A sword hung over the head of Truxton King, an innocent outsider, and there was a prospect that it would fall in advance of the blow that was intended to startle the world.

Olga Platanova was the only one who did not look upon the sprightly American as a spy in the employ of the government--a dangerously clever spy at that.
Up in the distant hills slept the Iron Count, dreaming of the day when he should rule over the new Graustark--for he would rule!--a smile on his grizzled face in reflection of recent waking thoughts concerning the punishment that should fall swiftly upon the assassins of the beloved Prince Robin.
He would make short shrift of assassins!.