The King of Alsander

mist and sh

his nat

sore back by a walk on the walls. The path along the summit of these old fortifications is broad and smooth: it commands sea, mountains, town and all four corners of the heavens; many lovers, dreamers and successful suicides have passed that way.

not present at the scene? Had the old curiosity shop been invented from the very beginning simply to attract him? How could they have known he would take the Poet's hint and look there for the present? How was it they were all prepared for him when he came? And, finally, what was the real value of the handsome buckle which he was to give Peronella? He pulled it out of his pocket: if the stones were real, and they looked it, he judged it to be worth a fabulous sum. For a

a ten minutes' bombardment, of being hauled from prison by merry bluejackets pouring brandy down his throat, of shaking hands with

ritish Consula

at once to the board of the Widow Prasko and the no less hospitable

?" was the girl'

isite toy, and Peronel

r mother, beaming with ostensible gratification, and burning

hat in that poky littl

t is a wonderful place, if

border," said the observant widow. "

examining it for the first t

reminded him unpleasantly of the

arly cricked his neck examining the stripes in the mirror to see if the

fes for the caretaker. The caretaker, having been plied with many drinks, directed him to a street off the Cathedral square at the other end of the town. Having arrived there, he discovered the street and the number. He found himself in front of a preposterously tall house in a state of violent ruin, which appeared about to fall on his head. It bore no outward consular sign at first glance, but by standing well back on the opposite side of the narrow street and craning his neck Norman could just discern what might be a coat-of-arms above a window on the top floor. He began the ascent of a staircase which deserved all the epithets usually applied to such staircases. He discovered during the long and intricate ascent that the house, or rather tower, contained

Afterwards he noticed, to his surprise, that it was full of contrivances, such as wires and switches and taps-something between a railway signal-box and the manager's bureau in a telephone

y and sharply, in the tone of a vixenish and virtuous

o see the Consul

clicking on a new line

mad in Alsander," thought Norman, in

private affairs to

?" urged

haven't got on

nsisted t

orman, thankful it

ne with one hand, while he still

sport," he shouted in

nsulate by mistake," thought Norman,

a voice into

y hear it; it came

r opened, and Norman found himself in th

irculars, Trade Reports, Miscellaneous, Shipping, Marriage Register, etc. But the walls of the room; presented a curiously unofficial appearance. They were papered with a thick-looking dull black paper, and ornamented with designs in black and white by Aubrey Beardsley. The carpet was a dull purple, indeed the room was in such harmony (except for the vivid letter-box red of the Foreign Office Year Book) that Norma

Norman, in a very cheerful

ent, you know, Bulgarian bomb at Monastir, in the old days before the war. Compensation

aid Norman, settling down in an all-bla

Alsander for two years and this is the first time I have received a visit in my official capacity

d," said Norman, "I n

a guilty whisper "I might give you one. At all events, I assure you

zarded Norman. "I have never se

pare. I may tell you that I have been here two years and have not written an official letter since the d

ite unable to rid himself of the impression of the furious

the countenance of the

of old blue books, you know, and that s

find life

know, is one of our quietest posts. Even Archangel, where I was Vice-Consul twenty-three years ago, was a lot more

led, sir," said

a bit and sees things

sed to Norman, but to the telephone

ait," said

you are busy this morning I ha

chess. You know him perhaps? You have heard of him only?... Yes, the report was corr

elli?" inqu

the Consul. "Are

ermined that he would begin his tale at all

et him wait. Only Olivarbo. You know Count Oliv

t rung you up on

little handicapped"-he glanced pathetically at his limp

d like to come straight to the point. And to begin with, I should like to

t a co-opera

t society, for the object-well

ncing Al

ators' club to play bad practical jokes on innocen

o. Who's that? My dear Cocasso, I really can't this afternoon. I am being consulted on impor

state and pretended to examine me f

mined to become Vice-Consul. We

stripped and mauled about by a f

ear me! Stri

me. Because I demanded an apology

s heavens! Very extraordinary! I must make a n

a British subject is stripped an

ent for dealing with this case. British subjects do not us

this official apathy. "What's the good of being an Englishman if one can't travel unmolested? What's the

have no passport. I cannot possibly send for the Fleet if

?" cried Norm

aineers who have learnt English from Indian f

are fooling me!" Norman'

d that out?" said the Co

es," cried Norman, rising

etter. But he will also print"-here the Consul rose and his tone grew severer still-"a note to say that I treated you with all civilit

hs!" excla

buckle that was present

d forgotte

about the injunction to silence whi

you know about the jewelled buckle? How do

I am bound to state your case before higher authorities, but I warn you you will get none, and you will endanger your life and perhaps min

fore he could think of anything

sul. Norman rose politely

r Arnolfo," said the Co

fell. Signor Arnolfo, a young man in the natio

e slightest resemblance to any Consul in the Levant, Alsander being o