THE KINGDOM OF HESSE-WEIMAR
"Has Monsieur le Baron any trunks to be examined? This is the
Hesse-Weimar Customs."
These words, spoken in a respectful but guttural voice, startled Juve
from the deep sleep into which he had fallen after a very unpleasant
night. The detective opened his eyes and stretched himself.
The pale light of dawn struggled through the windows of the sleeping
car, the curtains of which had been carefully drawn. Outside nothing was
to be seen, for besides the mud which covered the windows a heavy fog
lay over the country.
The train came to a standstill, and before Juve stood an individual
dressed in an elegant blue and yellow uniform plentifully covered with
gold braid. Juve looked around to see the man who was being addressed by
the title of Monsieur le Baron and finally came to the conclusion that
it was himself to whom the man was speaking.
"Why do you call me Monsieur le Baron?" The man touched his hat
deferentially and seemed very surprised at the question.
"Why, Monsieur ... it's the custom. No one but the nobility travel first
class."
Juve smiled and replied:
"That's all right, my friend, but in the future call me simply,
'Marquis.'"
The official again saluted and seizing Juve's valise traced on it the
cabalistic chalk mark which allowed it to pass the frontier.
* * * * *
The evening before, the detective had taken his seat in the 10.50
express from the Gare du Nord in Paris for Cologne and Berlin. He had
the good luck to find that a sleeping car had been attached to the end
of the train which would take him directly to Glotzbourg. At the
frontier he changed into a local, which jogged peacefully along,
stopping every few minutes at small stations. The country of
Hesse-Weimar spread out attractive and varied. Numerous small hills
crowned with woods succeeded the green valleys they passed through. The
houses were Swiss in architecture and seemed built for comfort and
elegance. The little Kingdom seemed to breathe peace, simplicity and
well-being. On his arrival at Hesse-Weimar, Juve had not been without
some apprehension. During his last interview with Monsieur Annion he
had put forward the opinion that an investigation in Hesse-Weimar would
do much to clear up the mystery surrounding the affair. As a matter of
fact, it was more to gain time than for any other reason that Juve had
suggested this. He had not mentioned to his chief that his real object
in going to Glotzbourg was to try to obtain a clue as to the real or
apparent disappearance of the King Frederick-Christian II.
The formal declaration of the grotesque Wulf had reassured the French
authorities as to the fate of the King, but to Juve, who knew that
Fandor was installed at the Royal Palace, the search for the real King
was of paramount importance.
"Glotzbourg.... All out!"
The detective seized his bag, hurried out of the car, hailed a cab and
drove to the Hotel Deux-Hemispheres, which had been recommended by his
colleague. After engaging his room Juve asked the porter to telephone to
the police to find out when Heberlauf could see him. While waiting for
the reply he took a bath and changed his clothes.
* * * * *
After having washed and shaved, he was about to go down to the lobby of
the Hotel when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" he cried.
A very tall and thin individual with a parchment-like face entered and
bowed ceremoniously.
"To whom have I the honor...?" Juve inquired.
"I am Monsieur Heberlauf, head of the police at Hesse-Weimar.... Have I
the pleasure of speaking to Monsieur Juve?"
Juve, surprised at the visit, excused the disorder of the room and tried
to make his guest comfortable.
"Monsieur Wulf advised me of your intended visit to our Capital."
In a very few moments Juve was able to size up his man, who seemed only
too anxious to impart information about himself and his affairs. While
quite as simple-minded as Wulf, he appeared far more sinister. Juve also
divined without much difficulty that his wife, Madame Heloise Heberlauf,
was the best informed woman in the kingdom regarding gossip and scandal.
"In fact," declared the chief of police, "I can be of very little
assistance to you, Monsieur. But my wife can give you all the
information you need."
Juve made it clear to Monsieur Heberlauf that he wished to obtain an
entry to the Court as soon as possible.
Monsieur Heberlauf replied that nothing would be easier than a
presentation to the Queen. It happened that she was receiving in the
afternoon, and Madame Heberlauf would take the necessary steps for his
introduction. He ended by saying:
"Do come and lunch with us without ceremony. You will have plenty of
time afterward to dress for the reception.... Have you a Court costume?"
Juve had overlooked that item.
"No, I haven't," he replied. "Is it indispensable?"
