The suddenness of this demand overwhelmed him, and he fell back into
the chair, his eyes bulging and his mouth agape.
"Do you hear me?" I cried. "The proofs!" going up to him with clenched
fists. "What have you done with those proofs? If you have destroyed
them I'll kill you."
Then, as a bulldog shakes himself loose, the old fellow got up and
squared his shoulders and faced me, his lips compressed and his jaws
knotted. I could see by his eyes that I must fight for it.
"Herr Winthrop has gone mad," said he. "The Princess Hildegarde never
had a sister."
"You lie!" My hands were at his throat.
"I am an old man," he said.
I let my hands drop and stepped back.
"That is better," he said, with a grim smile. "Who told you this
impossible tale, and what has brought you here?"
"It is not impossible. The sister has been found."
"Found!" I had him this time. "Found!" he repeated. "Oh, this is not
credible!"
"It is true. And to-morrow at noon the woman you profess to love will
become the wife of the man she abhors. Why? Because you, you refuse
to save her!"
"I? How in God's name can I save her?" the perspiration beginning to
stand out on his brow.
"How? I will tell you how. Prince Ernst marries Gretchen for her
dowry alone. If the woman I believe to be her sister can be proved so,
the Prince will withdraw his claims to Gretchen's hand. Do you
understand? He will not marry for half the revenues of Hohenphalia.
It is all or nothing. Now, will you produce those proofs? Will you
help me?" The minute hand of the clock was moving around with deadly
precision.
"Are you lying to me?" he asked, breathing hard.
"You fool! can't you see that it means everything to Gretchen if you
have those proofs? She will be free, free! Will you get those proofs,
or shall your god-child live to curse you?"
This was the most powerful weapon I had yet used.
"Live to curse me?" he said, not speaking to me, but to the thought.
He sat down again and covered his face with his hands. The minute
which passed seemed very long. He flung away his hands from his eyes
with a movement which expressed despair and resignation. "Yes, I will
get them. It is years and years ago," he mused absently; "so long ago
that I had thought it gone and forgotten. But it was not to be. I
will get the proofs," turning to me as he left the chair. "Wait here."
He unbolted the door and passed forth. . . . It was a full confession
of the deception, written by the mother herself, and witnessed by her
physician, the innkeeper and his wife. Not even the King could contest
its genuineness.
"Where is this Dr. Salzberg?"
The innkeeper leaned against the side of the fireplace, staring into
the flames.
"He is dead," briefly.
"Who was he?"
"Her late Highness's court-physician. Oh, have no fear, Herr; this
new-found Princess of yours will come into her own," with a bitter
smile.
"And why have you kept silent all these years?" I asked.
"Why?" He raised his arms, then let them fall dejectedly. "I loved
the Princess Hildegarde. I was jealous that any should share her
greatness. I have kept silent because I carried her in my arms till
she could walk. Because her father cursed her, and refused to believe
her his own. Because she grew around my heart as a vine grows around a
rugged oak. And the other? She was nothing to me. I had never seen
her. My wife spirited her away when it was night and dark. I took the
proofs of her existence as a punishment to my wife, who, without them,
would never dare to return to this country again. Herr, when a man
loads you with ignominy and contempt and ridicule for something you are
not to blame, what do you seek? Revenge. The Prince tried to crush
this lonely child of his. It was I who brought her up. It was I who
taught her to say her prayers. It was I who made her what she is
to-day, a noble woman, with a soul as spotless as yonder snowdrift.
That was my revenge."
"Who are you?" I cried. For this innkeeper's affection and eloquence
seemed out of place.
"Who am I?" The smile which lit his face was wistful and sad. "The
law of man disavows me--the bar sinister. In the eyes of God, who is
accountable for our being, I am Gretchen's uncle, her father's brother."
"You?" I was astounded.
"And who knows of this?"
"The King, the Prince--and you."
I thrust a hand toward him. "You are a man."
"Wait. Swear to God that Her Highness shall never know."
"On my honor."
Then he accepted my clasp and looked straight into my eyes.
"And all this to you?"
"I love her."
"And she?"
"It is mutual. Do you suppose she would have put her life before mine
if not? She knew that the lieutenant would have killed me."
"Ach! It never occurred to me in that light. I understood it to be a
frolic of hers. Will you make her happy?"
"If an honest man's love can do it," said I. "Now, get on your hat and
coat. You must go to the capital with me. The King would send for you
in any case. The next train leaves at five, and to save Gretchen,
these proofs must be in the Chancellor's hands to-morrow morning."
"Yes, my presence will be necessary. Perhaps I have committed a crime;
who knows?" His head fell in meditation. "Herr, and this other
sister, has she been happy?"
"Happier than ever Gretchen."
