The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1916-07-20
TWENTIETH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Broken Treaty.

In che palace OF Grotzhoffen. King
Michael's friends and courticrs, King
Miciael's officials. at last began slowly
to recover from the period OF dissipa.
ton into which they had plunged as
an expression OF their relief from the
armed menace 80 recently at their
wallis. There 10 q limit to human pos.
abilities In Joy, In grief, In exaltation
of any kind. even alcoholic. King MI.
chael and his court ceased to drink be.
cause they could drink no more-the
wine cup had ceased to furnish any
nllip to their besotted brains.
Alone among all these others the
prime minister OF Gretzhoffen retained
somewhat OF his wits. Perhaps
stout heredity made him more imper-
vious to the inroads of excess. or per.
haps he had certain ambitions of his
own which cannily suggested to him
that It were better to remain In pos.
session OF all his faculties. At least
no was the first to call halt In the
carouse and to take some account OF
events past and future.
He looked about him at the wreck
which had been wrought In the palace
by its inmates-wellnigh as complete
as that lately done by It's enemies
looked at the stained rugs--the broken
furniture. the disordered tables. His
gaze passed by all this to rest upon
the stupefed guests. OF whom he now
proceeded to make quick clearance.
Michael himself made no protest at
this. for he knew little of what went
on about him. On his mind still rested
the obscssion that he was celebrating
great victory Of the Gretzhoffen
arms and tho Gretzhoffen diplomacy
To him. therefore. the prime minister
now addressed himself In the hope Of
some partial restoration OF order.
some semblance Of a government Al.
ways he missed the strong mind and
the strong arms OF Count Frederick,
now 30 mysteriously disappeared.
Across the narrow neutral lands
which divided these two kingdoms,
yonder In the capital Of Grahoffen. a
quite different state OF affairs held
place. No dissipation for old Corti.
slaw. and no celebration for any vic
tory not actually in hand. Cortislaw
planned war. As for his pledged word
in the armistice and the later treaty
he had long since cast to the winds all
this as a scrap OF paper carrying no
value whatever. Cortislaw signed trea
ties only to get something afterward
He had signed this one merely as q
temporary expedient to extricate him
self from dangerous situation. That
being done. the world began all over
again for Cortislaw.
In due time Sachio returned from
his bootless search in the vaults be
low the Gretzhoffen palace. He was
full of apprehension. but none the less
must face his sovereign.
"Your majesty" he began. when al
length that dreaded interview was M
longer to be evaded. He hesitated
and az he did 80 his monarch guessed
his news was none too good.
"Well. we'll. Sachio. what is It tina
my majesty ia to hear?" demanded
Cortislaw. "More bad news? Yo'
have not won the secret-you hav'
lost our last opportunity"
"Sire, II is true! Thus far hav'
failed. But still"
you ask more time! Do you thinl
time is as inexhaustible as q river
Let me tell you, 1t passes, with on
hopes, with wings. Time-more time
that Is what you cannot havel".
"But. your majesty"
away with you, Sachio! I hav'
parleyed with you for the last time
II I did not need you as an officer
your head indeed should hang on on
gates as warning to other failures
"How can I serve your majesty?
asked Sachio humbly. glad enough Il
feel his head safe on his shoulder
for yet another hour.
Call out our army! Mobilize a
once to the last man! See that tn
guns are ready with full ammuniti'
trains. Call In the officers at once
See to It also that the ships are ready
We will attack at once by land an
sea. Get you at once to the depart
ment of our navy, when you have FIJI
ished your orders for the land forces
We must move at once"
whittier, your majesty"
where else, II not against Greti
hoffen? II you could not find thei
secret at your leisure, will blow dow
their towers and look among the ruin
myself for whatever secrets they ma
hold. The gods of my ancestors woul
not let them rest In their graves II
accepted this situation as It rests fc
us today"
4 certain relief came to the so,