Here, in front, had been arranged for the occasion, platforms for the starting of aeroplanes.

Behind them were the various thrones of state for the Western King and Queen, and the various rulers of "Balka"-- as the new and completed Balkan Federation had become--_de jure_ as well as _de facto_.

Behind were seats for the rest of the company.

All was a blaze of crimson and gold.

We of the Press were all expectant, for some ceremony had manifestly been arranged, but of all details of it we had been kept in ignorance.