"More good news," groaned Abdul miserably, winding his clasped fingers to and fro. "Alas, good news again!"
"First," said Von der Doppelbauch, "the Kaiser has raised you to the order of the Black Dock. Here is your feather."
"Another feather," moaned Abdul. "Here, Toomuch, take it and put it among the feathers!"
"Secondly," went on the Field-Marshal, checking off his items as he spoke, "your contribution, your personal contribution to His Majesty's Twenty-third Imperial Loan, is accepted."
"I didn't make any!" sobbed Abdul.
"No difference," said Von der Doppelbauch. "It is accepted anyway. The telegram has just arrived accepting all your money. My assistants are packing it up outside."
Abdul collapsed still further into his cushions.
"Third, and this will rejoice your Majesty's heart: Your troops are again victorious!"
"Victorious!" moaned Abdul. "Victorious again! I knew they would be! I suppose they are all dead as usual?"
"They are," said the Marshal. "Their souls," he added reverently, with a military salute, "are in Heaven!"