the four winds of Heaven, summon back your ancient House of Laws,
choose for yourselves a soldier King, one of the ancient and royal
race, who shall rule you as his forefathers did in times of peace, and
ride before you with drawn sword when the war clouds gather."

The babel of many voices broke loose. Reist felt his sister's fingers
close upon his arm.

"It is you who must be their King, Nicholas."

He shook his head. Then they saw that he would speak again, and the
murmur of voices died away. Reist leaned over towards them, and his
face was very pale. This was his renunciation.

"My people," he said, "listen. Many of you have heard of the war which
the English have been carrying on in Egypt. You have heard perhaps of
a Captain Erlito, who, with a dozen men, held a Nile fort for two days
against a thousand dervishes, and for this and other acts of valour
has won the Iron Cross. But this at least you do not know. Captain
Erlito is the assumed name of Ughtred of Tyrnaus, Prince of Theos."

The murmur of voices became a roar of acclamation. Then Nicholas of
Reist raised his voice at once.

"Listen, men of Theos," he cried. "Is it your will that I seek out for
you Prince Ughtred and offer him the throne of Theos? Think well
before you answer. He is a soldier, a brave and honest man, and he is
of the royal race of Tyrnaus, who for many generations have been Kings
of Theos. He will not sell you to Russia or beckon the hosts of the
Sultan across the mountains. Will you have him for your King?"

The square, nay, the city, rang with their passionate answer. Never
was anything more unanimous. Nicholas stepped back into the room. His
sister faced him with blazing eyes and cheeks dyed red with anger.

"Fool!" she cried, "fool! They would have made you King. They were
yours to do what you would with. You have been false to your destiny.
I will never forgive you, Nicholas."

He smiled curiously, and pointed upwards to that deep-engraven legend.

"My time," he said, "is not yet."

CHAPTER III

The lift went rumbling up to the topmost storey of the great block of
flats, and stopped at last with something of a groan. The gates were
opened, and Reist stepped out. He looked about him at the bare walls,
the stone floor, and shrugged his shoulders. Erlito was none too well
lodged then--soldiering had brought him some brief fame, but little
else. Then he suddenly smiled. The incongruity of the thing was
ridiculous. H