Once more the beacons flared in a long, lurid line from the
mountain-tops, rockets screamed into the night, and away from south of
Solika came the heavy roll of guns plainly to be heard in the anxious
city. Rumours were plentiful. The Turks were already streaming through
the passes! A great battle was on hand! Solika had fallen! The streets
and squares of Theos were filled with an excited and restless mob,
mostly composed of old men, children, and women, with a sprinkling of
foreigners. The outdoor _cafes_ were filled, people stood about in
little knots together, talking eagerly. Up at the railway station a
constant stream of refugees waited patiently for trains to take them
northwards.
There were no trams running, or carriages. The Government had
subsidized the horses, and most of the men had gone to the front.
All night long gangs of navvies in squads were working at the
fortifications by searchlight. From all the country places stores
were pouring in.
Towards morning the roar of distant artillery increased, and those who
listened keenly fancied that they could hear the sharper rattle of
Maxims and machine-guns. Trains began to crawl in from the front full
of wounded. From them something of the truth was gathered. The King
had made a forced march, himself had crossed the frontier, and
fiercely attacked the Turkish army. So far all had gone well. The
Turks were falling back, and had already lost two guns.
In the grey dawn Sara hastened to the hospital, which was already
almost full. The regular nurses were out at the front, and their
places were mostly taken by volunteers--the suggestion having come
from Sara herself. Everywhere the news was being eagerly discussed.
Solika was being turned into a military base. At Althea the position
had been so strengthened as to be now impregnable. The King was the
idol of his army, and the military fever burned fiercely.
At midday, news! A telegram from Solika announced that the King was
returning across the frontier, having completely scattered the Turkish
army, inflicted great loss upon them, and captured four guns. The Town
Master caused a copy of the telegram to be posted in the market-place,
and the bells of the Cathedral were rung. Later on it was whispered
about that the victory had come very near being turned into total and
irredeemable disaster. For the Thetians, chasing the flying Turks
through a difficult country, were suddenly met by an unexpected rally,
and stretching on both sides of them like a gigantic crescent was a
great army of reinforcements. With great skill Ughtred had extricated
his army, and regained the shelter of Solika. But the joy of their
victory was damped. The enemy were in strength which seemed absolutely
overwhelming.
Towards afternoon there came shouts from the railway station. Through
the crowd, which gave him clear passage, cheering vigorously, Ughtred
was driven towards the palace. He looked pale and dishevelled, and
his uniform showed that he had not been an idle spectator of the
fighting. He waved his hand affectionately to the crowd, but was
clearly preoccupied. At the palace he sent for his State Secretary and
Mr. Thexis, the leader of the Government party in the House of Laws.
An informal Council meeting was summoned, and hastily attended by the
leading members of the House.
* * * * *
An hour afterwards Sara was summoned from the midst of her work at the
hospital by an urgent note. At the Villa she found Ughtred waiting for
her.
"You," she cried, softly. "How dare you fetch me away from my work?"
Then, as a clearer impression of his appearance came to her, standing
in the white noonday sunshine, she became anxious.
"You are not hurt?" she cried. "Nothing has gone amiss?"
He tightened his clasp upon her hands.
"Hurt, no! I took too great care of myself. We have won our first
battle, too, Sara. My men fought splendidly."
She nodded.
"At the hospital," she said, "even the badly wounded are full of
enthusiasm. Tell me! You have more news, have you not?"
He nodded.
"We crossed the border in pursuit," he said, "and we saw with our own
eyes what the scouts who are coming in continually report. The whole
of the Turkish army has been mobilized, and is being massed upon our
borders. That is to say, two hundred thousand of the finest soldiers
in the world are almost at our gates. All told, we number sixteen
thousand."
The tears stood in her eyes. She pressed his hands silently.
"I'm afraid I don't understand these things," she said, "but an
unprovoked attack like this seems like a return to ancient history. It
is barbarous. Can you not appeal to the Powers?"
"That I have done," he answered, sadly, "but you must remember that
this is the fruit of Russia's intrigue. Turkey is only a catspaw. She
holds France, of course, and the eternal policy of Germany is to keep
friends with Russia. There is only England."
"England," she cried, hopefully. "Why you are half English yourself.
England will surely interfere."
"It is a great deal to ask," he answered, seriously. "My friendship
can be of little account to her, and it is asking her to risk a war
for the sake of an abstract principle. Diplomatically, England would
be very unwise to interfere. As a great and generous country I have
appealed to her. But, Sara, I have little hope."
"And if she does not?"
"If she does not I shall put the issue plainly before my people. If
they prefer a glorious death to serfdom, I too, being of their mind,
shall fight till this war becomes a massacre."
She smiled at him bravely.
"Europe will never permit it, dear," she said. "It would be too
terrible. See, I have faith in your destiny--and my luck. I am not
even afraid."
The courtyard rang with the sound of hoofs. A messenger from the
telegraph corps entered at the King's summons.
"Your Majesty," he announced, "I have to announce that an hour ago a
trainload of Cossacks, numbering about five hundred, arrived at the
frontier and demanded permission to continue their journey to Theos.
Captain Operman, in accordance with your instructions, demanded their
passport. They had none to give, but their colonel produced papers
which contained their route to Theos for the protection of the Russian
Embassy there. In further accordance with your Majesty's instructions,
Captain Operman then replied that Theos was in a perfectly peaceful
state, and the Russian Embassy was amply protected by its flag from
both belligerents. The colonel in command of the Cossacks replied that
his orders were absolute to proceed to Theos, and he had no
alternative but to obey them. Captain Operman replied that his orders
too were absolute, and he could not permit an armed body of men to
cross the frontier. In reply to this the Russians were ordered to at
once entrain. Captain Operman once more protested, and announced,
according to your Majesty's instructions, that any further advance on
the part of the Cossacks would constitute an invasion and be
recognized as an act of war. There being no reply to this, your
Majesty's instructions were successfully carried out to the letter."
