“It is futile to reason with you,” he said. “There is only one way to handle such as you. At present I hold the power to coerce you, and I shall continue to hold that power until I am safely out of your two-by-four kingdom. If you do as I say you shall have your throne back again. If you refuse, why by Heaven you shall never have it. I’ll stay king of Lutha myself.”
“What are your terms?” asked the king.
“That Prince Peter of Blentz, Captain Ernst Maenck, and old Von Coblich be tried, convicted, and hanged for high treason,” replied the American.
“That is easy,” said the king. “I should do so anyway immediately I resumed my throne. Now get up and give me my clothes. Take this cot and I will take the bed. None will know of the exchange.”
“Again you are too fast,” answered Barney. “There is another condition.”
“Well?”
“You must promise upon your royal honor that Ludwig, Prince von der Tann, remain chancellor of Lutha during your life or his.”
“Very well,” assented the king. “I promise,” and again he half rose from his cot.
“Hold on a minute,” admonished the American; “there is yet one more condition of which I have not made mention.”
“What, another?” exclaimed Leopold testily. “How much do you want for returning to me what you have stolen?”