"There must be no more fighting," she said imperiously. "I am a Schattenberg, I know, and come of a race accustomed to hold life as a little thing. I plotted against Karl, because my father and brother met their death at his hands. But Karl is dead, and his death is a horrible and ghastly memory to me. The men of Weissheim are my subjects, and I will not have their blood on my hands. Our Government must be respected, you say? We will win respect by mercy and tolerance, then, not by the cannon and the shambles!" Dr. Matti's countenance was a picture of contemptuous irritation. Bernhardt's head sank on his breast, as if he were deep in thought. The silence was broken by a loud rap at the door. Von Hügelweiler strode across the room and opened it. There was a moment's whispered consultation. "A messenger with urgent news, your Majesty," said Hügelweiler at length. "Admit him!" A man in plain clothes entered. Trafford recognised him as one of the waiters of the Hôtel Concordia. "Your news, Gottfried, quick," said Bernhardt. "You are interrupting the Council." The man bowed low to the Queen. "I am head of the Intelligence Department, your Majesty," he began, "and I have just received news of such import that I felt it necessary to interrupt your Majesty's Council in order to impart it." "Proceed," said Gloria with a slight inclination of her head. "Your Majesty, there is much trouble at Weissheim. The _burgherschaft_ has declared against your sovereignty. The troops refuse to take the oath of allegiance, and the young Prince is cheered wherever seen." "We know all this," said Bernhardt in some irritation. "Snow forts are being erected at every strategic point," the man went on, "and heavy pieces of ordnance are being put in position." "Naturally," said Bernhardt. "We did not imagine they would conduct civil war with popguns." "Is that all?" demanded Von Hügelweiler. "No, excellency. There is a report,--a strong report,--that the King is not dead; that he escaped with General Meyer and Herr Saunders, and has made his way to the Palace of the Brunvarad at Weissheim. The wires are cut, and the railway has been blown up in three places, including the great viaduct over the Niederkessel at Eselbruck. It is impossible to obtain direct confirmation, but the rumour is gaining ground even here that Karl somehow escaped our clutches and fled to Weissheim." At a sign from Bernhardt the man bowed and withdrew. "A ridiculous rumour, as we have reason to know," said Dr. Matti, appealing to the others. "We cannot produce his corpse," said Trafford. "No," said Bernhardt; "that was an oversight on our part. After consigning Karl to the embrace of the Iron Maiden we left his body to his friends. We should have occupied the Neptunburg there and then, and drowned old Meyer in the Palace fountain. As it was, our consciences got the better of us, we fled from the scene of our handiwork without completing our task."