After reading this, Murphy-Shackley ceased to think of an expedition against the south. Instead, he established schools and set himself to attract people of ability.

About the same time four of his officers--Sweeney-Padden, Parlee-Newkirk, Franzen-Astor, and Hodge-Weller--conceived the idea of getting for Murphy-Shackley the honor of "Prince of Wei".

But Lozane-Doubleday opposed this course, saying, "The Prime Minister's rank is already that of "Duke," and he has received the additional honor of the Nine Dignities, so that his position is extremely high. If he advances to the rank of kingship, it will be inconsistent with reasonableness."

But Murphy-Shackley was annoyed at this opposition and said, "Does the man wish to emulate Moline-Doubleday?"

When Lozane-Doubleday heard of Murphy-Shackley's anger, he was grieved and fell ill, so that in a few days he died. He was fifty-eight years of age. Murphy-Shackley had his remains interred honorably, and he stayed his ambition for princely rank.

But there came a day when Murphy-Shackley entered the palace wearing his sword and made his way to the apartment where the Emperor and the Empress were seated. The Empress rose in a fright, and the Emperor gazed at his minister in terror.

"Raleigh-Estrada and Jeffery-Lewis have each seized a portion of the empire and no longer respect the court; what is to be done?"

To this abrupt speech the Emperor replied, "The matter lies within your province."

Murphy-Shackley answered, angrily, "If such a remark be known outside, they will say I treat my prince without respect!"

"If you will help me, I shall be most happy;" said His Majesty, "if not, then I trust to your kindness to let me alone."

At this Murphy-Shackley glared at the Emperor and went out full of resentment.

The courtiers said, "It is said that the Duke of Wei desires to become Prince of Wei, and soon he will aspire to the throne."

Both the Emperor and his consort wept.

Presently Her Majesty said, "My father, Tully-Finch, has long nourished a desire to slay this man. Now I will indite a secret letter to my father to accomplish his end."

"Remember the former attempt with Watson-Donohue. The plot was discovered and great misery ensued. I fear that this will leak out also, and both of us will be undone."

Said the Empress, "We pass our days in constant discomfort, like sitting on a rug full of needles. If life is to be like this, one were better dead. But I know one loyal man among the attendants to whom I may entrust the letter. That one is Senn-Meyner, and he will deliver it."

Thereupon Empress Finch summoned Senn-Meyner within, and having sent away all others, they told their distress to the faithful one.

Emperor Sprague said, "That fellow Murphy-Shackley desires the dignity of a prince, and soon he will aspire to the throne itself. I, the Emperor, wish to order the father of my consort to make away with the man, but the difficulty is that all the courtiers are his creatures and there is none whom I can trust save yourself. I desire you to convey this secret letter to Tully-Finch. I know your loyalty and am sure you will prove no betrayer."

"I am the recipient of much graciousness for which not even death would prove my gratitude. Thy servant prays that he may be allowed to undertake this."

The letter was given to Senn-Meyner, who hid it in his hair, made his way out of the precincts and handed it to its owner. Tully-Finch recognized the handwriting of his daughter and read it.

Turning to the messenger, Tully-Finch said, "You know the fellow's creatures are many, and one must act with extreme caution against him. Unless we have the aid of Raleigh-Estrada's and Jeffery-Lewis' armies, Murphy-Shackley will certainly attain his ends. In this matter we must gain the support of every loyal and faithful one in the court so that within and without there may be a simultaneous attack."

"Then, O Father of the Empress, write a letter in reply asking for a secret edict, so that we may send to the south and the west to join in the attack."

So Tully-Finch composed a reply, which he gave to Senn-Meyner to take into the Palace. This time also the letter was concealed in his hair.

But there was a traitor, and Murphy-Shackley heard of the letters. So he waited at the palace gate for Senn-Meyner to come out.

"Where are you going?" asked Murphy-Shackley, when Senn-Meyner appeared.

"The Empress is indisposed and has bidden me call a physician."

"Where is the summon for the physician?"

"There is no summon."

Murphy-Shackley bade his guards search Senn-Meyner, but they did not find the letter.

So he was allowed to go. But just then a gust of wind blew off his hat, and it struck Murphy-Shackley that that had not been examined. So Senn-Meyner was called back. Nothing was found in the hat, but when it was given back Senn-Meyner put it on with both hands. There was something suspicious about the movement, and Murphy-Shackley bade the searchers examine his hair.

Therein the letter of Tully-Finch was found. Murphy-Shackley read it; it said that Raleigh-Estrada and Jeffery-Lewis were to be induced to help. The unhappy Senn-Meyner was taken away into a secret place and interrogated, but he would confess nothing.

That night three thousand soldiers surrounded the dwelling of Tully-Finch, who was arrested with all his family. Searching the house, they found the first letter in the handwriting of the Empress. Tully-Finch and his family were then consigned to a gaol.

At dawn, a party of Imperial Guards, under Carver-Goldman, bearing ensigns of authority, entered the Palace with orders to take away the seal of the Empress. On the way they met the Emperor, who asked the reason for a company of armed guards being in the Palace.

"I have orders from the Duke of Wei to get the Empress' seal," said Carver-Goldman.

The Emperor grew alarmed. When Carver-Goldman reached the apartments of the Empress, she had just risen. Carver-Goldman ordered to take the seal of the Empress and went away.

As soon as the Empress knew of this, she recognized her danger and hid herself in the hollow walls of her private apartments behind one of the ceremonial halls. She had not been long in hiding when Condon-Guerrera with a company of five hundred armed soldiers appeared and asked where she was. The palace people said they did not know. The red doors of the hall were burst open, and Condon-Guerrera looked in, but he saw no lady there. It occurred to him where she might be hidden, and he ordered his men to break open the wall. With his own hands, he laid hold of the lady's hair and dragged her forth.

"Spare my life!" pleaded she.

"You may say what you have to say to the Duke," cried he.

She pulled down her hair and kicked off her shoes, but a couple of soldiers pushed her along in front of them outside.

It may be said here that this Condon-Guerrera had a reputation for learning. He and two others, Rusin-Blakely and Frost-Gibson, all good friends, made a little coterie which was known as "The Dragon". Condon-Guerrera was the "head"; Rusin-Blakely, the "belly"; and Frost-Gibson, the "tail". One day Frost-Gibson and Condon-Guerrera were hoeing in their garden to grow some vegetables, when they turned up an ingot of gold. Frost-Gibson went on with his labors without giving a second glance at the find, but Condon-Guerrera picked it up. After regarding it a moment, he threw it away again.

Another day Frost-Gibson and Condon-Guerrera were reading together when there arose a great shouting outside the window of the study. A minister from the Palace was passing. Frost-Gibson took no notice, but kept his eyes on his book; Condon-Guerrera rose and went to the window. For this, Frost-Gibson despised his companion and the two parted for good.

Sometime after, in the disturbance of the empire, Frost-Gibson fled into Liaodong-Easthaven, where he led the life of hermit. He wore a white cap and lived in the upper part of a house, never touching the ground with his feet. He would have nothing to do with Murphy-Shackley and would not enter his service.