ally estrange the one person in all
Maasau whose help was necessary to the success of his plans and hopes.
It is to be doubted whether the Count's ineptitude did not disgust the
Chancellor more thoroughly than his treachery towards Valerie.

Selpdorf was at no time a man who made up his mind irrevocably.
Astuteness sometimes keeps step with uncertainty. To a clever man so
many sides of a question are visible. On all counts he was now prepared
to yield to Valerie's wishes; perhaps looking ahead even in that
moment, he saw a fresh combination before him, which, while quite
equally safe and useful to himself, omitted Count Sagan.

The Chancellor raised his eyes. At this moment--diplomatically--he was
superb. He had an air of sagacious decision, an air of holding a
master-stroke in reserve, whereas he was in reality merely retiring to a
negative position to wait upon events.

'Tell me the story,' he said.

'There is nothing further to tell,' replied Rallywood. 'Mademoiselle has
given you the main facts. But for her Maasau would to-day be a province
of Germany, in fact if not in name.

'I have been misinformed and deceived in an incomprehensible manner,'
the Chancellor said emphatically. There was still the matter of
Counsellor's despatches. Nothing was now to be gained by keeping them,
whereas by giving them back to the old diplomatist, Maasau was sure to
profit for the time at least. The difficulty was to get rid of the
packet without loss of prestige to himself. 'Now as to Major
Counsellor's despatches,' he added doubtfully.

'You will send them back to him,' said Valerie eagerly.

'You cannot see the difficulty of my position.' The Chancellor laid his
hand upon her shoulder. 'To be frank with you, and in confidence,
Captain Rallywood, I have not been ignorant that an understanding
existed between Count Sagan and the Baron von Elmur. I have even been
obliged to countenance it to a certain extent. As you know, they are
aware that these despatches have been sent to me. If I use them as my
daughter suggests, I need scarcely point out that trouble must ensue,
since I, more or less, represent Maasau. Now we cannot afford to offend
Germany. She only awaits a pretext to hurl down her army of occupation
upon us. Had I never had those despatches the way might have been
easier.'

His glance at Rallywood held a large reproach.

'But, father, in honesty and justice'--

'It is a case of private justice as opposed to nation