Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-11-28
CHAPTER XIX.
The Conference In tho Castle.

4 NUMBER Of men were seated
about q long table in the CEN
~ ter Of this imposing chamber.
No one arose as Mr.. Blithers
entered the room and stopped Just in
side the door. He was at q loss for
the first time In his life. His gaze
fell upon q huge oaken chair at the
far end Of the table. II was the only
unoccupied seat that came within the
scope Of his rather limited vision.
Was 1t possible that the big chair
was intended for himf II 30. how
small and Insignificant he would look
upon 1t.
After what appeared to him to be
an interminable length Of time. but
In reality no more than few Sec
onds, q tall man arose from his seat
and advanced with outstretched
hand. Mr.. Blithers recognized Count
Quinnox. the minister Of war. he
shook that friendly hand with q fer
vor that must have surprised the
count. Never in all his life had he
been 30 glad to see any one.
~Let me introduce you to my COL
leagues. Mr.. Blithers." said the count
"Happy. I'm sure." mumbled Mr..
Blithers. To save his life he couldn't
tell what had got into him. He had
1sver acted like this before.
No one offered to shake hands with
him, although each rose politely.
even graciously. They even smiled.
He remembered that very well after
ward. He suddenly realized what
had got into him. 1t was respect.
"a chair, Franz" said the white
gaupt man who was called
Baron Romano. "Will you sit here.
Mr.. Blithers?"
Mr.. Blithers sat down. he was
rather pleased to find that the big
chair was not meant for him. A
swift intuition told him that It was
reserved for the couutry's ruler.
"The prince signed the contracts
just before you arrived. Mr.. Bdth-
ers," said Baron Romano. "The seal
has been affixed to each Of the docu-
ments, and your copy Is ready for de-
livery at any time"
Mr.. Blithers recovered himself
"You may send 1t to the
hotel, baron. at any time tomorrow.
My lawyers will have q look at It."
Then he made haste to explain: "Not
that 1t is really necessary. but just
as matter Of FORM" He sent an in
vestigating glance around the room.
"The prince has retired" said the
baron, divining the thought "He
does not remain for the discussions. I"
Glancing at the huge old clock above
the door, the prime minister assumed
q most businesslike air. ut will
doubtless crafty you to know that
three-fourths Of the bonds have been
deposited. Mr.. Blithers. and the re-
mainder will be gathered in during
the week. A week will give them SUI
Acient time, will It not. Count Laz-
xar?"
II may safely say that all the bonds
will be In our hands by next Tues
day at the latest" said the minister
Of the treasury. he was q thin. as
cetio man; his keen eyes were hxed
rather steadily upon Mr.. Blithers.
After q moments pause he went on:
1--WE are naturally interested in your
extensive purchases Of our outstand-
ing bonds, Mr.. Blithers. refer to
the big blocks you have acquired In
London, Paris and Berlin"
"Well, Investment, that's all. Your
credit Is sound and your resources
unuuestioned. ''our bonds gilt edge"
sIt is most gratifying to Graustark
to know that you value our securities
70 highly as a legacy" said Count
Lazzar suavely. "May I venture the
hope, however, that your life may be
prolonged beyond the term OF their
existencef They expire In very
few years-a dozen. In fact"
"Oh, I think can hang on that
long" said Mr.. Blithers, little more
at ease. He was saying to himself
that these fellows were not 30 bad
after all. "Still one never knows. ]
may be dead In q year. My daughter
but, Of course. you will pardon me
II I don't 60 into my private Affairs.
I fear I have already said too much"
"On the contrary, sir. we are al
only too willing to be edined. The
workings of an intelligence such a
yours cannot fail to be Of interest t.
us who are 80 lacking in the power
10 cope with great undertakings"
n am only too willing. my lords, te
give you the benefit Of my expert
ence."
The prime minister tapped refec'
lively upon the table top with hi
fingers for q moment or two.
sThank you," he said. 1--WE are a
this very moment in something Of
ouandary in respect to the renewal
Of . treaty with one Of our neigh
bors. For the past twenty years w
have BEEN in alliance with our mex
door neighbors, Axphain on tho nortl
and Dawsbergen on the south and
east. The triple alliance win enc
this year unless renewed. Up to tn
present our relations have been mos
amiable. .Axphain stands ready q
extend our mutual protective agree
ment for another term Of years, bu
Dawsbergen Is lukewarm and IN
clined to withdraw"
"What's the grievance" inquires
Mr.. Bl!thers bluntly. he was edgint
into familiar waters now. "What
the matter with Dawsbergen1 Mon
ey controversy?"
"Not at ALL" said Lamar hastily.
~Why not let 'em withdraw salt
Mr. Blithers. 1--WE can get alonl
without them"
There was Q general uplifting o
heads ct the use Of the pronoun AM
. more fixed concentration OF gaze.
The baron leaned forward, still
tapping the table top with his long
aim dngers.,
~The report that Prince Robin I
to marry your daughter. Mr.. Blith
era, has reached the Prince Of DAVIS
bergen's ears. Il Ii only natural thu
he should feel rssentful. For hfteel
years there has been an understand
ing that the Crown Princess Of DAVIS
bergen and the Prince OF 0raustazl
were one day TO be welded to sacl