"Tell me exactly what happened," Ughtred asked.
"The whole of the rolling-stock available was blown up and the railway
line destroyed beyond the possibility of immediate repair at a dozen
places. I regret to add that several of the Cossacks were slightly
injured by the explosion."
"And is there any message from Captain Operman with reference to
horses?" Ughtred asked.
"In this direction also," the messenger replied, "your Majesty's
instructions have been carefully carried out. The country has been
absolutely denuded of horses. It will be impossible for the Russians
to obtain more than a dozen at the outside."
"Captain Operman has carried out my instructions faithfully and well,"
Ughtred replied.
The messenger bowed.
"I was further desired to report, your Majesty," he added, "that word
has just arrived that a series of explosions have occurred at
different points along the line on the other side of the frontier.
Captain Operman makes no report to your Majesty concerning these, but
he desires me to say that their effect will be to retard all
communication with Russia for several days at least."
The King smiled.
"I am well served indeed," he said. "What has become of the Cossacks?"
"They are quartered at the station buildings, your Majesty. There is
no stock of provisions whatever in the vicinity, and in case they
should attempt to march to Theos all the farms _en route_ have been
warned to remove their cattle and stores."
"You will present my compliments and thanks to Captain Operman," the
King said, "and you will congratulate him on the success and spirit
with which he has carried out my orders. Further, you will request him
to report himself to me at headquarters at the earliest possible
opportunity."
The messenger bowed and withdrew. Ughtred rose and paced the room
thoughtfully.
"I expected this move of Domiloff's," he said, looking towards Sara.
"You see Theos itself is in a queer state. Every honest man who can
bear arms is at the front. There remain in the city only a horde of
Russian Jews, who I suspect have been drafted in a few at a time, and
are only waiting a signal from Domiloff to begin rioting."
He touched a bell.
"Let me speak to Mr. Ruttens," he ordered. "He was in the ante-room a
few minutes ago."
"What are you going to do?" Sara asked.
"I am going to try and arrest Domiloff," he answered. "I fear that it
is quite useless, but an attempt must be made. There will be some
mischief before long if he is left alone."
Sara rose up and came to his side.
"There are other traitors in the city besides Domiloff," she said, "if
what they are saying is true."
A deeper shadow fell upon the King's face.
"You mean the Reists?"
"It is common report."
"Nicholas of Reist has withdrawn his allegiance to me," Ughtred said.
"Yet I do not believe that he would be concerned in anything
absolutely traitorous. As for the Countess--I fear that I have
incurred her ill-will. She is friendly too, they say, with Domiloff. I
cannot see though what mischief she can do. Ruttens," he added,
turning towards the door, "are there sufficient police left in Theos
to effect the arrest of one man?"
Ruttens, grey-bearded, long since a pensioner, saluted the King
respectfully.
"Your Majesty," he answered, "it depends upon the man."
"The man is Baron Domiloff!"
Ruttens shook his head.
"Your Majesty," he said, "we can make the attempt. Yesterday it would
have been possible enough. But last night half the veterans and
weaklings who have been enrolled as special police deserted."
"Deserted!" the King exclaimed, frowning.
Ruttens smiled.
"Deserted in order to make their way to the front, your Majesty. Old
Kennestoff, who is eighty years old, got out his rifle and went, and a
dozen more well nigh his age. I myself----"
He hesitated. The King's face had cleared.
"You had my orders, Ruttens, and my special commission. A few good men
we must have in Theos."
"There are rascals enough, your Majesty," Ruttens said, with grave
face. "There are a good many aliens, too, whose presence here I cannot
understand. They pay their way, and hang round the squares in little
groups, always whispering to themselves. They call themselves farmers
and shopkeepers from the frontier, but there is little of the Thetian
in their faces to my mind. The city were healthier cleared of them,
your Majesty."
The King smiled bitterly.
"But how, my good Ruttens?" he exclaimed. "You and your few veterans
would be powerless against them."
Ruttens sighed.
"It is true, your Majesty," he answered. "To be frank, I have put them
down in my mind as creatures of Domiloff. And though to-day I will
endeavour to effect his arrest I fear very much that he is well
guarded against anything of the sort."
Once more the courtyard rang with the clatter of hoofs. There was
commotion below and in the palace.
"It is word from the front," the King cried.
The messenger stood before him.
"Your Majesty," he announced, "General Dartnoff has telegraphed that
he is engaged. He adds that there seems to be some extensive movement
preparing."
Ughtred tore himself away. Sara choked back a sob, and held out both
her hands. At the moment of parting they were alone.
"Good-bye, dear," she whispered. "Do your best and have faith. I am
not afraid for you or for Theos."
He kissed her and galloped away, followed by his few attendants. Her
cheerfulness was inspiring. His heart swelled with pride at the
thought of her. She had destroyed forever his lingering superstition
as to the obligations of race--she a daughter of the democracy with
the heart and courage of a queen. Ughtred had passed through his one
hour of weakness. As the engine with its one solitary carriage tore
across the plain to Solika a new and finer hopefulness was born in
him. Her words and her steadfast optimism had fired his blood. He
would fight his country's enemy so that for very shame Europe should
cry "Hold!"