The Spectator., 1916-03-14
TWENTIETH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER LXx.
The Broken Treaty.


 In the palace of Gretzhoffen, King MichaePs friends and eourtiers, King Michaels officials, at last began slowly to recover from the period of dissipa- tion into which they had plunged as an expression of their relief from the armed menace so recently at their walls. There is 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 fillip to their besotted brains.
 Alone among all these others the prime minister of Gretzhoffen retained somewhat of his wits. Perhaps a 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 he 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 it's 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 stupefied 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 obsession that he was celebrating a great victory of the GretZhoffen arms and the 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 so mysteriously disappeared.
 Across the narrow neutral lands which divided these two kingdoms, wonder in the capital of Grahoffen, a quite different state of affairs held
  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 a temporary expedient to extricate him self from a 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 at length that dreaded interview was no longer to be evaded. He hesitated, and as he did so his monarch guessed his news was none too good.
 "Well, well, Sachio, what is it that my majesty is to hear?" demanded Cortislaw. More bad news? You have not won the secret-you have lost our last opportunity"
 Sire, it is true! Thus far have failed. But still"
 You ask more time! Do you think time is as inexhaustible as a river Let me tell you, it passes, with our hopes, with wings. Time-more time that is what you cannot have!"
 But, your majesty"
 Away with you, Sachio! I have parleyed with you for the last time, If I did not need you as an officer, your head indeed should hang on our gates as a warning to other failures"
 How can I serve your majesty?" asked Sachio humbly glad enough to feel his head safe on his shoulders for yet another hour.
 Gall out our army! Mobilize at once to the last man! See that the guns are ready with full ammunition trains. Call in the officers at once See to 1t also that the ships are ready. We will attack at once by land and ses. Get you at once to the depart ment of our navy, when you have fin ished your orders for the land forces We must move at once"
 "Whither, your majesty?"
 Where else, if not against Gretz- hoffen? If you could not find their secret at your leisure, I will blow down their towers and look among the ruins myself for whatever secrets they may hold. The gods of my ancestors would not let them rest in their graves If l accepted this situation as it rests for us today"
 A csstain relief came to the soul