"Patience! Not literally a mock marriage, but the filling out of a
bogus certificate."
"I do not understand at all."
"You have heard of Hermann Steinbock, a cashiered officer?"
"Yes. I understand that he is the rascal to whom you refer."
"Well, this certificate is to be filled out completely. To outwit the
duke, her Highness commits--"
"A forgery."
"It is a terrible thing to do, but she has gone too far to withdraw
now. She is to become the wife of Hermann Steinbock. She wishes to
show the certificate to the duke."
"But the banns have not been made public."
"That does not matter."
"But why detain me?" I was growing restless. It was all folly, and no
good would come of it.
"It is necessary that a gentleman should be present. The caretaker is
not a gentleman. I have said that Steinbock is a rascal. As I review
the events, I begin to look upon your arrival as timely. Steinbock is
not a reliable quantity."
"I begin to perceive."
"He is to receive one thousand crowns for his part in the ceremony;
then he is to leave the country."
"But the priest's signature, the notary's seal, the iron-clad
formalities which attend all these things!" I stammered.
"You will recollect that her Highness is a princess of the blood.
Seldom is she refused anything in Barscheit." She went to a small
secretary and produced a certificate, duly sealed and signed. There
lacked nothing but Steinbock's name.
"But the rascal will boast about it! He may blackmail all of you. He
may convince the public that he has really married her Highness."
"I thank not. We have not moved in this blindly. Steinbock we know to
have forged the name of the minister of finance. We hold this sword
above his head. And if he should speak or boast of it, your word would
hold greater weight than his. Do you understand now?"
"Yes, I understand. But I believe that I am genuinely sorry to have
blundered into this castle to-night."
"Oh, if you lack courage!"--carelessly.