killed in front of the castle gates, from which he had sallied in
a last, brave attempt to beat off the conquerors. A bronze
statue now marks the spot on which he fell. The Princess, his
wife, was my sister, and as I held the portfolio of finance, it
was through me that the city surrendered, bringing the siege to
an end. Fifteen years ago this autumn--the twentieth of
November, to be explicit--the treaty of peace was signed in
Sofia. We were compelled to cede a portion of territory in the
far northeast, valuable for its mines. Indemnity was agreed upon
by the peace commissioners, amounting to 20,000,000 gavvos, or
nearly $30,000,000 in your money. In fifteen years this money
was to be paid, with interest. On the twentieth of November,
this year, the people of Graustark must pay 25,000,000 gavvos.
The time is at hand, and that is why we recall the war so
vividly. It means the bankruptcy of the nation, gentlemen."

Neither of his listeners spoke for some moments. Then Lorry
broke the silence.

"You mean that the money cannot be raised?" he asked.

"It is not in our treasury. Our people have been taxed so sorely
in rebuilding their homes and in recuperating from the effect of
that dreadful invasion that they have been unable to pay the
levies. You must remember that we are a small nation and of
limited resources. Your nation could secure $30,000,000 in one
hour for the mere asking. To us it is like a death blow. I am
not betraying a state secret in telling you of the sore straits
in which we are placed, for every man in the nation has been made
cognizant of the true conditions. We are all facing it