"Are there any members of the government?"
"Not one; they cannot be trusted, all being Ivan's parasites."
"How will that affect our plans, surely the Minister of War will have something to say?"
"He is the worst hated man among them, the soldiers execrate him."
"H'm! I shall look to you for a New Cabinet."
"Your Majesty will need one, as all the present members will be in our power by to-night, I trust. General von Vorkovitch will give orders to the troops for that."
"How is it that he has not been retired by Ivan?"
"Even Ivan did not dare to touch the man who won the battle of Vortz. He has been the idol of the country for years, but had no chance of doing anything to retrieve matters."
"Jealousy?" I asked.
"Chiefly, there was no one to be the head, that was why we had to wait until you came to an age fit for it."