his hand in a gesture that halted the officer. The emperor seemed
interested, but in no way angered at the girl's attitude.

"Let us inquire," he said in a smooth, pleasant voice, "why this young
woman refuses to do homage to her sovereign," and he put the question
himself directly to her.

She answered him in Abyssinian, but brokenly and with an accent that
betrayed how recently she had acquired her slight knowledge of the
tongue.

"I go on my knees to no one," she said. "I have no sovereign. I
myself am sovereign in my own country."

Menelek, at her words, leaned back in his throne and laughed
uproariously. Following his example, which seemed always the correct
procedure, the assembled guests vied with one another in an effort to
laugh more noisily than the emperor.

The girl but tilted her chin a bit higher in the air--even her back
proclaimed her utter contempt for her captors. Finally Menelek
restored quiet by the simple expedient of a frown, whereupon each loyal
guest exchanged his mirthful mien for an emulative scowl.

"And who," asked Menelek, "are you, and by what name is your country
called?"

"I am Victory, Queen of Grabritin," replied the girl so quickly and so
unexpectedly that I gasped in astonishment.

9

Victory! She was here, a slave to these black conquerors. Once more I
started toward her, but better judgment held me back--I could do
nothing to help her other than by stealth. Could I even accomplish
aught by this means? I did not know. It seemed beyond the pale of
possibility, and yet I should try.

"And you will not bend the knee to me?" continued Menelek, after she
had spoken. Victory shook her head in a most decided negation.

"You shall be my first choice, then," said the emperor. "I like your
spirit, for the breaking of it will add to my pleasure in you, and
never fear but that it shall be broken--this very night. Take her to
my apartments," and he motioned to an officer at his side.

I was surprised to see Victory follow the man off in apparent quiet
submission. I tried to follow, that I might be near her against some
opportunity to speak with her or assist in her escape. But, after I
had followed them from the throne room, through several other
apartments, and down a long corridor, I found my further progress
barred by a soldier who stood guard before a doorway through which the
officer conducted Victory.

Almost immediately the officer reappeared and start