Butzow saluted and the Princess Emma curtsied, as the king turned and, slipping his arm through that of Prince Ludwig, walked away in the direction of the royal apartments.  Once at the king’s desk Barney turned toward the chancellor.  In his mind was the determination to save Lutha if Lutha could be saved.  He had been forced to place the king in a position where he would be helpless, though that he would have been equally as helpless upon his throne the American did not doubt for an instant.  However, the course of events had placed within his hands the power to serve not only Lutha but the house of Von der Tann as well.  He would do in the king’s place what the king should have done if the king had been a man.

“Now, Prince Ludwig,” he said, “tell me just what conditions we must face.  Remember that I have been at Blentz and that there the King of Lutha is not apt to learn all that transpires in Lustadt.”

“Sire,” replied the chancellor, “we face a grave crisis.  Not only is there within Lutha the small force of Austrian troops that surround Blentz, but now an entire army corps has crossed the border.  Unquestionably they are marching on Lustadt.  The emperor is going to take no chances.  He sent the first force into Lutha to compel Serbian intervention and draw Serbian troops from the Austro-Serbian battle line.  Serbia has withheld her forces at my request, but she will not withhold them for long.  We must make a declaration at once.  If we declare against Austria we are faced by the menace of the Austrian troops already within our boundaries, but we shall have Serbia to help us.

“A Serbian army corps is on the frontier at this moment awaiting word from Lutha.  If it is adverse to Austria that army corps will cross the border and march to our assistance.  If it is favorable to Austria it will none the less cross into Lutha, but as enemies instead of allies.  Serbia has acted honorably toward Lutha.  She has not violated our neutrality.  She has no desire to increase her possessions in this direction.

“On the other hand, Austria has violated her treaty with us.  She has marched troops into our country and occupied the town of Blentz.  Constantly in the past she has incited internal discord.  She is openly championing the Blentz cause, which at last I trust your majesty has discovered is inimical to your interests.

“If Austria is victorious in her war with Serbia, she will find some pretext to hold Lutha whether Lutha takes her stand either for or against her.  And most certainly is this true if it occurs that Austrian troops are still within the boundaries of Lutha when peace is negotiated.  Not only our honor but our very existence demands that there be no Austrian troops in Lutha at the close of this war.  If we cannot force them across the border we can at least make such an effort as will win us the respect of the world and a voice in the peace negotiations.

“If we must bow to the surrender of our national integrity, let us do so only after we have exhausted every resource of the country in our country’s defense.  In the past your majesty has not appeared to realize the menace of your most powerful neighbor.  I beg of you, sire, to trust me.  Believe that I have only the interests of Lutha at heart, and let us work together for the salvation of our country and your majesty’s throne.”