AT LANDSBERG
Praga was in his customary devil-may-care humor, and in reply to my
earnest request for information he laughed and showed his teeth, tossed
his head and shrugged his shoulders, and his first answer was a volley
of his strangely phrased oaths.
"Safe so far, Prince, but it was a devilish tight place you put us in.
That fellow of yours, von Krugen, is true grit, by the devil, a good
fellow right through."
"What have you done with the duke? Don't waste words, man," I said, with
much impatience.
"Poor little beast!" exclaimed the Corsican, with an ugly laugh. "We had
to frighten him till the sweat stood thick on his forehead, his teeth
chattered, and his knees knocked together like loose spokes in a rickety
wheel. In truth we didn't know what to do with him, and I was half for
knocking him on the head to be done with it, but von Krugen wouldn't.
Then it occurred to us that we could play at being about to put him to
death, and, as von Krugen was in his fancy dress, we let him play the
part of his mad Majesty's executioner. We patched up a few lies, sewed
them together with threats, and trimmed them with plenty of oaths. Told
him the whole plot was discovered, that the madman's agents had found it
all out, that my lord the duke was first on the honorable list for
having his head chopped off, and that von Krugen had been sent out to
give him the happy despatch. It was magnificent," and he laughed loudly
at the recollection.
"Well?" I cried, the delay irritating me.
"Your duke's a lily-livered wretch enough when it comes to facing cold
steel, and I'm bound to say von Krugen looked devilish ugly and dead set
in earnest as, wearing his mask, he drew his sword and gave the little
crank five minutes to balance up his ledgers with Heaven. He was in no
mood for that sort of work, as we had guessed of course, and instead of
putting up a few concentrated prayers of the customary strength he
flopped down on his knees and begged us to spare his life, and he
grovelled and squirmed and wriggled on his belly and wept till I could
have spat on him. Faugh!" and the Corsican's face was a picture of
disgust.
"I begin to see," I said.
"Not quite," said my companion, with a laugh. "For the next act was that
von Krugen and I quarrelled, and we pretended to wrangle and jangle
until I seemed to gain my end, and the little fool thought he owed his
life to me. He clung to me and shrank from the 'executioner,' and was
altogether in a fit state to promise anything I told him in order to
save his skin. I told him it would cost von Krugen his life if it were
known that he had not done the work, and that if any one had even a
suspicion of who the duke was and who we were all our lives would be
sacrificed in a twinkling. By that time he was about wet through with
fear, so we told him he must consent to be thought a mad patient of ours
whom we, as doctor and attendant, were conveying to an asylum. In this
way we took him to Gramberg--not to the castle, but to some place where
von Krugen said he would be safe for a time. There he is awaiting your
instructions. He's safe enough for a few days, but what after?"
"You have done well and cleverly," I said warmly. "A little fright won't
hurt him, and meanwhile matters here have taken a turn which may render
it necessary for us to set him free in a few hours," and I told Praga
what had happened--except as to the discovery of my imposture--and the
tale made a considerable impression on him.
"When that wily old Iscariot says one thing, I always look for another
meaning. But you had a master card to play. He must have been mad. And
what will you do?"
"If I do not hear from him at once, I shall go on to Landsberg on the
chance of my cousin's letter being right, and I will send a messenger to
the baron at once."
I was in the act of ringing for a servant when one entered to tell me
that Baron Heckscher was waiting to see me.
"He had better not see me," said the Corsican.
"There is no need. I will go to him. Meanwhile get ready to go with me,
and communicate with von Krugen to keep the duke where he is until he
hears from me."
Then I hurried to the room where Baron Heckscher was waiting.
"I deemed it best to come to you myself," he said on my entrance. "I
have been delayed, because I wished to be able to assure you that others
are with us in what we propose. Further, there is very important news."
"Stay, if you please," I interposed, "before you tell me any more of
your news. Understand, I am not, and will not, be a party to any of your
schemes. I have no wish to be in any degree in your confidence."
I guessed that the purport of his news was that some sort of
interference from Berlin was threatened, and I had the strongest reasons
for keeping clear of any complications whatever in that direction.
"I don't think I quite understand you," he said sharply.
"I mean that up to this point you have been working against the Countess
Minna and myself and I against you. So far I have outwitted you, and you
are taking the present step of freeing the countess because you can't
help yourself, not in any spirit of co-operation with me, but under
pressure from me, and because, if you don't do it, you know that your
whole plan will be spoiled. We are still opponents, and I decline to be
associated with you and your colleagues, and I retain complete freedom
of action and entire liberty to explain exactly the circumstances under
which this new development has taken place."
