GETTING DEEPER.
The news that I had beaten Devinsky, had played with him like a cat
with a bird, spread like a forest fire. Essaieff was right enough in
his forecast that everyone would be delighted at the major's overthrow.
But the notoriety which the achievement brought me was not at all
unlikely to prove a source of embarrassment.
I should be a marked man, and everything I did would be sure to be
closely observed. Any gross blunder made in my new character would be
the more certainly seen, and would thus be all the more likely to lead
to my discovery.
There were of course a thousand things I ought to know; hundreds of
acts that I had no doubt been in the habit of doing regularly--and thus
any number of pitfalls lay gaping right under my feet.
My difficulties began at once with my regimental duties. I did not
know even my brother officers by sight, to say nothing of the men. The
fact that the real Alexis had not been very long with the regiment
would of course help me somewhat in regard to this; as it was quite
conceivable that having been very indifferent to my duties and anything
but a zealous officer, I might not have got to know the men. But I was
just as ignorant of the regimental routine which ought to be a matter
of course. I had questioned Olga on every detail and drawn from her
all that she knew--and she was surprisingly quickwitted and well
informed on the subject--and I had of course my own limited military
experience to back me; but I lacked completely that familiarity which
only actual practice could give. This difficulty gave me much thought
and I am bound to say amused me immensely. The way out that I chose
was a mixture of impudence and eccentricity; and I relied on the
reputation I had suddenly made for myself as a swordsman being
sufficient to silence criticism.
I went back to my rooms, and while there a manservant whom Essaieff had
promised to send to me, arrived. I would not have one from the ranks,
but chose a civilian that had been a soldier; and under the guise of
questioning his present knowledge of military matters, dress, etc., I
drew out of him particulars of the uniforms I ought to wear on
different occasions, the places and times of all regimental duties,
and--what was of even more importance--a rough idea of the actual
duties which fell to the share of Lieutenant Alexis Petrovitch.
That was enough for me. I dressed and went to head-quarters, resolved
to see the Colonel, and on the plea of indisposition ask to be excused
from duty on that and the following day. To my surprise--for I had
heard from Olga that I stood very low down in Colonel Kapriste's
estimation--I was received with especial cordiality and favour. His
greeting was indeed effusive. He granted my request at once, said I
could take a week if I liked, after my hard work, and declared that I
must take great care of myself for the sake of the regiment. Then he
pressed me to wait until he had finished his regimental work as he
wished to talk to me.
What he wanted was an account of the duel, and a very few minutes
shewed me that if he was no friend of mine, he was a strong enemy of
the man I had fought. He questioned me also as to the change in my
appearance, why I had shaved my beard and moustache, what excuse I had
to give for having been out without my uniform on the previous day; and
my blunt reply that I had had an accident and hoped I was master of my
own features, and that if my uniform was burnt it was more becoming for
an officer to be in mufti than naked, drew from him nothing more than
the significant retort that he hoped I had changed as much in other
respects. Then he turned curious to know where I had learnt to use the
sword, and who was the fencing master that had taught me; and I turned
the point with a laugh--that Major Devinsky's evil genie conferred the
gift on me, as they were not ready yet below to take charge of the
major's soul.
He was so delighted with my success over the man whom he evidently
hated, that he let my impertinence pass; but I could see that the two
aides who were present, were as much astonished at my conduct as at the
Colonel's reception of it.
But it was of great service to me. It emphasized the complete change
in me; and I left with a feeling of intense satisfaction that the
difficulties of the position were proving much less formidable when
faced than they had seemed in anticipation.
I went next to the exercise ground and watched with the closest
scrutiny everything that took place. Now and again one or other of the
officers came up to me; and to all alike I adopted an attitude of cold
and stolid impassiveness. This was my safe course. I knew that Alexis
had hitherto been unpopular with the whole regiment, except perhaps one
or two of the worst and wildest fellows; and I judged that any
approaches made now were rather out of deference to the dangerous skill
I had suddenly developed than to any old familiarity. In most cases I
could therefore quite safely appear to resent old neglect and so
repulse any present advances.
