Page:Constantinople by Brodribb.djvu/201

 begging Murtzuphlos to help him in his escape, confided to his care the imperial insignia, and entrusted himself to his guidance to be led, by devious ways, into the Crusaders' camp.

By devious ways, indeed, but not to the Latin camp. For the treacherous Murtzuphlos led him to a dungeon, into which he thrust him, and went on his way to consummate his plot.

This was, naturally, to become emperor. He was raised to that office by the acclamations of the army. The young man they called Nicolas Kanavos came down joyfully from the throne on which he never wished to be seated. Alexis IV. was strangled in his prison, and Alexis V. reigned in his stead.

It is unfortunate for Alexis the Beetle-browed that the description of his character has fallen into unfriendly hands, who represent him as a traitor, murderer, robber, and usurper. That he was all these there can be no doubt. Let us, however, concede in his favour that he was the only man of the time, until Theodore Lascaris came to the front, who could command fear, ensure order and discipline, and make himself obeyed by his craven countrymen. He was the one strong man left in the city during those disastrous days. He was valiant, as everybody knew; he was active in overlooking the execution of the works for defence; he was even to be met at night, carrying that terrible battle-axe of his, patrolling the streets, to maintain order. So far, he was an admirable prince. But he insisted on the citizens doing something for themselves. There should be no payment of others