Without a word, he vaulted back and we moved off.
The whole thing had occurred so unexpectedly and so swiftly that the
few Masques, who had been in the vicinity, evidently had not noticed
the murderous nature of the assault; and the peculiar arrangement of
the hedges and trees had enabled my assailant to disappear almost
instantly. Indeed, but for Moore's vaulting the boxwood after him, it
is likely no one would have suspected anything unusual.
Several men came up and inquired if they could be of any assistance,
but I assured them it was a matter of no consequence--that I had,
evidently, been mistaken for another--or it was only a bit of
pleasantry from some friend who had recognized me.
"But that you are uninjured," remarked one, "I should almost say it was
a case of attempted assassination."
I laughed. "An assassination would fit in well with the costumes and
the garden--everything is mediaeval to-night."
"Except the electric lights," Moore threw in, dryly; and we bowed
ourselves away.
"I suppose we may now assume that somebody knows my disguise," I
observed. "Did you see my friend with the dagger?"
"Yes--as much of him as there was to see--he wore a long black cloak
and was rather above medium size. If Your Highness had not stopped me
I might have caught him."
"That's just why I stopped you," said I. "I didn't want to embarrass
the De Vierles. Think what it would mean to them to have it known that
one of their guests had attempted to stab to death an Archduke."
"Hum--I don't see why that is more important than protecting your life."
"My dear Colonel," said I, "if it were a question between my life and
Lady Vierle's temporary embarrassment, I would look after my life. But
my life is still safe, and in no more danger with that rogue at large
than with him caught."
"It would be one less scoundrel for Lotzen to work with," Moore
objected.
"I fancy he has got so many scoundrels on his pay roll that one, more
or less, won't matter," I answered. "But, I've no objection to a quiet
inquiry as to this assault--it may come very handy, some time--so, do
you look up the Secret Service Officer, in charge here to-night, and
give him such facts as you deem proper, and let a report be made to me
in the morning."
"First, let me escort you to the house," he insisted.
I put my hand on his arm. "Lotzen may have his hired bravoes," I said,
"but I'm blessed with two good friends in you and Bernheim."
The warm-hearted Irishman took my hand and pressed it.
"We both are Your Highness's servants until death," he said.
"I'm in no further danger to-night, I fancy," said I. "And here come
Lady Helen and the American Ambassador. I'll remain with them. When
you have done your errand rejoin me."