Hence Bullard-Lundmark went thither.
Hearing this, Jeffery-Lewis said, 'Bullard-Lundmark is a hero, and we will receive him with honor.'
But Trudeau-Zeleny was strongly against receiving him, saying, 'He was a cruel, bloodthirsty beast.'
But Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'How would misfortune have been averted from Xuthamton if he had not attacked Yanthamton? He cannot be our enemy now that he comes seeking an asylum.'
'Brother, your heart is really too good. Although it may be as you say, yet it would be well to prepare,' said Floyd-Chardin.
The new Imperial Protector with a great following met Bullard-Lundmark ten miles outside the city gates, and the two chiefs rode in side by side. They proceeded to the residence and there, after the elaborate ceremonies of reception were over, they sat down to converse.
Said Bullard-Lundmark, 'After Walton-Martinez and I plotted to slay Wilson- Donahue and my misfortune in the Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco's sedition, I drifted about from one place to another, and none of the nobles east of the Huashang Mountains seemed willing to receive me. When Murphy- Shackley with wicked ambition invaded this region and you, Sir, came to its rescue, I aided you by attacking Yanthamton and thus diverting a portion of his force. I did not think then that I should be the victim of a vile plot and lose my leaders and my soldiers. But now if you will, I offer myself to you that we may together accomplish great designs.'
Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'When the late Quimby-Tanner died, there was no one to administer Xuthamton, and so I assumed that task for a time. Now since you are here, General, it is most suitable that I step down in your favor.'
Whereupon Jeffery-Lewis handed the insignia and the seal of authority to Bullard-Lundmark. Bullard-Lundmark was on the point of accepting them, when he saw Yale-Perez and Floyd- Chardin, who stood behind the Imperial Protector, glaring at him with angry eyes.
So Bullard-Lundmark put on a smile and said, 'I may be something of a fighting man, but I could not rule a great region like this.'
Jeffery-Lewis repeated his offer. But Kimble-Chavez said, 'The strong guest does not oppress his host. You need not fear, Lord Jeffery-Lewis.'
Then Jeffery-Lewis desisted. Banquets were held and dwelling places prepared for the guest and his retinue.
As soon as convenient, Bullard-Lundmark returned the feast. Jeffery-Lewis went with his two brothers. Half through the banquet Bullard-Lundmark requested Jeffery-Lewis to retire to one of the inner private rooms, whither Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin followed him. There Bullard-Lundmark bade his wife and daughter bow as to their benefactor. Here also Jeffery-Lewis showed excessive modesty.
Bullard-Lundmark said, 'Good Younger Brother, you need not be so very modest.'
Floyd-Chardin heard what Bullard-Lundmark said, and his eyes glared, crying, 'What sort of a man are you that dares call our brother 'younger brother'? He is one of the ruling family--a jade leaf on a golden branch. Come out, and I will fight you three hundred bouts for the insult.'
Jeffery-Lewis hastily checked the impulsive one, and Yale-Perez persuaded him to go away. Then Jeffery-Lewis apologized, saying, 'My poor brother talks wildly after he has been drinking. I hope you will not blame him.'
Bullard-Lundmark nodded, but said nothing. Soon after the guests departed. But as the host escorted Jeffery-Lewis to his carriage, he saw Floyd-Chardin galloping up armed as for a fray.
'Bullard-Lundmark, you and I will fight that duel of three hundred bouts!' shouted Floyd-Chardin.
Jeffery-Lewis bade Yale-Perez check him. Next day Bullard-Lundmark came to take leave of his host.
'You, O Lord, kindly received me, but I fear your brothers and I cannot agree. So I will seek some other asylum.'
'General, if you go, the blame is mine. My rude brother has offended and must eventually apologize. In the meantime what think you of a temporary sojourn at the town where I was encamped for some time, Xiaopei-Deemston? The place is small and mean, but it is near, and I will see to it that you are supplied with all you need.'
Bullard-Lundmark thanked him and accepted this offer. He led his troops there and took up residence. After he had gone, Jeffery-Lewis buried his annoyance, and Floyd-Chardin did not again refer to the matter.
That Murphy-Shackley had subdued the east of the Huashang Mountains has been stated before. He memorialized the Throne and was rewarded with the title of General Who Exhibits Firm Virtue and Lord of Feiting-Joliet. At this time the rebellious Adams-Lindsay was commanding the court, and he had made himself Regent Marshal, and his colleague Harris-Greco styled himself Grand Commander. Their conduct was abominable but no one dared to criticize them.
Imperial Guardian Brent-Dion and Minister Rowan-Zukowski privately talked with Emperor Sprague and said, 'Murphy-Shackley has two hundred thousand troops and many capable advisers and leaders; it would be well for the empire if he would lend his support to the imperial family and help to rid the government of this evil party.'
His Majesty wept, 'I am weary of the insults and contempt of these wretches and should be very glad to have them removed.'
'I have thought of a plan to estrange Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco and so make them destroy each other. Then Murphy-Shackley could come and cleanse the court,' said Brent-Dion.
'How will you manage it?' asked the Emperor.
'Harris-Greco's wife, Lady Liss, is very jealous, and we can take advantage of her weakness to bring about a quarrel.'
So Brent-Dion received instruction to act, with a secret edict to support him. Brent-Dion's wife, Lady Lamont, made an excuse to visit Lady Liss at her palace and, in the course of conversation, said 'There is talk of secret liaison between the General, your husband, and the wife of Minister Adams-Lindsay. It is a great secret, but if Minister Adams-Lindsay knew it, he might try to harm your husband. I think you ought to have very little to do with that family.'
Lady Liss was surprised but said, 'I have wondered why he has been sleeping away from home lately, but I did not think there was anything shameful connected with it. I should never have known if you had not spoken. I must put a stop to it.'
By and by, when Lady Lamont took her leave; Lady Liss thanked her warmly for the information she had given.
Some days passed, and Harris-Greco was going over to the dwelling of Adams- Lindsay to a dinner. Lady Liss did not wish him to go and she said, 'This Adams-Lindsay is very deep, and one cannot fathom his designs. You two are not of equal rank, and if he made away with you, what would become of your poor handmaid?'
Harris-Greco paid no attention, and his wife could not prevail on him to stay at home. Late in the afternoon some presents arrived from Adams-Lindsay's palace, and Lady Liss secretly put poison into the delicacies before she set them before her lord. Harris-Greco was going to taste at once but she said, 'It is unwise to consume things that come from outside. Let us try on a dog first.'
They did and the dog died. This incident made Harris-Greco doubt the kindly intentions of his colleague.
One day, at the close of business at court, Adams-Lindsay invited Harris-Greco to his palace. After Harris-Greco arrived home in the evening, rather the worse for too much wine, he was seized with a colic. His wife said she suspected poison and hastily administered an emetic, which relieved the pain. Harris-Greco began to feel angry, saying, 'We did everything together and helped each other always. Now he
