n all I can say is that it is a darned shame," Mr. Van Decht
declared, hotly. "Don't you trouble yourself about my investments. If
the Turks disturb my property I guess my country will know how to make
them pay. Your Majesty, those Turks must be whipped."

"While we've a yard to stand upon or a man to fight we shall do our
best. I have been a soldier, as you know, all my life, and I have no
sentimental hatred of war. But my country--ah well, it is so different
when it is your own people who are going to die upon their homesteads,
your own womenkind who must go sorrowing through life widowed and
orphaned. I don't suppose there is anything particularly beautiful
about Theos," the King continued, thoughtfully, "yet to me her quiet
country places, her vineyards and farms, her whole rural life has
seemed so simple and charming. I have seen my people at their play and
at their daily tasks, a cheerful, honest people, light-hearted and
fond of pleasure perhaps--why not? The thought of a blackened country,
her vineyards and corn-fields red with blood, the homesteads in
flames, my poor peasants fighting to the death against cruel odds--it
is hideous! I do not dare to think of it or it will unman me. Only I
pray to the God of our fathers that this thing will not seem just to
the great liberty-loving nations and that they will not see us wiped
out from the face of the earth."

There was a moment's silence. Mr. Van Decht was smoking vigorously.
Sara was silent, because she did not dare to speak. But her eyes were
eloquent. Ughtred threw away his cigar which had gone out, and lit
another.

"Come," he said, "I am getting an old woman. We must take the more
cheerful view of things. I came to you at once, because I wanted to
give you as much notice as possible."

"What do you mean?" Sara asked, softly.

"I mean that of course you must go away," Ughtred answered. "I cannot
tell how long the railway communication will remain uninterrupted. Mr.
Van Decht----"

He turned round and broke off in his speech. Mr. Van Decht had
disappeared. Sara and he were alone.

CHAPTER XXIX

Ughtred was, on the whole, a man ill versed in women's ways. Yet even
he was conscious of a subtle change in the girl who sat by his side.
The frank friendliness of her manner towards him, which had been a
constant barrier against any suggestion of more sentimental relations,
was for the moment gone. Her eyes were soft and her face was eloquent
with be