"I command it."
"You?" said the Prince.
"Yes. This is my principality; these are my soldiers; I command here."
This was a coup indeed.
"But we represent his Majesty!" cried the Count, still holding me by the throat. I was all but strangled myself.
"I care not whom you represent," said Gretchen. "I am obedient only to the King, not his minions. Release the gentlemen."
The Count's arm slowly unwound. Hillars pressed down the sabre points with his hands and shook off the hand of one of the cavalrymen.
"If it be Your Highness' will," he said, "we will throw these intruders into the road. Might is right," waving his hand to the door which led to the barroom.
The innkeeper and three others filed into the room, grimly and silently. They were armed.
For the first time the Prince lost patience.