The news had come in over the wire and it created no small amount of chagrin among the Red conspirators.
That one detail in their mighty plot should go contrary to expectations seemed to disturb them immeasurably.

King was just beginning to realise the stupendous possibilities of the plot; he listened for every detail with a mind so fascinated by horror that it seemed hardly able to grasp the seriousness of his own position.
It seemed that Marlanx deemed it necessary--even imperative--to the welfare of the movement, that John Tullis should be disposed of summarily before the crucial chapter in their operations.

Truxton heard the Committee discussing the fiasco that attended his first attempt to draw the brainy, influential American out of the arena.

It was clear that Marlanx suspected Tullis of a deep admiration for his wife, the Countess Ingomede; he was prepared to play upon that admiration for the success of his efforts.

The Countess disappeared on a recent night, leaving the court in extreme doubt as to her fate.