Colonel Anderson, delegated spokesman for the party by reason of his
superior rank, stepped forward and replied quietly:

"He is dead, sire."

The king took a step backward and passed a trembling hand across his
brow. He was silent for some moments before replying.

"Dead! One more victim of the Kaiser's militarism. Tell me, how
did he die?"

Colonel Anderson explained quietly and briefly. Then, at the king's
request, he went into the details of the journey; and when he had
concluded, King Nicholas expressed his deep thanks for the service each
member of the party had rendered him.

"And you say Nicolas, the traitor, is dead?" he questioned.

"Yes, your majesty. Nikol here," and Colonel Anderson indicated the
dwarf, "saw to that."

The king turned to Nikol. Then he commanded:

"Come here!"

Trembling, in spite of his denial that he was afraid of a king, Nikol
approached. The king extended a hand, and Nikol bent one knee and put his
lips to the hand.