"You're not at drill, this morning, Petrovitch," said one.
I gave him a stony, stolid stare.
"On the contrary, I am here," I answered, turning away.
"I mean, you're not drilling," he said, with a feeble laugh.
"I have already been out this morning," I returned giving him another
most unpleasant look. "Do you mean that you want to drill with me?" I
stared him out of countenance until the feeble laugh which he repeated
had passed from his face, and with a muttered excuse he went back to
his men.
This sort of thing with variations in my hard unpleasantness happened
several times while I remained on the ground; and before I left I had
managed to stamp the impression pretty clearly on my fellow-officers
generally, that it would be best not to interfere with me. This was
just what I wished.
At the club, where I went after leaving the exercise ground, there were
several of the men whom I had so insulted on the previous night. I was
in truth rather sorry that I had made such a cad of myself; since that
was not the sort of character I saw now I could construct out of the
composite materials of the two very different careers and persons that
were now to be blended.
My reputation was made already and I found everywhere some evidences of
the advantages it carried. More than one of those who on the night
before had been most profuse in their expressions of contempt for me
were now obviously very ill at ease; and some of them were
unquestionably expecting me to take a strong course. But I spoke to no
one; and merely returned a curt and formal acknowledgment of any
greetings made to me.
After a time Lieutenant Essaieff came in, and I noticed not without
satisfaction that as soon as he saw I was in the place he came across
to me.
"I hear you have made a remarkable conversion, Petrovitch."
"Yes?"
"Old Saltpetre, I mean. Cruladoff told me and said he could scarcely
believe his own eyes and ears when you and that old martinet were
chumming together like a couple of young subs. He swears that a man
has been cashiered before now for saying a good deal less than you
said." I saw he was referring to the Chief, so I made a shot.
"It's not much of a secret what he thinks of Devinsky."
"Do you really know the story, then? Why, you told me last week that
you didn't."
"I didn't know a good deal then that I know now," I returned drily.
"Neither did we," he answered significantly. "Any way the old boy
swears by you now; and after you'd left this morning went on in a fine
strain to the two aides, praising you sky high. By Gad, if the war
really comes you'll be in luck, and get every bit of daredevil work the
old Salamander can thrust your way. Hullo, Cruladoff!" he broke off as
one of the men I had seen that morning with the Chief came up. "I was
just telling Petrovitch what you told me."
Some others joined us then, and though I held myself in the strongest
reserve, I exchanged a few words with one or two. What was of great
importance, moreover, I learnt to know a number of my comrades by sight
and name.
My actions were all carefully studied. I spoke very little indeed;
never dropped a word that had even a suggestion of boastfulness in it,
and only answered when any man chose to address me. I knew from what
Olga had told me that I was with some of the best men in the
regiment--those who hitherto had held me in the poorest esteem--and I
was scrupulously careful that in my outward demeanour there should now
be nothing whatever to cause offence. I would allow no man to
interfere with or even criticise me--but on my side I would interfere
with none. The eccentricity that was to cover my ignorance should be
defensive armour only.
In this manner I carried myself through the difficulties of that day;
and it was indeed easy enough. I found most of my comrades only too
ready to be civil rather than suspicious; and the extraordinary success
of the morning set them on the look out for further eccentricities and
peculiarities. A man who could successfully conceal the possession of
such extraordinary skill with sword and pistol, might be expected to
have any number of surprises in store; and no one was in any hurry to
ask the reason for the concealment.
The fame of my achievement affected even the men who came to have their
debts paid that afternoon and evening; and the money lender--a scurvy
wretch of the lowest type--was so frightened and trembled so violently
when I asked him how he dared to send me threatening letters, that he
could scarcely sign his receipt. The whole of them were certainly
profoundly astonished at getting their money; and probably I should not
have paid a kopeck, but for a change in my intentions that had begun to
affect me.
