ideration, his
people must supply his place. Do not misunderstand my words!' for at
length a blacker frown passed over the iron face of the listener. 'My
meaning is not to hurt the Duke at all; our one wish is to urge upon him
the only course left for the safety of the country. To that end we must
all combine. So long as his Highness believes he can depend on his
Guard to back him, he will hold out against even the most reasonable
demands. Therefore the Guard must be with us.'

'I am not the colonel of the Guard,' said Colendorp quietly. Sagan took
this in some form as an agreement with his views, some surrender on the
part of the Guardsman, and he broke out into a flood of speech.

'No, but Wallenloup! A pig-headed old fool, who would never be brought
to see an inch either side of his oath of allegiance, but would rush
blindly on before the Duke to his death, and to the destruction of
Maasau--to anywhere! Colendorp, Ulm being away, you are the senior
officer, failing Wallenloup. It is not outside the possibilities of the
game that you would find yourself in command of the Guard when all was
said and done. The highest ambition of a Maasaun is yours if you will
promise us your help in this struggle! A struggle, mind you, not of
selfish motives nor for self-aggrandisement, but for Maasau the Free!'
He stuttered in his eagerness and then stood waiting for the reply.

'And if the Duke does not consent to--any--changes?' asked Colendorp
coldly.

At this juncture Elmur interposed.

'The Count will ex----'

But Sagan was rushing his fences now like a vicious horse. Having once
given voice to his ambitions he had no longer the power to rein in his
speech.

'By your leave, Baron von Elmur, I will speak! Colendorp, you are a man
to whom the world may yet give much. Your one chance is being offered to
you--here--to-night. The men will follow you if you give the word, and
Wallenloup, well, Wallenloup must upon that occasion absent himself. Use
your influence with the other officers. They are not to be bribed, of
course, but in the cause of the country each man would find his services
well rewarded. Think before you answer me, man! Duke Gustave is sunk in
pleasure and has sold the country over and over again to the highest
bidder, and only got out of his share of the bargain by Selpdorf's
infernal cleverness. This time we will play an open game. With Germany
to stand by us, we have nothing to fear!'

'And if His Highness w