"You mean that you have threatened to murder the rightful heir to the
Bavarian throne," he said, harshly and angrily.
"That I have taken less shameful steps in regard to one of the heirs
than you took in regard to the other. Precisely," I retorted.
"If you will not act with us, there must be an end of things, then."
"Yes, if you mean that I must act with you, I will have no hand in your
plot."
"You make needless difficulties."
"On the contrary, I make no difficulties. I refuse only to be drawn into
your plot, or to be considered as one of you."
"A sudden development of scruples, under the circumstances," he
sneered.
"A proper development of caution I prefer to call it, seeing that I am
acting as the only real representative of the Countess Minna, and am
dealing with those who have tricked her so abominably."
I spoke with all the warmth I felt.
"You wish to pose as my enemy?"
"I am quite indifferent. I know already the whereabouts of the countess
from a source independent of you, and I have taken means to insure her
safety."
This was not strictly accurate, but it was indirectly true, for I knew
that so long as the Duke Marx remained in my hands Minna was safe
enough.
He paused to think.
"Do you mean you wish to break away from the arrangement we made this
morning?"
"Not so far as the renunciation of the throne is concerned; but the
arrangement as to my cousin's freedom is to be considered as forced from
you, not made in complicity with you. I do not wish you to tell me
anything because you think I am acting with you. I am not."
"So long as you do what you've agreed, I ask no more," he answered, with
a shrug of the shoulders, as though he considered the matter not worth
discussing.
But I knew his indifference was only assumed to cover his chagrin.
"The news is that the greatest haste is now imperative, or everything
will be lost. The Duke Marx must be back in Munich to-night or at latest
to-morrow. The whole city is in an uproar, and if the duke is not back
the ill consequences may be irretrievable. Moreover, I have news of
action from Berlin."
"You mean you wish to pull the wires at once for an agitation in favor
of your duke, I suppose, but dare not until you know he is at liberty
and able to come forward. A very pretty dilemma," and I smiled. "I am in
luck, it seems. But now what of this Landsberg business? The countess is
there. What have you done?"
"I have wired to our leader there, Major Gessler, to expect you to take
away the countess; and I have written you an authority to him that will
do all you need. Give him that--you will know him, for you saw him last
night when you visited the town-house of Herr Schemmell--and that very
moment the countess will be placed in your hands."
"Good!" I cried gladly, my blood warming at the thought of Minna being
again in my charge. "But you know that von Nauheim has gone to
Landsberg."
A frown crossed his face, but with an impatient wave of the hand he
exclaimed:
"He can do nothing. Now as to your part. As soon as the countess is in
your care again you will hand to Gessler an authority to set the Duke
Marx at liberty?"
"Yes," I replied after a moment's consideration.
"Then the sooner you are en route the better," he said, rising as he
spoke. "I have no more to say to you. We part as----?"
"As we met--opponents, Baron Heckscher," I answered promptly; and as
soon as he had gone I hurried back to Praga to tell him what had
occurred. Within a few minutes we were driving rapidly on our way to
Landsberg.
My heart was beating with pleased anticipation of seeing Minna, though I
was not without some apprehension as to how she would take the news I
had to tell of myself and of the deception I had practised. Nor was I
altogether free from disquieting fears that in some way there was
danger to her from the presence of von Nauheim. I had, too, many plans
to make regarding our future movements, so that I was in no mood for
conversation.
Praga began to beguile the journey by attempting to tell me a number of
piquant and characteristic anecdotes of his experiences; but he soon
found I was not listening, and he then relapsed into silence, and sat
smoking furiously.
Once when he broke a long silence his words chanced to chime with my
thoughts and I answered.
"When am I to have my revenge on that brute von Nauheim?" he asked, his
dark face lowering with anger.
"You have had much of it already, for most of his plans have
miscarried."
"Ay, but I want to be face to face with him, with nothing between but a
couple of sharp swords," and his eyes flashed as he spoke.
"That may come sooner than we think. I care not how soon," I said.
"But I do. Body of Bacchus, but I long to see him squirm and shiver and
shrink when I fix his eyes with mine and press his sword with the touch
of death."
"I have a score to settle with him, too, and it grows in the waiting."
"My turn first. You can have him when I've done with him--or at least
what's left of him," he cried, with a callous laugh. "Not before. And
what are you going to do afterward?"
"I am still undecided," I replied; and again we were both silent.
The journey was a very tedious one, for the train was slow, and we were
much delayed owing to a breakdown on the line, which made our train
several hours late. The delay fretted and galled me, for I could not
make sure that von Nauheim would not use the interval for some devilment
of his own. My impatience made the time pass with wings of lead.
