"Gentlemen," said the General, rising to his feet, "I regret to have to approach you once more in reference to the pay of the officers and men of my command. I fear you will think them importunate, if not unreasonable. I am not here of my own volition, but as the mouthpiece of others. Neither have I incited them to make these demands for increased pay. The officers and men seem to have a high sense of their great importance in the present condition of public affairs. They openly declare that those they maintain in power are enjoying royal affluence, which they could not possess for a single day without their aid; and therefore they claim that they should be well paid." The General paused, and the Prince said, in his smoothest tones: "That is not an unreasonable view to take of the matter. What do they ask?" "I have here," replied the General, drawing a paper from his pocket, "a schedule of their demands, adopted at their last meeting." He handed it to the Prince. "You will see," he continued, "that it ranges from $5,000 per year, for the common soldiers, up through the different grades, to $25,000 per year for the commanding officer." Not a man at the Council table winced at this extraordinary demand. The Prince said: "The salaries asked for are high; but they will come out of the public taxes and not from our pockets; and if you can assure me that your command, in view of this increase of compensation, will work with increased zeal, faithfulness and courage on behalf of law, order and society, I, for one, should be disposed to accede to the demand you make. What say you, gentlemen?" There was a general expression of assent around the table. The commander of the Demons thanked them, and assured them that the officers and men would be glad to hear that their request was granted, and that the Council might depend upon their valor and devotion in any extremity of affairs. "Have you an abundant supply of the death-bombs on hand?" asked the Prince. "Yes, many tons of them," was the reply. "Are they well guarded?" "Yes, with the utmost care. A thousand men of my command watch over them constantly." "Your air-vessels are in perfect order?" "Yes; we drill and exercise with them every day." "You anticipate an outbreak?" "Yes; we look for it any hour." "Have you any further questions to ask General Quincy?" inquired the Prince. "None." He was bowed out and the door locked behind him. The Prince returned to his seat.