Part 34 (1/2)
”Proceed, Effenden Pascha.”
”Your Majesty has heard the news from Bekal?”
Ughtred shook his head.
”I have heard nothing!”
The Turk raised his hands. It was incredible!
”Yesterday,” he announced, ”a party of my Turks riding harmlessly along the frontier were attacked without warning by a large company of mounted Thetians, and cut to pieces.”
”It is amazing,” the King declared. ”Was no provocation given? Were the Turks unarmed?”
Effenden Pascha was clear on both points. They were simply a party of surveyors accompanied by a few soldiers. They were set upon without the slightest warning.
”It is strange,” the King remarked, ”that I should have heard nothing of this. It is stranger still, Effenden Pascha, that in my own capital you should first have received tidings of such gravity.”
The yellow-skinned Turk did not flinch. He bore the thrust without the least sign of disquietude.
”I myself,” he announced, ”heard only by telegrams from Bekal ten minutes ago. One of the survivors galloped post-haste thither immediately after the affair. I have hastened to present the demands of my master the Sultan.”
”You lose no time,” Ughtred remarked, quietly.
The Turk shrugged his shoulders.
”The affair is of great importance,” he said. ”My master will demand the execution of capital punishment upon all the leaders, and an indemnity of ten million piastres.”
”Your august master,” Ughtred remarked, ”has lost no time in formulating his demands. My reply to you is this. Immediately I learn the details of the affair I will consider your proposal.”
The Amba.s.sador, who had remained standing, bowed.
”That is to say,” he remarked, softly, ”that at present you decline to offer me my satisfaction or to discuss the matter with me.”
”Exactly,” Ughtred answered. ”If the affair turns out according to your telegram I shall at once offer to you my profound regrets, and such reparation as is within my power. I will communicate with you directly I hear.”
The Amba.s.sador bowed once more, and there was a steely glint in his eyes.
”I fear,” he said, ”that the delay will not be pleasing to my august master!”
”It is unavoidable,” the King answered. ”You agree with me, Brand?”
Brand, who had been sitting in the alcove before a writing-table hidden by a curtain, looked out and a.s.sented gravely.
”Most certainly, your Majesty.”
The Turk started. His eyes flashed.
”So!” he exclaimed. ”We have been overheard.”
”Mr. Brand is an Englishman of distinction,” the King said, softly. ”I have appointed him for the present my private secretary. All affairs of State, therefore, are known to him.”
The Turk bowed low. It was no fool, after all, then, with whom he had to do. He went out thoughtfully. The presence of the Englishman had impressed him. In the council room he pa.s.sed the Duke of Reist hurrying through to the presence of the King.