"Guests!" I repeated. "Where did they come from? Isn't the pass
closed?"
"Sealed tight, Monsieur O'Ryan. But when the avalanche fell this
vehicle and its passengers were just far enough inside the pass to be
caught.
"I understand they've been digging themselves out of the snow all this
time. They've just arrived and are in the long hall asking for
accommodations."
"Who are they?" I demanded in utter disgust; "more huns?"
"One is a Turkish gentleman," he said. "The other is the driver. I
will take care of him. The Turkish traveler's name is Eddin Bey, and he
says he's a friend of Admiral Lauterlaus."
I went into the house and discovered Eddin Bey entering his signature on
the ledger while Clelia with keys and candle waited beside him to show
him to his quarters.
"Ah!" he exclaimed cordially when I named myself, offering his dark,
nervous hand, "I am inexpressibly happy to have the privilege, Monsieur
O'Ryan! A narrow escape for us, I assure you!--that mountain of snow
roaring down on us and our horses whipped to a gallop! Not gay--eh?
No, sir! And I thought we'd never dig out the horses and our wagon and
luggage!"
I replied politely and suitably, and Clelia presently piloted this dark,
lean, vivacious young man to his quarters across the corridor from
General von Dungheim.
When she returned her flushed, set features arrested my attention. "Did
that Turk annoy you, Clelia?" I asked sharply.
She shrugged: "Tavern gallantry," she replied briefly: "men of that sort
are prone to it."
I said: "If any of these people annoy you and Thusis come to me at
once."
She laughed: "Dear Monsieur O'Ryan," she said, "Thusis and I know how to
take care of ourselves." She came nearer, looking up at me out of her
lovely, friendly eyes:
"Thusis is in her room. It isn't very proper, of course, but she is
waiting for you. Will you go?"
"Yes."
Clelia laid one hand lightly on my arm, and her smile became wistful and
troubled:
"You do care for my sister, don't you?"
"I am deeply in love with her."
"I was afraid so."
"Afraid?"
"Oh, I don't know how Thusis is going to behave,--how she is going to
take it!" said Clelia in frank anxiety. "Never before has she cared for
any man; and I don't know what she's going to do about you--indeed I
don't, Mr. O'Ryan!"
"Could you tell me," said I bluntly, "what obstacles stand in the way of
my marrying your sister?"
"Thusis should tell you."
"She isn't already married?"
"Good Heavens, no!"
"Is it a matter of religion?"
"Thusis must tell you. I could not speak for her,--interfere with her.
My sister will act for herself--assume all responsibility for whatever
she chooses to do.... As I do."