He had the sleigh brought around. Stahlberg was to ride my horse back
to the village and return with the sleigh. We climbed into the seat,
there was a crunching of snow, a jangle of bells, and we were gliding
over the white highway. As I lay back among the robes, I tried to
imagine that it was a dream, that I was still in New York, grinding
away in my den, and not enacting one of the principal roles in a court
drama; that I was not in love with a woman who spoke familiarly to
kings and grand dukes and princes, that I was not about to create a
Princess of whom few had vaguely heard and of whom but one had really
known; that Phyllis and I were once more on the old friendly grounds,
and that I was to go on loving her till the end of time--till the end
of time.
"You have known this sister?" asked the innkeeper.
"For many years," said I.
And those were the only words which passed between us during that
five-mile drive. At the station I at once wired the Chancellor that
the proofs had been found, and requested him to inform the King and
Prince Ernst. And then another eight hours dragged themselves out of
existence. But Gretchen was mine!
The King was dressed in a military blouse, and, save for the small
cross suspended from his neck by a chain of gold, there was nothing
about him to distinguish his rank. He strode back and forth, sometimes
going the whole length of the white room. The Chancellor sat at a long
mahogany table, and the Prince and Mr. Wentworth were seated at either
side of him. The innkeeper stood before the Chancellor, at the
opposite side of the table. His face might have been cut from granite,
it was so set and impressive. I leaned over the back of a chair in the
rear of the room. The King came close to me once and fixed his keen
blue eyes on mine.
"Was this the fellow, Prince," he asked, "who caused you all the
trouble and anxiety?"
I felt uneasy. My experience with Kings was not large.
"No, Your Majesty," answered the Prince. "The gentleman to whom you
refer has departed the scene." The Prince caught the fire in my eye,
and laughed softly.
"Ah," said the King, carelessly. "It is a strange story. Proceed,"
with a nod to the Chancellor.
"What is your name?" the Chancellor asked, directing his glance at the
innkeeper.
The innkeeper gazed at the King for a space. The Prince was watching
him with a mocking smile.
"Hermann Breunner, Your Excellency."
The King stood still. He had forgotten the man, but not the name.
"Hermann Breunner," he mused.
"Yes, Your Majesty," said the innkeeper.
"The keeper of the feudal inn," supplemented the Prince.
The glance the innkeeper shot him was swift. The Prince suddenly
busied himself with the papers.
"Are you aware," went on the Chancellor, who had not touched the
undercurrent, "that you are guilty of a grave crime?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Which is punishable by long imprisonment?"
The innkeeper bent his head.
"What have you to say in your defense?"
"Nothing," tranquilly meeting the frowning eyes of the King.
"What was your object in defrauding the Princess--" the Chancellor
opened one of the documents which lay before him--"the Princess
Elizabeth of her rights?"
"I desired the Princess Hildegarde to possess all," was the answer. It
was also a challenge to the Prince to refute the answer if he dared.
"I acknowledge that I have committed a crime. I submit to His
Majesty's will," bowing reverentially.
The King was stroking his chin, a sign of deep meditation in him.
"Let Their Highnesses be brought in," he said at last.
The Chancellor rose and passed into the anteroom. Shortly he returned,
followed by Gretchen. I could see by the expression in her face that
she was mystified by the proceeding.
"Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth is just leaving the carriage,"
announced the Chancellor, retiring again.
Gretchen looked first at the King, then at the Prince. As she saw the
innkeeper, a wave of astonishment rippled over her face.
"Be seated, Your Highness," said the King, kindly.
She knew that I was in the room, but her eyes never left the King.
The Prince was plucking at his imperial. The innkeeper's eyes were
riveted on the door. He was waiting for the appearance of her whom he
had wronged. Presently Phyllis came in. Her cheeks were red, and her
eyes sparkled with excitement. Wentworth nodded reassuringly. The
innkeeper was like one stricken dumb. He stared at Phyllis till I
thought his eyes would start from their sockets.
"Your Majesty has summoned me?" said Gretchen.
"Yes. Explain," said the King to the Chancellor.
"Your Highness," began the Chancellor, "it has been proved by these
papers here and by that man there," pointing to the innkeeper, "that
your mother of lamented memory gave birth to twins. One is yourself;
the other was spirited away at the request of your mother. We shall
pass over her reasons. It was all due to the efforts of this clever
journalist here--" Gretchen was compelled to look at me now, while the
King frowned and the Prince smiled--"that your sister has been found."
Gretchen gave a cry and started to go to Phyllis with outstretched
arms; but as Phyllis stood motionless she stopped, and her arms fell.
"Your Highness," said the King to Phyllis, "it is your sister, the
Princess Hildegarde. Embrace her, I beg you."
