CHAPTER III
MANY PERSONS IN REVIEW
Truxton King witnessed the review of the garrison. That in itself wasrather a tame exhibition for a man who had seen the finest troops in allthe world. A thousand earnest looking soldiers, proud of the opportunityto march before the little Prince--and that was all, so far as thereview was concerned.
But, alluringly provident to the welfare of this narrative, the red andblack uniformed soldiers were not the only persons on review that balmyday in July. Truxton King had his first glimpse of the nobility ofGraustark. He changed his mind about going to Vienna on the Saturdayexpress. A goodly number of men before him had altered their humbleplans for the same reason, I am reliably informed.
Mr. King saw the court in all its glory, scattered along the shadyCastle Avenue--in carriages, in traps, in motors and in the saddle. Hisbrain whirled and his heart leaped under the pressure of a new-foundinterest in life. The unexpected oasis loomed up before his eyes just ashe was abandoning all hope in the unprofitable desert of Romance. He sawgreen trees and sparkling rivulets, and he sighed with a new, strangecontent. No, on second thoughts, he would not go to Vienna. He wouldstay in Edelweiss. He was a disciple of Micawber; and he was so muchyounger and fresher than that distinguished gentleman, that perhaps hewas justified in believing that, in his case, something was bound to"turn up."
If Truxton King had given up in disgust and fled to Vienna, this talewould never have come to light. Instead of being the lively narrative ofa young gentleman's adventures in far-away Graustark, it might havebecome a tale of the smart set in New York--for, as you know, we arebound by tradition to follow the trail laid down by our hero, no matterwhich way he elects to fare. Somewhat dismayed by his narrow escape, heconfided to his friend from Cook's that he could never have forgivenhimself if he had adhered to his resolution to leave on the followingday.
"I didn't know you'd changed your mind, sir," remarked Mr. Hobbs insurprise.
"Of course you didn't know it," said Truxton. "How could you? I've justchanged it, this instant. I didn't know it myself two minutes ago. No,sir, Hobbs--or is it Dobbs? Thanks--no, sir, I'm going to stop here fora--well, a week or two. Where the dickens do these people keepthemselves? I haven't seen 'em before."
"Oh, they are the nobility--the swells. They don't hang around thestreets like tourists and rubbernecks, sir," in plain disgust.
"I thought you were an Englishman," observed King, with a quizzicalsmile.
"I am, sir. I can't help saying rubbernecks, sir, though it's a shockingword. It's the only name for them, sir. That's what the little Princecalls them, too. You see, it's one form of amusement they provide forhim, and I am supposed to help it along as much as possible. Mr. Tullistakes him out in the avenue whenever I've got a party in hand. Itelephone up to the Castle that I've got a crowd and then I drive 'emout to the Park here. The Prince says he just loves to watch therubbernecks go by. It's great fun, sir, for the little lad. He nevermisses a party, and you can believe it or not, he has told me sohimself. Yes, sir, the Prince has had more than one word with me--fromtime to time." King looked at the little man's reddish face and sawtherein the signs of exaltation indigenous to a land imperial.
He hesitated for an instant and then remarked, with a mean impulse tospoil Hobbs's glorification: "I have dined with the President of theUnited States."
Hobbs was politely unimpressed. "I've no doubt, sir," he said. "Idaresay it was an excellent dinner."
King blinked his eyes and then turned them upon the passing show. He wascoming to understand the real difference between men.
"I say, who is that just passing--the lady in the victoria?" he askedabruptly.
"That is the Countess Marlanx."
"Whew! I thought she was the queen!"
Hobbs went into details concerning the beautiful Countess. During thehour and a half of display he pointed out to King all of the greatpersonages, giving a Baedeker-like account of their doings fromchildhood up, quite satisfying that gentleman's curiosity and involvinghis cupidity at the same time.
