All night long the war-beacons of Theos reddened the sky and the
thunder of artillery woke strange echoes amongst the mountains. There
were three passes only through which the Turks could force their way
into the fertile plain which stretched from Theos southwards, and each
one, to their surprise, was found well guarded and fortified. A
simultaneous advance was repulsed with heavy loss. At Solika only, on
the far east, where the veteran General Kolashin was in command, the
first position was carried, but this temporary success was
counterbalanced by the immense losses inflicted on the advancing
columns from the second and more secure line of fortifications. Across
the plain a light railway from Theos all night long brought
reinforcements and stores to the different positions. Ughtred himself,
by means of an engine and fast horses, visited before daybreak the
three points of attack. He was present and himself directed the
successful resistance at Solika. He returned to Theos at daybreak
hopeful, and even with a certain sense of relief that the worst had
now come to pass.
Still in his uniform, stained with blood and dust, the King sat at a
small writing-table in his retiring-room reading the day's letters and
telegrams. Already he had been busy with tongue and pen. His appeal
for intervention, couched in dignified and measured terms, had been
written, signed, and dispatched by special messenger to England,
France, and Germany. For Ughtred had a very keen sense of proportion.
Courageous though he was, and confident in the bravery of his people,
he knew that his resistance unaided could only be a matter of time.
Hiram Van Decht, now a privileged person at the palace, came in to him
as he sat there.
"I guess you don't want to be bothered just now," he remarked,
apologetically, "but Sara's bound to know how things have gone so
far."
Ughtred wheeled round in his chair and welcomed his visitor.
"Cigars at your elbow," he said. "Help yourself."
Van Decht disregarded the invitation. He looked steadily at the King.
Then he rang the bell.
"You'll forgive the liberty, I know," he said, "but I'm going to tell
that flunkey of yours to fetch a flask of wine, and see you drink
some."
Ughtred smiled.
"I was just going to order something," he said. "I've had a hard
night. So far nothing has gone amiss. Our outposts were rushed at
Solika, but our main position was easily held."
Van Decht nodded.
"That's good! Any fighting at Althea Pass?"
"We are being heavily shelled there and at Morania, but I consider
that both places are almost impregnable. Solika is where we must
concentrate. You see we have treachery to fear there. It is a frontier
town and full of small Russian traders. Reist is garrisoning the
place, and General Dartnoff is in command of the forces holding the
Pass. Just now everything is quiet. I fancy they are waiting to bring
up more heavy guns."
Van Decht lit a cigar meditatively.
"This is what beats me," he remarked. "I can never figure out your
European politics, but I should never have thought that England and
Germany would have allowed a small, unoffending country to be overrun
and grabbed by a lot of heathen infidels."
Ughtred sighed.
"It is hard to understand," he said. "Only you must remember this.
Selfishness is the keynote of international politics, as of many other
things. A single Power is always afraid of moving for fear of
disturbing the balance of nations. Besides, they all know that this is
no war between Turkey and Theos. It is Russia who is pulling the
strings."
"That's all right," Mr. Van Decht admitted, "but I should say that
you've a sort of a claim on England. You're half an Englishman,
anyway. You've fought her battles. She's big enough to give you a
lift."
"If help comes from anywhere," Ughtred answered, "it will come from
England. I have appealed to the Powers, and to England especially. Mr.
Ellis has already been here, and he is representing my case strongly."
Wine was brought in, and food. Ughtred ate little, but smoked a cigar.
"What's the next move?" Mr. Van Decht asked.
"Well, I am waiting now for news from Reist," the King said. "We are
in telegraphic communication with Solika, and I can get there on my
engine in an hour. So long as we can hold Solika we are safe, for I
do not think that we can possibly be outflanked. Our whole southern
frontier only extends for forty miles, and there are only two
practicable passes."
"Reist anything of a soldier?" Mr. Van Decht asked after a brief
silence.
"For this sort of work--excellent!" Ughtred answered.
"You trust him?"
"As myself. I never knew a man more devoted to his country. It is his
religion! Why do you ask?"
Van Decht took his cigar from his mouth and regarded it thoughtfully.
"Sara doesn't like him!"
The King laughed.
"He's no lady's man."
"Sara has instinct," her father remarked. "Can't say I take to him
myself. There's a kink in the man somewhere."
Ughtred smiled.
"Well, it isn't in his loyalty or his bravery," Ughtred answered. "He
is my best soldier, my most capable adviser, and I owe him my
kingdom."
Van Decht abandoned the subject.
"I'll get along," he said, rising. "Take my advice. Lie down a bit
till your message comes along. You're looking pretty bad."
Ughtred smiled.
"The first day of war," he said, "even on a small scale, is the most
wearing. Later on we shall take things more easily. Only you must
remember, sir, that it is for the liberty of an ancient kingdom we
fight, not only for our own lives, but for the happiness of unborn
generations. I would sooner see Theos blotted out forever from the map
of Europe and the memory of man than have her exist a vassal state of
Russia."
Mr. Van Decht departed in respectful silence. If tradition or
sentiment appealed to him but slightly, he knew an honest man by
instinct, and he was fast drifting into a very close sympathy with his
future son-in-law.
There came word from Reist within the hour. Ughtred tore open the
envelope and spread out the cipher-book before him.
"No signs of movement on part of enemy. Scouts report big guns being
mounted on positions commanding ours. Solika restless. Have hung two
spies. General Dartnoff desires council of war this afternoon."