"The accession of Ughtred of Tyrnaus is not approved of by my master. As I have explained, we cannot move ourselves, for the time is not yet ripe for a European war. This, however, we can undertake. If your master should refuse to recognize the new sovereign of Theos, and should think the time ripe for an effort to regain what was once a part of the Ottoman Empire, there shall be no interference. Russia will not interfere, and Russia will see that no other Power does. You follow me?"
"Perfectly," Effenden Pascha answered, quietly; "and afterwards?"
"The afterwards," Domiloff remarked, with a shrug of the shoulders, "is of your own making."
"Domiloff," he said, "so far all is well. But your price? Your master serves no one without a price. Wherein is to come your advantage?"
"We have none to gain," Domiloff answered. "Simply we object to a Tyrnaus once more upon the throne of Theos."
"There is still time," he said. "I go to pay my respects to King Ughtred."
"Not so," the Turk answered, pointing through the trees. "The palace is still a blaze of light."
"Do not be so hasty, my friend," he exclaimed.
"My country," Effenden Pasha answered, "is too often the tool of yours. We are to do the work, and at the last moment--the Bear's paw. We are to conquer Theos for Russia."
"You are entirely wrong," Domiloff declared earnestly. "The eventual possession of the country may become a matter of private treaty between your Court and mine, but I will give you the word of the Czar that if for any reason we should desire to occupy it you shall have a _quid pro quo_. You shall have a free hand in Asia Minor and a loan."
"You will give me pledges of this nature in writing?" Effenden Pascha asked.
The Turk walked to the window with a smile.
"Allah!" he exclaimed. "It will be good to hear once more the guns roar in the Balkans. We Turks, Domiloff, are a nation of soldiers, and these long intervals of peace are ill for us."
Outside there was a sudden tramp of feet. Into the square filed a company of soldiers. They halted in front of the house. The two men exchanged rapid glances.
"Heaven knows," Domiloff answered. "Listen!"
A thunderous summons at the door; voices in the hall. An officer in the uniform of the Thetian Guards entered, bearing a letter.