I liked the promise of the new life for which I had exchanged my old
and empty career; and I had begun to consider whether, instead of
leaving when my passport came, I should not remain where I was and
continue to be Lieutenant Alexis Petrovitch of the Moscow Infantry
Regiment.
I had already done much to earn a title to the position. I had saved
the real man's body by helping him over the frontier; I had saved his
honour by fighting his duel for him; I had made his sister pretty safe
from further molestation at Devinsky's hands; I had created quite a new
Alexis Petrovitch in the regiment; and now I had paid the beggar's
debts.
Obviously I could play the part a good deal better than he could, and
therefore--why not continue to play it? There was plenty of danger in
it. Siberia at least, if it was discovered that I had been personating
a Russian officer and fighting duels in his name. But I cared nothing
for that. If it threatened me, it had its compensations; since it made
it quite impossible for the real Alexis ever to return and claim his
position, even if he wished.
I had intended to fight for Russia in any event, supposing the war
came; and if I fell in some battle it would not matter in the least how
my grave was ticketed. It might save me no end of trouble, moreover,
if I took the good the gods gave me without bothering any more about
volunteering.
The more I thought of it as I sat and smoked by myself, the firmer
became my resolve just to float with the stream and remain what I was,
till chance discovered me, if ever it did.
I had probably got over the worst danger by my impudence, my knack of
fighting, and the extraordinary resemblance to my other self; and
already I could see my way through many of the difficulties, so far as
the regiment was concerned.
Moreover, I am bound to admit I liked the part. I had never had such a
chance before; and if all the truth must be told, my vanity was not
altogether proof against the sensation I was creating. I had had such
a run of bad luck for the past few years, that a change was welcome.
By the time my reverie was finished, therefore, I had more than half
resolved to be Hamylton Tregethner no more. Then it was time to dress
for the ball at the Zemliczka Palace; and I was snob enough--I can call
it nothing but sheer snobbery--so to time my entrance into the rooms as
to cause as much sensation as possible. Though outwardly calm and
quite impassive, I am positively ashamed to say I enjoyed the ripple of
comment which I saw pass from lip to lip, and the evident interest
which I awakened.
At the same time matters were within an ace of being very awkward. Any
number of people came forward to speak to me, all of whom manifestly
expected I should know them both by name and by sight. I had one
greeting for all: cold, impassive, uninterested, though there were a
number of very handsome women with whom I should have been glad to
chat, if I could have done so safely. But I dared not.
Indeed the women worried me more than enough. The men I could stave
off and keep at a distance easily; for in truth they all seemed shy of
forcing themselves on me;--but the women wanted to compel me to take
notice of them and were not to be put off by any excuse or shift. How
many I ought to have known; with how many I had had flirtations, I of
course had not the remotest idea. I was thus very glad when a chance
of escape came with the entrance of Olga, who arrived with her aunt.
The latter was rather a good looking woman, I thought; and I got away
from the other people on the plea of having to go and speak to the two.
"Well, aunt, what do you think...."
"Aunt?" exclaimed Olga's companion, looking at me with unmistakable
anger.
My sister flashed a quick danger signal at me. I had blundered badly.
"Alexis, your joke is very ill-timed," she said, severely. "You should
know the Countess Krapotine better than to suppose that your
barrack-yard jibes would be welcome."
"I hope the Countess Krapotine knows there is no one in all Moscow
whose good will I prize more highly and would lose more unwillingly
than hers. It was a silly jest: and was prompted only by a desire to
claim even a passing relationship with one whom Moscow delights to
honour. Her kindness to you, Olga, makes her kin to me."
"You are always a little hard on your brother, Olga," said the
Countess, whom I had mistaken for an aunt many years older and
infinitely ugly. But the matter passed, and as I did not care to stop
and talk with them for too long, I left them after arranging which
dances I was to sit out with my sister.