"It is, but don't worry, Madame Heberlauf will take charge of that. She
will be able to find you the necessary garments." The luncheon
engagement made for twelve o'clock sharp, the Chief of Police, now more
solemn than ever, rose and took his leave.
* * * * *
"Well, Monsieur Juve, don't you think that looks fine?"
Juve was anxiously regarding himself in the glass, examining the effect
of his costume, while Madame Heberlauf, a fat little red-faced woman,
was circling around, eyeing him from every angle and clapping her hands
with pleasure at the success of her efforts.
The lunch had been bountiful, and thoroughly German. Preserved fruit was
served with the fish, and gooseberry jam with the roast. Juve was now
costumed in knee breeches and a dress coat which permitted him to enter
the presence of royalty.
"Don't be late," Madame Heberlauf advised, "for the Queen is very
punctual, and there are a number of formalities to go through before you
can be presented to her."
The Palace of the King was on the outskirts of the town, and was reached
by a drive through a Park which the inhabitants had named Pois de
Pulugne. It was built upon the top of a hill and had a fine view over
the surrounding country. The garden surrounding the Palace had been
artistically laid out, a fine lawn stretching away from the main
entrance. The building itself was a miniature copy of Versailles. Having
left his carriage at the gate Juve followed Madame Heberlauf's
instructions and made his way to the left wing of the Palace. Upon his
card of introduction was written the title "Comte," for, as Madame
Heberlauf had explained, the Queen had a penchant for meeting members of
the nobility. "Your welcome will be made much easier if you are thought
to be noble," Madame Heberlauf had explained. As it was imperative that
the reason for Juve's visit should be kept from the Court, he had
arranged a little story with Madame Heberlauf.
The Comte Juve was a Canadian explorer who, after a trip through
Africa, was coming to spend some time at Glotzbourg and was anxious to
meet the reigning family.
"God forgive us the lie," exclaimed Monsieur Heberlauf, "but as Monsieur
Juve's mission is in the interest of the King Frederick-Christian, we
are thoroughly justified in the deception."
* * * * *
The Queen's chamberlain, Monsieur Erick von Kampfen, after carefully
examining Juve's credentials, led the detective into a drawing-room in
which were already gathered a number of persons. An officer, in a
wonderful uniform, came forward and introduced him to several of his
companions.
* * * * *
"Princesse de Krauss, duc de Rutisheimer, colonel ..."
Juve was not surprised at this. The excellent Madame Heberlauf had
warned him that such was the usage of the Court, and that before being
admitted to the presence of the sovereign, the guests were introduced to
one another. Juve was on his guard against committing the slightest
imprudence, but his new friends were quickly at ease with him and very
amiable in their attentions. He was soon surrounded by a number of young
women begging for details of his explorations. Among these people Juve
picked out the Princesse de Krauss, a stout woman with exaggerated
blonde hair and red spots on her face, barely disguised under a thick
layer of powder. She seemed to be ready for a more personal conversation
which Juve insensibly brought to bear upon the royal couple.
"Will His Majesty the King be present at the Queen's reception to-day?"
The Princess looked at Juve in amazement, and then burst out laughing.
"It is easy to see you have just arrived from the middle of Africa, or
you would know that His Majesty the King is in Paris.... Surely you must
know that, since you tell me that you came through Paris on your way
here."
The Duchess de Rutisheimer, a rather pretty and distinguished looking
woman, drew the detective apart and whispered behind her fan:
"Our King is a gay bird, Count, and we know very well why he goes to
Paris."
The Duchess spoke with such an air of annoyance that Juve could hardly
prevent a smile.
"One might criticise His Majesty for going so far away to seek what was
so close to hand."
"Ah, indeed, you are right," the Princess sighed, "there must be
something about these Parisian women. ... I heard that the dressmakers
of the Rue de la Paix are going to bring out some Spring models which
are so indecent ..."
M. Erick von Kampfen, the chamberlain, entered the room at this moment
and announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, kindly pass into the gallery. Her Majesty the
Queen will be ready to receive you in a moment."
Behind him came the little Duc Rudolphe, who was informing some of his
friends as though it were a fine piece of scandal:
"The Grand Duchess Alexandra hasn't come yet ... and they are wondering
if she will come."