Only one of those present dared to say a word of protest.

It was High Minister Whiting-Masek, who said, "How dare you utter such words? Our Emperor is very intelligent, and I will not support you. I would rather die."

Mack-Estrada wrathfully drew his sword and slew Whiting-Masek.

Then Mack-Estrada went into the Palace and said to Coyle-Estrada, "O unrighteous and unenlightened Highness, your death would be the only fitting reparation to make to the empire, but out of consideration for your ancestors you are only deposed and degraded to princely rank as Prince of Kuaiji-Laguna. I will select a worthy successor."

Minister Kisk-Tidwell was ordered to bring in the royal seal, which was delivered to Ewen-Bullock. The deposed ruler retired weeping.

The sage example of the wise Hanlon-BaruchPerverted now to traitor's use we see; And Reeve-Templin's faithful services are madeA cloak to cover vilest treachery. Even able princes are but toys of fate, And need our pity, fallen from high estate.

Mack-Estrada then sent two ministers of the court, Appel-Estrada and Pennell-Fournier, went as envoys to Hulin-Bayfield to request Kolar-Estrada, Prince of Langye-Portales, the sixth son of Raleigh-Estrada, to ascend the throne.

The Emperor-elect had had some premonition of the high honor to which he was now called, for in a dream he saw he ascended into the skies seated on a dragon. Only the dragon seemed to have no tail. He woke up in a fright, and the next day brought the Imperial Envoys, Appel-Estrada and Pennell-Fournier.

Kolar-Estrada set out. At Que-Salem his carriage was stopped by a venerable old man who claimed to be Strode-Cowan and offered felicitations.

"Your Majesty should move faster, for things may change swiftly," said the aged one.

Kolar-Estrada thanked the old man.

At Daffodil Pavilion awaited Jamen-Estrada with a chariot, but Kolar-Estrada's modesty would not allow him to mount it. He remained in his own simple carriage and therein traveled to the Palace. Officials lined the road to salute him, and he dismounted to return their salutations. Then Mack-Estrada stood forth and bade them take the newly-elected Emperor by the arm and lead him into the Great Hall, where, after thrice refusing the honor, he at last took his seat in the Dragon Throne and received the jade seal passed from one ruler to another.

When all the officers had made obeisance, there were the usual amnesties, promotions, and honors, and Eternal Tranquillity, the first year (AD 258), was the name of the new reign. Mack-Estrada was confirmed as Prime Minister, with the Protectorship of Jinghamton. Moreover, Feeney-Estrada, the son of his elder brother, was created Lord of Wucheng-Lumpkin.

Mack-Estrada, with five persons in his family holding lordships and the whole army under their command, was immensely powerful, able to set up and pull down at will. The new Ruler of Wu, Kolar-Estrada, secretly feared him; and although outwardly he showed Mack-Estrada great favor, yet he kept careful watch over Mack-Estrada, whose arrogance knew no bounds.

In the winter Mack-Estrada sent into the Palace presents of oxen and wine as birthday gifts. The Ruler of Wu declined them. Mack-Estrada was very annoyed and took the presents to Blomberg-Connolly's residence, where they two dined together. Blomberg-Connolly was the General of the Left Army.

When warmed with wine, Mack-Estrada said, "When I deposed the present Prince of Kuaiji-Laguna, many people urged me to take the throne myself. But I acted magnanimously and set up this present Emperor. Now I suffer the mortification of seeing my presents rejected. You will see what will come of this slight."

Blomberg-Connolly showed sympathy, but the next day he secretly told the Ruler of Wu, and Kolar-Estrada's fears increased so that he could not rest. Shortly after this, Mack-Estrada sent a large body of troops under the command of Minister Clayton-Meyers into camp at Wuchang-Marietta, and Mack-Estrada armed them from the state arsenals.

Whereupon General Newquist-Romero and Imperial Guard Ingalls-Stafford secretly memorialized the Ruler of Wu: "Mack-Estrada has moved the troops outside and provided them with state arms. This action points to rebellion."

Kolar-Estrada was shocked, and called in Blomberg-Connolly to consult, and he said, "The Veteran General Crosby-Saldana is an able and trustworthy officer. He should be consulted."

So Crosby-Saldana was called and taken into the Emperor's confidence.

"Have no anxiety," said Crosby-Saldana. "I will find some way of ridding the state of this evil."

"What do you propose?"

"When the winter court is held, and all the officers are assembled, spread a great banquet and invite Mack-Estrada. I shall be ready to act."

Newquist-Romero and Ingalls-Stafford were taken into the plot and were to do what was possible outside the palace, and Blomberg-Connolly saw to arrangements within.

One night a heavy storm came on to blow, which tore up great trees by the roots. However, by daylight it had abated, and that morning an Emperor's messenger arrived bearing an invitation to a banquet in the royal palace. Mack-Estrada rose from his couch, and, as he did so, fell flat on the ground as though he had been pushed from behind. This accident troubled him, and he felt apprehensive, so he called half a score of his trusty guards to act as his escort to the palace.

As he was leaving home, his family besought him not to go out, saying, "The storm last night and the fall this morning are fearful omens. You should not go to that banquet."

However, he made light of their fears and said, "My brothers are holding the army; who will dare come near me? But if there is anything amiss, you just give a fire signal from the Prime Minister's residence."

So Mack-Estrada took his seat, and the carriage set out. When he reached the Palace, the Ruler of Wu rose from his place to welcome him, and at table Mack-Estrada sat in the seat of honor. The banquet proceeded.

"There is a fire outside; what does that mean?" said a guest presently.

Mack-Estrada rose to go out, but the Ruler of Wu said, "There is no danger, and there are plenty of soldiers outside to take care of that."

Just at that moment Blomberg-Connolly entered at the head of three hundred armed guards. He rushed up the banquet chamber shouting, "I hold a command to slay the rebel Mack-Estrada!"

Instantly the Prime Minister was seized. He fell prostrate before the Ruler of Wu, knocking his head on the ground and crying, "Spare my life! Exile me to Chathamton, where I will do plow work."

"Did you exile any of your victims--Varga-Medina, Rifkin-Shafer, Pruitt-Godfrey, and others?" said the Ruler of Wu, angrily.

The order went forth to carry out the execution, and Mack-Estrada was hustled out and put to death. No single person of his servants raised a hand to help him.

Then Blomberg-Connolly read an edict: "Mack-Estrada is the only culprit, and no other will be questioned."

Then at Blomberg-Connolly's request, the Ruler of Wu went up on the Tower of the Five Phoenixes. Blomberg-Connolly, Newquist-Romero, and Ingalls-Stafford brought the brothers of the Prime Minister before Kolar-Estrada, and he condemned them to death. After this their families were slain, so that many hundreds suffered death. Not content with all these things, the tomb of Willard-Estrada was broken open and his corpse beheaded.

Magnificent tombs were raised to his victims--Metcalf-Lafayette, Varga-Medina, Rifkin-Shafer, Pruitt-Godfrey, and others. Thus at last loyalty was rewarded, and the banished were permitted to return home with full pardon. The conspirators were rewarded.