I did not dance with anyone: but contented myself with lounging about
observing what was going on. I had more than one little adventure: but
one in particular impressed me. I was leaning against the wall near an
archway between two of the ball rooms when I noticed an exceedingly
handsome woman making eyes and signs secretly to some one near me. She
was a remarkably striking woman, tall, dark, handsome, and passionate
looking; and after a minute I glanced round about me to see who the
fortunate man might be. Just then there was no man at all near me: and
looking furtively at her, I noticed that the signs ceased when I was
apparently not observing her.
I looked at her openly and they recommenced immediately. It seemed
therefore that they were meant for me. I tested this, until there was
no room for doubt: and I looked at her with a little more interest,
speculating who she might be, and what she was to me. But I made no
sign that I knew her; as of course I did not; and after a minute or two
I moved away, as it was time for me to go to Olga.
There was just then a little difficulty in getting through the rooms
owing to the crush of people, and presently to my intense surprise a
very angry voice whispered close in my ear:--
"Beware!"
I turned at once and found it was the handsome woman who had been
signalling to me. The crowd had brought us close together, and she was
staring hard at me, her face expressive of both agitation and ill
temper. I was amused and without relaxing my features bowed as I
muttered:
"I will."
This answer seemed to increase her anger, but at that instant another
movement of the throng separated us, and I went away to find Olga.
We sat and chatted and laughed together--especially at my mistake with
the countess--and presently glancing up I saw opposite to us the woman
who had acted the little bit of melodrama with me. She was eyeing us
both now angrily.
"Who's that?" I asked, pointing her out to my sister. The girl shook
her head gravely.
"I wish you didn't know, Alexis."
"Oh, do I know? I've put my foot in it then, I expect;" and I told her
what had happened. She smiled, and then shook her head again, more
gravely than before.
"All Moscow knows that you and Madame Paula Tueski are thick friends;
and you ought to know that you have set many scandalous tongues
wagging."
"Well, she's a very handsome woman," said I, glancing across at her.
"Your favourite style of beauty was always somewhat masculine and
fleshly," said Olga in a very sisterly and very severe tone.
"Yes, I'm afraid I've not always admired those things I ought to have
admired."
"Say, rather, you have often admired those things which you ought not.
_Com_mission, not _o_mission."
"Well, I've a new commission now, and you gave it me," said I, playing
on her word and looking closely at her. I took rather a pleasure in
watching the colour ebb and flow in her bright expressive face.
She looked up now, very steadily, right into my eyes, as if to read my
thoughts; and then looked down again and was silent. And in some way
the look made me sorry I had jested. After a pause she said in her
usual direct way:--
"We are wasting time. There is so much I must yet tell you, and some
of it is very disagreeable. You and I have quarrelled more than once
about that woman, Paula Tueski. You wished me to know her, and I would
not; I wished you to give her up, and you would not."
"I'll do it at once," I said, readily. "I shall not feel the pang----"
"Do, please, be serious," she interrupted in her turn, with a little
foot tap of impatience, while a frown struggled with a smile for the
mastery in her expression. The smile had the best of it at first, but
the frown won in the end. "Paula Tueski, you have often told me, is a
dangerous woman. As wife of the Chief of the Secret Police she has
considerable power and influence; though to be candid I never could
tell whether you said this as an excuse for continuing your friendship
with her, or because you were really afraid of her. You are not very
brave, Alexis, you know."
"No, I'm afraid I'm not," I admitted. "But at any rate I won't try to
force her on you for the future. I think I can promise that."
"She's an exceedingly ambitious woman, and means you no good, Alexis,"
said Olga, very energetically. "If you can give her up safely I hope
you will." She was very earnest about this, and I was going to
question her more closely when someone came up to claim her for a dance.
Very soon after this I left, taking care to keep out of the way of the
woman who seemed so anxious that I should speak to her. I remembered
the "P.T." of the diary and of the correspondence; and I saw that there
might easily be some ugly complications unless I was very careful.
I walked home to my rooms and was very thoughtful on the way. This
legacy of old sweethearts was the most unpleasant feature of my new
inheritance as well as possibly the most dangerous. It was just the
kind of knot, too, that a sword could not cut; and before the night
closed, I had a very jarring reminder of this.