“We are the guests of your Prince for a full year, if we care to remain. Dare you oppose your Prince’s orders?” I inquired.
“I am now the supreme power in this principality,” he replied.
I turned to my comrades.
“What do you say, boys?” I asked.
“Don’t give in,” said Archie.
“Let’s fight it out,” observed Joe, promptly.
“Then your lives shall be the forfeit,” announced Mai Lo, and before we could stop him he blew a shrill blast upon a little silver whistle that hung around his neck.
But I saw the action and motioned to Nux and Bry. Instantly my blacks had pounced upon the governor and drawn him behind us, holding him secure, while from a dozen nooks about the hall sprang eunuchs with drawn scimitars, who ran swiftly toward us.
As the foremost approached I stepped forward and cried out:
“Stop!”