He wasn't fair game for an assassin," said Claiborne.
"No; he deserved a better fate," remarked Armitage.
"He was a grand old man," said Shirley, as they left the shop and walked toward the carriage.

"Father admired him greatly; and he was very kind to us in Vienna.

It is terrible to think of his being murdered." "Yes; he was a wise and useful man," observed Armitage, still grave.

"He was one of the great men of his time." His tone was not that of one who discusses casually a bit of news of the hour, and Captain Claiborne paused a moment at the carriage door, curious as to what Armitage might say further.
"And now we shall see--" began the young American.
"We shall see Johann Wilhelm die of old age within a few years at most; and then Charles Louis, his son, will be the Emperor-king in his place; and if he should go hence without heirs, his cousin Francis would rule in the house of his fathers; and Francis is corrupt and worthless, and quite necessary to the plans of destiny for the divine order of kings." John Armitage stood beside the carriage quite erect, his hat and stick and gloves in his right hand, his left thrust lightly into the side pocket of his coat.
"A queer devil," observed Claiborne, as they drove away.

"A solemn customer, and not cheerful enough to make a good drummer.