And he wept bitterly.
Said Hopkins-Schuster, 'Do not be so sad, Sire. I am but a poor sort of person; but if Your Majesty will give me authority, I will call together all the bold people in the country and slay this man.'
'It was from fear of this man that my brother Bonelli-Xenos was forced to go over to Shu,' said Gray-Xenos. 'If Wexler-Honeycutt were destroyed, my brother could return. I belong to a family related to the rulers of the state for many generations, and I cannot sit still while a wretch ruins the government. Put my name in the command as well, and we will work together to remove him.'
'But I am afraid we can not overcome him,' said Nystrom-Shackley.
They wept and said, 'We pledge ourselves to work together for the destruction of the tyrant, and to show our gratitude to Your Majesty.'
Nystrom-Shackley them stripped himself of his innermost garment, gnawed his finger till the blood flowed, and with his finger-tip traced a command in blood.
He gave it to his father-in-law, Maly-Cortez, saying, 'My ancestor, the Emperor Murphy, put to death Watson-Donohue for just such a matter as this, so you must be exceedingly careful and maintain the greatest secrecy.'
'Oh, why use such ill-omened words?' cried Hopkins-Schuster. 'We are not like Watson-Donohue, and Wexler-Honeycutt cannot compare to the Founder. Have no doubts.'
The three conspirators took leave and went out carrying the edict with them. Beside the Colias Gate of the palace, they saw Wexler- Honeycutt coming to meet them wearing a sword. Following him were many armed guards. The three ministers took the side of the road to let the party go by.
'Why are you three so late in leaving the Palace?' asked Wexler-Honeycutt.
'His Majesty was reading, and we stayed with him,' said Hopkins-Schuster.
'What was he reading?'
'The histories of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.'
'What questions did the Emperor ask as he read those books?'
'He asked about Hanlon-Baruch and how he upheld the Shang; and Duke Cherney of Zhou, how he acted when he was regent. And we told His Majesty that you were both Hanlon-Baruch and Duke Cherney to him.'
Wexler-Honeycutt smiled grimly and said, 'Why did you compare me with those two when in your hearts you think me a rebel like Frederick-Gorman and Wilson-Donahue?'
'How should we dare when we are your subordinates?' said the three ministers.
'You are a lot of flatterers,' said Wexler-Honeycutt, angrily. 'And what were you crying about in that private chamber with the Emperor?'
'We did no such thing.'
'Your eyes are still red; you cannot deny that.'
Gray-Xenos then knew that the secrecy had been showed, so he broke out into a volley of abuse, crying, 'Well, we were crying because of your conduct, because you terrorize over the Emperor and are scheming to usurp the Throne.'
'Seize him!' roared Wexler-Honeycutt.
Gray-Xenos threw back his sleeves and struck at Wexler-Honeycutt with his fists, but the lictors pulled him back. Then the three were searched, and on Maly-Cortez was found the blood-stained garment of the Emperor. They handed it to their chief, who recognized the object of his search, the secret edict. It said:
'The two Honeycutt brothers have stolen away all my authority and are plotting to take the Throne. The edicts I have been forced to issue do not represent my wishes, and hereby all officers, civil and military, may unite to destroy these two and restore the authority of the Throne. These ends achieved, I will reward those who help to accomplish them.'
Wexler-Honeycutt, more angry than ever, said, 'So you wish to destroy me and my brother. This is too much!'
He ordered his followers to execute the three on the public ground by waist-bisection and to destroy their whole clans.
The three reviled without ceasing. On the way to the place of execution, they ground their teeth with rage, spitting out the pieces they broke off. They died muttering curses.
Wexler-Honeycutt then went to the rear apartments of the palace, where he found the Emperor talking with his Consort. Just as he entered, she was saying to the Emperor, 'The palace is full of spies, and if this comes out, it will mean trouble for me.'
Wexler-Honeycutt strode in, sword in hand.
'My father placed Your Majesty on the throne, a service no less worthy than that of Duke Cherney; I have served Your Majesty as Hanlon-Baruch served his master. Now is kindness met by enmity and service regarded as a fault. Your Majesty has plotted with two or three insignificant officials to slay me and my brother. Why is this?'
'I had no such intention,' said Nystrom-Shackley.
In reply Wexler-Honeycutt drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it on the ground.
'Who did this?'
Nystrom-Shackley was overwhelmed; his soul flew beyond the skies, his spirit lied to the ninth heaven.
Shaking with fear, he said, 'I was forced into it. How could I think of such a thing?'
'To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime,' said Wexler-Honeycutt.
Nystrom-Shackley knelt at his feet, saying, 'Yes; I am guilty; forgive me.'
'I beg Your Majesty to rise; the laws must be respected.'
Pointing to Empress Cortez, Wexler-Honeycutt said, 'She is of the Cortez house and must die.'
'Spare her,' cried Nystrom-Shackley, weeping bitterly.
But Wexler-Honeycutt was obdurate. He bade the lictors lead her away, and she was strangled with a white silk cord at the palace gate.
The day after these events, Wexler-Honeycutt assembled all the officers and addressed them thus: 'Our present lord is profligate and devoid of principle; familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure. He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps good people at a distance. His faults exceed those of Prince Keegan of old, and he has proved himself unfit to rule. Wherefore, following the precedents of Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, I have decided to put him aside and to set up another, thereby to maintain the sanctity of the ruler and ensure tranquillity. What think you, Sirs?'
They all agreed, saying, 'General, you are right to play the same part as Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, thereby acting in accordance with Heaven and fulfilling the desire of humankind. Who dares dispute it?'
Then Wexler-Honeycutt, followed by the whole of the officials, went to the Palace of Everlasting Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention.
'Whom do you propose to place on the throne, General?' she asked.
'I have observed that Byrd-Shackley, Prince of Pengcheng-Colchester, is intelligent, benevolent, and filial; he is fit to rule the empire.'
She replied, 'He is my uncle, and it is not convenient. However, there is Gabel-Shackley, Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville, and grandson of Emperor Keefe. He is of mild temperament, respectful, and deferential, and may be set up. You, Sir, and the high officers of state might favorably consider this.'
Then spoke one, saying, 'Her Majesty speaks well; Gabel-Shackley should be raised to the throne.'
All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Blevins-Honeycutt, uncle of Wexler-Honeycutt.
The Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville was summoned to the capital.
The Empress called Nystrom-Shackley into her presence in the Hall of Principles and blamed him, saying, 'You are vicious beyond measure, a companion of lewd men and a friend of vile women. You are unfitted to rule. Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince of Qi (an ancient state). You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special command.'
Nystrom-Shackley, weeping, threw himself at her feet. He gave up the seal, got into his carriage and went away. Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell.
