"I am here to see that the things which are coming are fairly reported from one quarter, at least," he answered. "I am going to stay, and if the trouble comes I am correspondent for the _New York Herald_, as well as the _Daily Courier_."
"That is very good news," the King said. "England and America are the champions of freedom throughout the world. I have fought for England, and if this wrong is done to me I shall appeal to her for justice."
A knock at the door. A young officer on the King's staff saluted.
"His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador craves the privilege of an immediate audience," he announced.
Effenden Pascha was breathless, and for such a phlegmatic individual seemed to be much disturbed.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I am here on a serious errand."
"Your Majesty has heard the news from Bekal?"
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 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 Ambassador, who had remained standing, bowed.