a few of us know the truth to be the contrary. For the sake of your

prestige you must take some step to counteract this belief and stamp

it out for good and all. I have planned a way--hear it.

"Von der Tann's hatred of Peter of Blentz is well known. No man in

Lutha believes that he would permit you to have any intercourse with

Peter. I have brought from Blentz an invitation to your majesty to

honor the Blentz prince with your presence as a guest for the

ensuing week. Accept it, your majesty.

"Nothing could more conclusively prove to the most skeptical that

you are still the king, and that Von der Tann, nor any other, may

not dare to dictate to you. It will be the most splendid stroke of

statesmanship that you could achieve at the present moment."

For an instant the king stood in thought. He still feared Peter of

Blentz as the devil is reputed to fear holy water, though for

converse reasons. Yet he was very angry with Von der Tann. It would

indeed be an excellent way to teach the presumptuous chancellor his

place.

Leopold almost smiled as he thought of the chagrin with which Prince

Ludwig would receive the news that he had gone to Blentz as the

guest of Peter. It was the last impetus that was required by his

weak, vindictive nature to press it to a decision.

"Very well," he said, "I will go tomorrow."

It was late the following day that Prince von der Tann received in

his castle in the Old Forest word that an Austrian army had crossed

the Luthanian frontier--the neutrality of Lutha had been violated.

The old chancellor set out immediately for Lustadt. At the palace he

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