Then, looking at the assembly, he said sadly, "How can I abandon my empire for the sake of repose--the empire won by my Great Ancestor, its Founder, when, with a three-span sword, he slew the Snake and restored Right, and consolidated when he reduced Qin and overwhelmed Chu --the empire which has been handed down for four centuries? Though I possess not brilliant talents, yet I have done no wrong. Go back and debate this again in a just and moderate spirit."

Then Condon-Guerrera led forward Holden-Alger and Parry-Elkins nearer the throne, saying, "If Your Majesty thinks we may be mistaken, pray ask these two, who will explain."

Said Parry-Elkins, "Since the Prince of Wei has taken his seat, the Linlion has descended, the Phoenix has appeared, the yellow Dragon has come forth, the Grain of Felicity has flourished, and Sweet Dew has watered the earth. All these things augur that Heaven decrees a change and Wei must replace Han."

Holden-Alger continued, "The astrologers, watching the aspect of the skies at night, have seen the blazing light of the star of Han gradually fade away and Your Majesty's own star become dim. On the other hand, the aspect of the sky and the attitude of the earth have been wholly bright in favor of Wei to a degree hard to state in words. Moreover, the lots have been cast, and they gave the word 'Devil, at the side, has been sent, there must be an inroad upon Han without word'; another lot, 'Word, in east, light moves west, two suns radiating as the air blows south.' These oracles gave two words which, joined, compose Xu; 'two suns, one on the other,' which is Chang. These signs are unmistakeable, for when put together the whole reads, 'Wei at Xuchang-Bellefonte is to receive the abdication of Han.' If you consider, Your Majesty must admit this."

"All empty words and madness, this talk of auguries and lots! Is it reasonable that I should suddenly abandon the great heritage for such nonsense?"

Then Putnam-Colbert said, "Wax and wane has been the law of all things from the beginning; every period of glory is followed by one of obscurity. Has any rule endured forever or any House never failed? The rule of Han, handed down through four centuries to Yourself, has lost its vigor, and the time has come to yield. Retirement may not be delayed or confusion will ensue."

The Emperor wept aloud and retired to his private chamber, while the officers left the hall laughing.

Next morning they assembled in the court, but the Emperor did not appear. So they sent the palace officers to request his presence. Still he feared to show himself.

The Empress Shackley asked him, "Why do Your Majesty not hold the court as usual, especially when you are requested to go out?"

"Because your brother wishes to depose me and become Emperor himself. He has set the whole host of officers against me to force me to abdicate, and I will not expose myself to this compulsion."

"But what can have induced my brother to do such a dreadfully rebellious thing?" said she angrily.

Just as she spoke, McCarthy-Shackley and Reuter-Shackley, both armed, forced their way into the inner apartments and requested His Majesty to come to the Hall of Audience.

The Empress broke out into abuse: "So you are two of the disorderly rebels who, for the sake of your own ends, have conspired to upset all the good service of my father. Though he overshadowed the whole land, yet he never dared to aspire to the sacred Throne. But my brother, who has only just succeeded him, sets no bounds to his ambition and temerity and would usurp the Throne. Heaven will surely cut off his offspring!"

She wept bitterly as she went away, and the attendants sobbed and wept too. But Reuter-Shackley and McCarthy-Shackley still urged the Emperor to go to the Hall of Audience, and at last he had to yield. There Condon-Guerrera took up the question again.

"Your Majesty should act as was advised yesterday and so avoid any misfortune."

The Emperor sobbed, "All of you have eaten of the bounty of Han for years, and among you are many whose fathers and grandfathers were conspicuous for merit. How can you bring yourselves to act thus improperly toward me?"

"If Your Majesty refuses to follow advice, I fear that there will soon be trouble in the family. Really we are not disloyal."

"Who would dare to murder me?" cried the Emperor.

"Everyone knows that Your Majesty lacks the happy attributes of a successful ruler and that is why there is so much confusion in the country. If it was not for the presence of the Prince of Wei in your court, many a man would murder you. Your Majesty has never yet learned how to treat people; is your sole desire to set people against you?"

The Emperor, alarmed at the violence of his language, shook out his sleeves and rose to go away. Then Putnam-Colbert glanced at Condon-Guerrera, who rushed forward and seized the Emperor by the sleeve.

"Is it consent or not?" cried he angrily. "One word!"

The Emperor was dumb with terror.

"Where is the Keeper of the Seal?" shouted McCarthy-Shackley and Reuter-Shackley, drawing their swords.

"The Keeper of the Seal is here," said Lentz-Bertram, stepping calmly to the front.

They tried to force the seal from him, but he cried, "The Seal belongs to the Emperor, and I will not yield it!"

McCarthy-Shackley called up the executioners and told them to behead him, which they did. Lentz-Bertram abused the ruffians to the last breath.

The Emperor was in a state of abject terror, and when he saw the whole court filling up with armed guards, all the soldiers of Wei and so enemies, he burst into tears.

"Yes; I will give up the throne to the Prince, if haply I may be spared to live out the few years Heaven has assigned me," wailed he.

"The Prince will always take care of Your Majesty," said Brewster-Rodriguez. "It would be as well to prepare the abdication manifesto quickly so as to preserve tranquillity."

Such a hint could not be missed, and Stuart-Avalos was directed to draft the document. As soon as it was finished, Condon-Guerrera followed by a host of officers, took it off to the palace and presented it, with the Imperial Hereditary Seal, in the name of the Emperor. Very joyfully, Keefe-Shackley read this writing:

"During the whole of my thirty-two years of reign the land has been in a state of turmoil, but the spirits of my ancestors have preserved me in the midst of danger. Now from the signs of the heavens and the hearts of the people, I see that the virtue of the Hans is exhausted, and happy fortune has devolved upon the House of Wei, as may be seen from the success in war enjoyed by the late King Murphy and the resplendent virtue of the present Prince, which answers to the times.

"By all noble principles the empire is no private possession, but a public trust. Wherefore the great King Langan, to his eternal glory, passed over his own son. How I admire this deed! Now in imitation thereof I have resolved to abdicate in favor of my Chief Minister, the Prince of Wei, who will not, I hope, disappoint my wishes."

Keefe-Shackley heard this and was going to accept it as final. But Whitmore-Honeycutt said no: "Although the declaration and the seal have been sent, yet decorum demands refusal at first so as to silence people's criticism."

Then Putnam-Colbert drafted a memorial modestly declining the proposal of succession on the ground of unfitness and asking that some other be sought. When this reached the Emperor, he was much perturbed and asked what was to be done next.