“They had driven the King--the guests--the Guards--all of them into the mansion,” continued Kearns, with the same rapid enunciation, “and the air-ships attacked them there. My God! they blew great holes into the side and front of the house, and through these holes they made attack upon the Guards. Then I saw the men in the motors come up and charge into the mansion and I knew that all was over. Then, back I came here to you at full speed, but as I reached the palace I looked behind and saw that I was being pursued both on land and from above. I tell you they are hot upon us--in a few minutes they will be here!” The portieres parted as he spoke and Beatrice ran, eager and excited, into the room. “We are attacked! A swarm of men are pouring into the palace and the grounds. Where is Dorothy? Oh!--oh!--what is this!” and she ran to the figure lying upon the divan. “I must go to my post,” cried Mortimer, casting a desperate glance toward the divan. “I must rally the men to the defense of the palace!” “Too late!” exclaimed Kearns, turning sharply. As he spoke, there were sounds without and through the portieres and the main door of the Chancellerie a number of armed men, with stars at their shoulders, swarmed in, an officer at their head. “Surrender!” cried the officer, as his eyes fell upon Mortimer’s uniform. “Surrender!” repeated Mortimer, with rage. “How dare you utter that word in the King’s palace to an officer of the King’s Guard? Back, you horde of rebels, I say, or I will cut a path through you!” From behind him there came an exclamation of fear, a plaintive appeal to him to stop, but he heard it not and, with upraised sword, he advanced upon the men barring his passage. The officer raised his sword in an attitude of defense and a dozen rifles instantly flashed into position. “Halt! Do not fire!” came suddenly the sharp command from the rear and a tall and commanding figure forced its way through the ranks. An instant later, Mortimer found himself confronted by General Mainwarren. “Do not fire!” repeated General Mainwarren to his men. “I place this officer and all these here under my special protection.” “But I cannot--I will not--avail myself of your protection!” cried Mortimer, still standing with upraised sword. “I will force my way through to my men, or fall in the attempt!” “There will be no necessity for that,” said General Mainwarren, gently. “Your passage shall not be barred and you shall be free to go where you will. But,” he added, calmly, “it will be useless to seek your soldiers, for they are all dead.” “Dead!” repeated Mortimer aghast. From the grounds without came a great cry: “Long live the New Republic!” Before General Mainwarren could make answer to Mortimer’s exclamation, a file of men, with an officer in command, invaded the room.