the danger is
imminent
Il am all attention" the king answered.
conscious of the slight embarrassment there
was in Lord Clovertons manner
"As you aware, the ambassador
went on slowly. Il have always considered
many of the plots which from time to time
become apparent in SturatZberg of small
Importance. 1 have, the other hand,
consistently warned your majesty of the
DANCE: which might at any time manifest
itself in sudden development of tn. tao
tics of the brigands in the mountains.
Their chief, Vasilici may be chief only
in name. and 1t is certain that during the
past few months many have joined him
WHO are not brigands in any sense Of he
word and who. 1 conceive, are merely Us
ing THIS outlaw as convenient cloak to
their " der and more sinister intentions.
Certainly you have always been an
alarmist in this matter said the king.
with a smile. Whatever their intentions
may be, the fact remains that they have
| always fed at the approach Of a handful
of troops
(Which Is rather unnatural. it seems to
me-" Lord Cloverton answered quickly:
Whatever else he may lack, your brigand
is not deficient in courage, and 1t must be
remembered that the troops sent against
these men have never succeeded In finding
trace of their spoils.'
| warned of the expeditions sent against
them?'
Il think it probable"
by whom. my lord?'
I'VE might laugh at the danger. your
majesty, could l answer that question.
replied the ambassador. ut must he re-
membered that there are many in Sturatz-
berg who, while personally loyal to you,
are not satisfied with your foreign policy;
who believe that Wallaria is too much I'M
der the direction of the greater European
powers and would help you to emancipation
in spite of yourself.
"A Judgment which is the outcome of
ignorance, Lord Cloverton.'
Il think so, but it is not reasonable to
suppose that they do" returned the am
| bassador "Such feeling is prevalent in
all grades of society in Sturatzberg. from
her majesty Queen Elena down to the
beggars in the Altstrasse.'
'sThe queen, my lord!' exclaimed the king
sharply.
Il do not speak hastily, your majesty.
Queen Elena has all those attributes which
go to make a great ruler She has cour-
age, diplomacy tact, and deep in her heart
lies living. beating interest in her coun-
trys welfare
"Such praise seems merely the mask for
an accusation, my lord. L must request
you to be more explicit
'"To be So your majesty. was my reason
for asking for this interview. 1 humbly
protest however, that I make no accusa-
ton in the ordinary sense of the word. Her
maiesty's conception of her country's well
fare is 1 venture to think, an erroneous
one. although l imagine her desire Is only
to help forward policy which she believes
is near to your heart.
Enough Lord Cloverton, let us get to
the root of the matter quickly. Our abb
sence will be remarked and occasion COM
ment."
The king spoke irritably and the am
bassador felt the delicacy and difficulty of
the position. He was not quite sure of his
ground He was rather in the position of
one who draws bow at a venture. and yet
he had a shrewd suspicion in which d.
rection the mark lay. OF one thing he was
certain-the danger, and he felt justified
! in taking any risk for the purpose or pre-
venting trouble.
Tonight the queen has given special
audience to countryman of mine, Capt.
Desmond Ellerey in your majesty's serv-
| ice" said the ambassador, speaking quietly
| and concisely. This Capt. EHerey is a
man of courage and resource, in a way an
adventurer, prepared for any hazardous en-
terprise If he is once convinced that 1t is
| in the service of his adopted country.
believe the queen intends to send him upon
some secret mission which. although she
may be ignorant of the fact, will initiate
| against your majesty and against your
peaceful policy"
IAN accusation of treason" exclaimed
| the king. You go too far my lord"
| II make no such accusation: l only fear
| an act which may lead to treason in others,
and seek to prevent it,
"Why not question Capt. Ellerey?'
II have done SO, but to no purpose.
81 will question him." said the king.
| "Why not question her majesty" Lord
| Cloverton suggested. Capt Elierey Is
| with her at this moment"
you shall go with me, Lord Cloverton.
| said the king. Since you have such sus-
| picions it is no time for secret Questionings.
Her majesty shall hear your accusation
and shall answer it,
| The ambassador bowed. The kings de-
| cision pleased him. If he had not succeed
| ed in raising the kings suspicion. he had
raised his anger, which would serve the