It was well toward evening when we reached our destination, and then
came another delay. There was an eight-mile drive to the house, and at
first we couldn't get horses.
After much difficulty we procured a couple of riding hacks of very
indifferent quality, and as soon as we were mounted we pushed forward at
such speed as the nature of our beasts would allow. The effect of the
comparatively rapid motion through the air was exhilarating and braced
me. It was dusk, however, when we reached the village, at the far end of
which was the mansion.
"At last!" I exclaimed as we turned in through a pair of massive gates
and rattled up the drive at a quick trot.
As I glanced at the great, grim, square building, in which scarcely a
light was to be seen, a thought that all was not right was put into
words by my companion, who exclaimed with an oath:
"I don't like the look of this place, Prince. I seem to smell something
wrong. I'm not for trusting myself inside."
"It's all right," I answered. "It must be; there's no object now to be
gained by playing us false," and I jumped from the saddle and ran up the
broad flight of steps to the front door.
"Maybe," growled Praga. "But I'd rather stay where I am. I'll turn
horse-minder. If it's a trap, it's as well for one of us to remain on
the outside of it."
I was not sorry for him to do that, as I did not wish Minna to see him
until she knew how he had been helping us. His name was too repugnant to
her in connection with her brother's death.
My summons was answered at once, and I asked for Major Gessler. I was
shown to a room at once, and as the door closed on me I heard a rush of
footsteps, a cry or two of anger, a shout from Praga that we were
betrayed, and then the quick gallop of horses down the drive.
Before I had recovered from my consternation the door was opened again
quickly, and an officer appeared at it, accompanied by a couple of men,
who covered me with their guns.
"What is the meaning of this?" I cried angrily. "Where is Major Gessler?
I am the Prince von Gramberg, and am here with an authority from Baron
Heckscher to the major. You will repent this attack, sir, whoever you
are."
"If you will be good enough to hand over any weapons you may have, and
to sit down quietly there"--pointing to a chair--"I shall be glad to
answer you."
"I'll see you damned first!" I cried in a blind rage, and I whipped out
my revolver and levelled it point-blank at his face. "Stand out of my
way, or I'll shoot you like a dog!"
He was as cool as though I was merely offering him my card.
"You will gain nothing by shooting me, except that my men will promptly
shoot you," he answered.
"Then tell me what the devil you mean by this outrage," I said; and
despite my rage I saw readily the truth of what he said.
"I allow no man to force me in this way," he answered calmly, looking me
steadily in the face. "Give up your revolver and no harm will be done
to you. Indeed I shall be glad to explain matters."
I tossed the pistol on to the table, and he picked it up, handed it to
one of the men, and ordered them to leave the room.
"Remain at hand to come if I call," he told them. Then to me he said,
shutting the door: "I am merely obeying orders. Major Gessler is away
for a time, and my instructions were to detain you until he returned."
"Why is not the major here? He was prepared for my coming by a telegram
from Baron Heckscher."
"You must put your questions to him. I only obey orders. But there has
been some ugly business here in regard to the Countess Minna von
Gramberg. She left the place secretly with her aunt and the Count von
Nauheim, about three hours ago, and the major is gone in pursuit of
them."
The news set me on fire.
"I must go after them!" I cried. "Don't try to stop me. Where have they
gone?"
"My orders are that you remain here," he answered stolidly, "and I
cannot disobey them."
"But I have come to fetch the countess. This is the authority to Major
Gessler to deliver her up to me," and, snatching the baron's letter from
my pocket, I handed it to the officer.
He took it slowly, examined it carefully, and held it out again.
"It is addressed to my superior officer, I cannot open it," he said,
with the same deliberate coolness.
I tore open the envelope and gave him the letter.
He shook his head.
"It is not for me. I cannot read my superior's letters. I could not act
upon it if I did."
"But, good God, man, these women may be in desperate peril! You must
read it!"
He shook his head again with dogged obstinacy.
At that I lost all control of myself, and with an oath I threw myself
upon him to drag him out of the way of my escape from the place.
He clung to me, and wrestled furiously, and with a call brought in the
two men, who soon overpowered and forced me back in my chair, fuming
with rage.
"It is useless to struggle," he said in his cold, even tone. "I have my
orders, and more than enough strength to see that they are obeyed."
I recognized the force of this, and, though I cursed the blockhead
stolidity of the man, I could do nothing but yield.
I ceased to struggle, but felt like a madman in my baffled fury and fear
for Minna. Heaven alone knew what use von Nauheim might make of this
opportunity.