“You mean Von Ritz?” The question came from Italy’s delegate.

Jusseret bowed his head.  “Von Ritz,” he affirmed.

Don Alphonso Rodriguez laughed with a note of incredulity.  “And how do you propose,” he demanded, “to persuade this loyal adviser of Karyl to accept a deputyship at the hands of Karyl’s enemies?”

Again Jusseret smiled.  “It will be Von Ritz or a foreigner,” he explained.  “We must convince him that his beloved Kingdom can henceforth be only a province in any event—­that it may prosper under his guidance or suffer under a more oppressive hand.  That done, his patriotism will prove our ally.  We have only to convince him that no member of Karyl’s house can reign and live—­and that it must be himself or an alien.”

“It would have been as easy,” demurred the Portuguese delegate, “to have persuaded Von Ritz that Karyl himself should abdicate.”

Jusseret felt the hostility of the other members.  In spite of the realization, or perhaps because of it, he glanced from face to face with unruffled urbanity.

“Messieurs,” he suggested, “you overlook the hypotheses—­and in reaching conclusions hypotheses are serviceable.  You, gentlemen,” he continued blandly, “regarded the initial steps as impracticable.  What I volunteered to do, I have so far done.  We have one object.  The insatiate ambition of that nation, which we need not name, must not gain additional Mediterranean foothold.  Spain or Portugal, it is one to us, may decide the matter of suzerainty between themselves.”

“How do you mean to persuade Von Ritz?” insisted Don Alphonso.

“In the young Queen, who is the sole eligible candidate for the Throne, we have at heart an unwilling heir.  Von Ritz distrusts France.  Let the suggestion come from Portugal, a friend who can speak persuasively—­and convincingly.  Let him see the inevitable result unless he consents.  Let all which we have done be denounced.  Lead him to believe that he holds as steward”—­Jusseret raised his hands as he concluded—­“for Karyl’s heir, if there should be one.  These things are mere details.”

* * * * *

Benton worked his way slowly to San Francisco through the Far East.  It is not difficult to avoid newspapers between Ismailia and Manila, and with the dogged determination to let the day set by Cara answer all questions of his future, he had neither sought nor received tidings from Galavia.

He had not permitted himself great indulgence in hope.  The past months had brought too many disappointments, and he knew that they had all been but episodes leading up to the climax which must come with the day when he inquired for a letter at “Idle Times.”