“All right,” he said. “I am ready. But how my head aches.”
Domiloff smiled grimly, and thrust a sheet of paper into his hand.
“It will pass off,” he said. “See, this is your speech. Learn it. It will not be wise for you to address the people in any save their own language.”
Brand took the sheet of unintelligible characters into his own hand. He looked blankly at it.
“Read it to me,” he said. “Let me hear how it sounds.”
Domiloff declaimed and translated it. Brand listened thoughtfully. Apparently the return of Ughtred of Tyrnaus to the throne of his forefathers was solely owing to a benevolent desire on the part of Russia to bring to Theos an era of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Far away a gleam of white and grey towers flashed upon the hillside. Villages became more plentiful. They were nearing the capital.
CHAPTER XII
Once more the men and women of Theos thronged the streets of their time-worn capital. A thousand torches flared in the open space before the palace. Lanterns and flags waved from all the principal houses and public buildings. Only the great Reist mansion was silent and gloomy, and many questioning eyes were turned towards it.