hinking of the late king?" said Gorman. "They're not
the least loyal to him. They deposed him, you know. In fact by his
account--I wasn't there myself at the time--but he told me that they
tried to hang him. He says that if they ever catch him they certainly
will hang him. He doesn't seem to have hit it off with them."

Sir Bartholomew waved these considerations aside.

"An emotional and excitable people," he said, "but, believe me, Mr.
Gorman, warm-hearted, and capable of devotion to a trusted leader. They
will rally round the king, if----"

"I'm not at all sure," said Gorman, "that the king will care about going
there to be rallied round. It's a risk, whatever you say."

"I appreciate that point," said Sir Bartholomew. "Indeed it is just
because I appreciate it so fully that I am asking for your advice and
help, Mr. Gorman. You know the king. You are, I may say, his friend."

"Pretty nearly the only friend he has," said Gorman.

"Exactly. Now I, unfortunately--I fear that the king rather dislikes
me."

"You weren't at all civil to him when he offered you the Order of the
Pink Vulture; but I don't think he has any grudge against you on that
account. He's not the sort of man who bears malice. The real question
is--what is the king to get out of it? What are you offering him?"

"The Allies," said Sir Bartholomew, "would recognise him as the King of
Megalia, and--er--of course, support him."

"I don't think he'd thank you for that," said Gorman, "but you can try
him if you like."

Sir Bartholomew, on reflection, was inclined to agree with Gorman. Mere
recognition, though agreeable to any king, is unsubstantial, and the
support suggested was evidently doubtful.

"What else?" He spoke in a very confidential tone. "What other
inducement would you suggest our offering? We are prepared to go a long
way--to do a good deal----"

"Unfortunately for you," said Gorman, "the king is pretty well off at
present. He got L6,000 three weeks ago out of Bilkins--the man who ran
the egg swindle--and until that's spent he won't feel the need of money.
If you could wait six weeks--I'm sure he'll be on the rocks again in six
weeks--and then offer a few thousand----"

"But we can't wait," said Sir Bartholomew. "Affairs in the Near East are
most critical. Unless the Megalian Army acts at once----"

"In that case," said Gorman, "the only thing for you to do is to try
Madame Ypsilante."

"That woman!" said Sir Bartholomew. "I rea