He brought the most glorious news from the frontier. The
Duke of Matz and the leading dignitaries had heard of Gabriel's capture,
both through the Bappo boys and through a few of his henchmen who had
staggered into camp after the disaster. The news threw the Dawsbergen
diplomats into a deplorable state of uncertainty. Even the men high in
authority, while not especially depressed over the fall of their
sovereign, were in doubt as to what would be the next move in their
series of tragedies. Almost to a man they regretted the folly which had
drawn them into the net with Gabriel. Baldos reported that the Duke of
Matz and a dozen of the most distinguished men in Dawsbergen were on
their way to Edelweiss to complete arrangements for peace and to lay
their renunciation of Gabriel before Dantan in a neutral court. The
people of Dawsbergen had been clamoring long for Dantan's restoration,
and Baldos was commissioned to say that his return would be the signal
for great rejoicing. He was closeted until after midnight with Dantan
and his sister. Lorry and Princess Yetive being called in at the end to
hear and approve of the manifesto prepared by the Prince of
Dawsbergen. The next morning the word went forth that a great banquet
was to be given in the castle that night for Prince Dantan and the
approaching noblemen. The prince expected to depart almost immediately
thereafter to resume the throne in Serros.
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