The King willed it. But it occurred to me that there was a warmth
lacking in the embrace. Gretchen lightly brushed with her lips the
cheek of her sister, and the kiss was as lightly returned. There was
something about it all we men failed to understand.
"Moreover," said the King, "she desires you to remain the sovereign
Princess of Hohenphalia."
"Nay, Your Majesty," said Gretchen, "it is I who will relinquish my
claims. Your Majesty is aware that I have many caprices."
"Indeed, yes," said the King. "And I can assure you that they have
caused me no small anxiety. But let us come to an understanding, once
and for all. Do you wish to abdicate in favor of your sister?"
Gretchen gave me the briefest notice.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Phyllis was regarding me steadfastly.
"This is final?" said the King.
"It is."
"And what is your will?" to Phyllis. "Yes, the likeness is truly
remarkable," communing aloud to his thought.
I could not suppress the appeal in my eyes.
"Your Majesty," said Phyllis, "if my sister will teach me how to become
a Princess, I promise to accept the responsibility."
"You will not need much teaching," replied the King, admiringly.
"You will do this?--you, my sister?" asked Gretchen eagerly.
"Yes." There was no color now in Phyllis's cheeks; they were as white
as the marble faun on the mantel.
"Remember, Your Highness," said the King, speaking to Gretchen, "there
shall be no recall."
"Sire," said the Prince, rising, "I request a favor."
"And it shall be granted," said the King, "this being your wedding day."
It was Gretchen who now paled; the hands of the innkeeper closed; I
clutched the chair, for my legs trembled. To lose, after all!
"Ah," said the Prince, "I thank Your Majesty. The favor I ask is that
you will postpone this marriage--indefinitely."
"What!" cried the King. He was amazed. "Have I heard you aright, or
do my ears play me false?"
"It is true. I thank Your Majesty again," said the Prince, bowing.
"But this is beyond belief," cried the King in anger. "I do not
understand. This marriage was at your own request, and now you
withdraw. Since when," proudly, "was the hand of the Princess
Hildegarde to be ignored?"
"It is a delicate matter," said the Prince, turning the ring on his
finger. "It would be impolite to state my reasons before Her Highness.
Your Highness, are you not of my opinion, that, as matters now stand, a
marriage between us would be rather absurd?"
"Now, as at all times," retorted Gretchen, scornfully. "It has never
been my will," a furtive glance at the King.
"But--" began the King. He was wrathful.
"Your Majesty," said the innkeeper, "you are a great King; be a
generous one."
All looked at him as though they expected to see the King fly at him
and demolish him--all but I. The King walked up to the bold speaker,
took his measure, then, with his hands clasped behind his back, resumed
his pacing. After a while he came to a standstill.
"Your Highness," he said to Phyllis, "what shall I do with this man who
has so grossly wronged you?"
"Forgive him."
The King passed on. I was not looking at him, but at the innkeeper. I
saw his lip tremble and his eyes fill. Suddenly he fell upon his knees
before Phyllis and raised her hand to his lips.
"Will Your Highness forgive a sinner who only now realizes the wrong he
has done to you?"
"Yes, I forgive you," said Phyllis. "The only wrong you have done to
me is to have made me a Princess. Your Majesty will forgive me, but it
is all so strange to me who have grown up in a foreign land which is
dearer to my heart than the land in which I was born."
I felt a thrill of pride, and I saw that Mr. Wentworth's lips had
formed into a "God bless her!"
"It is a question now," said the King, "only of duty."
"And Your Majesty's will regarding my marriage?" put in the Prince,
holding his watch in his hand. It was ten o'clock.
"Well, well! It shall be as you desire." Then to me: "I thank you in
the name of Their Highnesses for your services. And you, Mr.
Wentworth, shall always have the good will of the King for presenting
to his court so accomplished and beautiful a woman as Her Highness the
Princess Elizabeth. Hermann Breunner, return to your inn and remain
there; your countenance brings back disagreeable recollections. I
shall expect Your Highnesses at dinner this evening. Prince, I leave
to you the pleasant task of annulling your nuptial preparations. Good
morning. Ah! these women!" as he passed from the room. "They are our
mothers, so we must suffer their caprices."
And as we men followed him we saw Gretchen weeping silently on
Phyllis's shoulder.
The innkeeper touched the Prince.
"I give you fair warning," he said. "If our paths cross again, one of
us shall go on alone."
"I should be very lonely without you," laughed the Prince. "However,
rest yourself. As the King remarked, your face recalls unpleasant
memories. Our paths shall not cross again."
When the innkeeper and the Chancellor were out of earshot, I said: "She
is mine!"
"Not yet," the Prince said softly. "On Tuesday morn I shall kill you."