The King looked into Brand’s grave face, and beckoned him on one side.
“Well?”
“Domiloff has got hold of Reist,” he said. “He is a traitor. There is something going on in the city even now, which I do not understand.”
The King shook his head gravely.
“Reist is my personal enemy,” he said, “but Theos has no more faithful son. It is he who has just saved our victory from being turned into disaster.”
“Nevertheless,” Brand answered, “he is Domiloff’s man, and there is treachery afoot. I will tell you what happened to me in the city.”
The King listened with darkening face. But when Brand had finished his story he shook his head again.
“Domiloff is my enemy,” he said, “and it may be the Countess of Reist. But of Reist himself I will believe no such thing.”
“Your Majesty will regret it,” Brand remarked, dryly.
“If you are right, I certainly shall,” the King answered, “for I have appointed Reist to the command at Althea.”