These ignorant men have greatly disturbed the preparations for your majesty’s departure.”
“For my departure?”
“For whom else would I prepare a boat? What other reason could I have for supervising the safe conduct of your majesty’s sceptre, and of the crown which the officers have omitted to bring from the guard-room.”
“I don’t believe you, Ali.”
“Your majesty wrongs himself. You are a distinguished man, educated in Europe—not like these low soldiers. Would you have trusted me had I been unworthy? Could I, a poor Indian, hope to deceive a distinguished gentleman educated in Europe? Send these low men out and I will explain everything to you.”
The officers of the guard had listened uneasily to these alien sentences; now at Seth’s command they withdrew their men. “Shall I make preparations for the execution, Majesty?”
“Yes… no… I will tell you when. Stand by for further orders below, Major.”
The two officers saluted and left the room. When they had gone Ali sat down opposite his master and proceeded at his ease. There was no accusation or reproach in the Emperor’s countenance, no justice or decision, trust or forgiveness; one emotion only was apparent in the dark young face before him, blank terror. Ali saw this and knew that his case was won. ‘
‘Majesty, I will tell you why the officers have arrested me. It is to prevent your escape. They are plotting to sell you to the enemy. I know it. I have heard it all from one of the corporals who is loyal to us. It was for this reason that I prepared the boat. When all was ready I would have come to you, told you of their treachery and brought you away safely.’
“But, Ali, you say they would hand me over to the enemy. Am I then really beaten?”
“Majesty, all the world knows. The British General Connolly has joined Prince Seyid. They are there on the hills together now. Tomorrow they will be in Matodi.”
“But the Tank?”
“Majesty, Mr. Marx the distinguished mechanic who made the tank, fled last night, as you well know.”
“Connolly too. Why should he betray me? I trusted him. Why does every one betray me? Connolly was my friend.”
“Majesty, consider the distinguished general’s position. What would he do? He might conquer Seyid and your majesty would reward him, or he might be defeated. If he joins Seyid, Seyid will re-ward him, and no one can defeat him. How would you expect a distinguished gentleman, educated in Europe, should choose?”
“They are all against me. All traitors. There is no one I can trust.”
‘Except me, Majesty.”
“I do not trust you. You, least of all.”
“But you must trust me. Don’t you understand. If you do not trust me there will be no one. You will be alone, quite alone.”
“I am alone. There is no one.”
“Then since all are traitors, trust a traitor. Trust me. You must trust me. Listen. It is not too late to escape. No one but I knows of the boat. The Armenian Youkoumian is dead. Do you understand, Majesty? Give the order to the guards to let me pass. I will go to where the boat is hidden. In an hour I will have it here, under the sea wall. Then when the guard is changed you will join me. Don’t you understand. It is the only chance. You must trust me. Otherwise you will be alone.”
The Emperor stood up. “I do not know if I can trust you. I do not think there is any one I can trust. I am alone. But you shall go. Why should I hang you? What is one life more or less when all are traitors. Go in peace.”
“Your majesty’s faithful servant.”
Seth opened the door; again the scamper of the retreating spy.
“Major.”
“Majesty.”
“Ali is to go free. He may leave the fort.’
“The execution is cancelled?”
“Ali may leave the fort.”
“As your majesty commands.” Major Joab saluted. As Ali left the lighted room he turned back and addressed the Emperor.
“Your majesty does well to trust me.”
“I trust no one… I am alone.”
The Emperor was alone. Faintly on the night air he heard the throbbing of drums from the encamped army. Quarter past two. Darkness for nearly four hours more.
Suddenly the calm was splintered by a single, shrill cry—a jet of sound, spurting up from below, breaking in spray over the fort, then ceasing. Expressive of nothing; followed by nothing; no footsteps; no voices; silence and the distant beat of the tomtoms.
Seth ran to the door. “Hullo! Who is there? What is that? Major! Officer of the guard.” No answer. Only the inevitable scuffle of the retreating spy. He went to the window. “Who’s there? What has happened? Is there no one on guard?”
A long silence.
Then a quiet voice from below. “Majesty?”
