and, the Guard resent the intrusion of
foreigners, neither are they--mild-mannered.'

Elmur considered.

'The chances were in favour of trouble certainly. Had there been trouble
Rallywood might have disposed of some of our chief difficulties for us,'
he remarked, with a cynical smile.

'He might also have been disposed of himself,' said Selpdorf, 'and he is
the one human being for whom the good Counsellor has the slightest
regard. In politics it is necessary to consider the personal equation.
To touch Counsellor in his weakest point would have been to alienate
England at the convenient moment.'

'All that might have been true'--Elmur shrugged his shoulders;
'unluckily we must face things as they actually are.'

'Even now Rallywood has his uses. The Guard is composed of the flower of
our nobility--they are not to be tempted. At least that is my opinion,
although I believe Count Sagan holds differently. But this Rallywood is
a soldier of fortune, a mercenary. You perceive?'

Elmur stroked his chin dubiously.

'I am very much afraid he belongs to the wrong breed. However, I would
wish to point out that it will be essential to carry through this matter
quickly. If the Duke could be persuaded to accept the scheme of
reversion, the whole arrangement would be completed before the world was
the wiser.'

'It is the simplest plan, and therefore the best. But what will England
say? Counsellor is here, that in itself speaks.'

'Neither England nor the good Counsellor can touch an accomplished fact.
As they say in their own idiom, "Possession is nine parts of the law."
It remains with us to make the fact.'

Selpdorf arose.

'Your Excellency will excuse me. It is time to start for the palace.
To-day his Highness the Duke holds a review of the Guard. I will if
possible sound him on the subject which interests us both. Should that
fail, we must consider the alternative scheme.'

Half-an-hour later the two men met again as they dismounted in the
courtyard of the palace. They approached each other courteously.

'There stands the real obstacle to our success,' said Elmur in a low
tone.

Selpdorf followed the German Minister's glance. Standing there, in the
fire-light of the guard-room, was the tall figure of Anthony Unziar,
waiting with haughty stiffness for the appearance of the Duke.

'His Highness's gentlemen, the Maasaun Guard,' went on Elmur with a
bitter sneer, 'the impersonation of an arrogant militarism!'

'Se