"You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very
needlessly," he said. "You know quite well you will accept Frederick's
offer."
"Do you advise me to accept?" I demanded.
"Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?"
"You say that as my best friend?" I persisted.
"I do--and more; I urge it."
"I think I am growing childish," I said, "I can't make a decision; I'm
afraid of the Dark, as it were."
Courtney nodded. "That is precisely why I am able to see the matter
more clearly than you--there is no Dark to make me fearful."
"And my commission and American citizenship?"
Courtney smiled. "You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke
of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least,
the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army. That's a
trifle more than you are giving up, don't you think?"