When, at last, the show was over, Truxton and the voluble littleinterpreter, whom he had employed for the occasion, strolled leisurelyback to the heart of the town. Something had come over King, changingthe quaint old city from a prosaic collection of shops and thoroughfaresinto a veritable playground for Cinderellas and Prince Charmings. Thewomen, to his startled imagination, had been suddenly transformed fromlackadaisical drudges into radiant personages at whose feet it would bea pleasure to fall, in whose defence it would be divine to serve; themen were the cavaliers that had called to him from the pages ofchivalrous tales, ever since the days of his childhood. Here wereknights and ladies such as he had dreamed of and despaired of everseeing outside his dreams.
Hobbs was telling him how every one struggled to provide amusement forthe little Prince at whose court these almost mythological beings bentthe knee. "Every few days they have a royal troupe of acrobats in theCastle grounds. Next week Tantora's big circus is to give a privateperformance for him. There are Marionettes and Punch and Judy shows, andall the doings of the Grand Grignol are beautifully imitated. The royalband plays every afternoon, and at night some one tells him stories ofthe valorous men who occupied the throne before him. He rides, playsbaseball and cricket, swims, goes shooting--and, you may take it fromme, sir, he is already enjoying fencing lessons with Colonel Quinnox,chief of the Castle guard. Mr. Tullis, the American, has charge ofhis--you might say, his education and entertainment. They want to makeof him a very wonderful Prince. So they are starting at the bottom. He'squite a wonderful little chap. What say, sir?"
"I was just going to ask if you know anything about a young woman whooccasionally tends shop for William Spantz, the armourer."
Hobbs looked interested. "She's quite a beauty, sir, I give you myword."
"I know that, Hobbs. But who is she?"
"I really can't say, sir. She's his niece, I've heard. Been here alittle over a month. I think she's from Warsaw."
"Well, I'll say good-bye here. If you've nothing on for to-morrow we'llvisit the Castle grounds and--ahem!--take a look about the place. Cometo the hotel early. I'm going over to the gun-shop. So long!" As hecrossed the square, his mind full of the beautiful women he had seen,he was saying to himself in a wild strain of exhilaration: "I'll bet myhead that girl isn't the nobody she's setting herself up to be. Shelooks like these I've just seen. She's got the marks of a lady. Youcan't fool me. I'm going to find out who she is and--well, maybe itwon't be so dull here, after all. It looks better every minute."
He was whistling gaily as he entered the little shop, ready to give acheery greeting to old Spantz and to make him a temporising offer forthe broadsword. But it was not Spantz who stood behind the littlecounter. Truxton flushed hotly and jerked off his hat. The girl smiled.
"I beg pardon," he exclaimed. "I--I'm looking for Mr. Spantz--I--"
"He is out. Will you wait? He will return in a very few minutes." Hervoice was clear and low, her accent charming. The smile in her eyessomehow struck him as sad, even fleeting in its attempt at mirth. As shespoke, it disappeared altogether and an almost sombre expression cameinto her face.
"Thanks. I'll--wait," he said, suddenly embarrassed. She turned to thewindow, resuming the wistful, preoccupied gaze down the avenue. He madepretence of inspecting the wares on the opposite wall, but covertlywatched her out of the corner of his eye. Perhaps, calculated he, if shewere attired in the gown of one of those fashionables she might rankwith the noblest of them in beauty and delicacy. Her dark little headwas carried with all the serene pride of a lady of quality; her featureswere clear cut, mobile, and absolutely flawless. He was sure of that:his sly analysis was not as casual as one might suppose under thecircumstances. As a matter of fact, he found himself having what heafterward called "a very good look at her." She seemed to have forgottenhis presence. The longer he looked at the delicate profile, the morefully was he convinced that she was not all that she pretended. H
eexperienced a thrill of hope. If she wasn't what she pretended to be,then surely she must be what he wanted her to be--a lady of quality. Inthat case there was a mystery. The thought restored his temerity.
"Beg pardon," he said, politely sauntering up to the little counter. Henoted that she was taller than he had thought, and slender. She startedand turned toward him with a quick, diffident smile, her dark eyesfilling with an unspoken apology. "I wanted to have another look at thebroadsword there. May I get it out of the window, or will you?"
Very quickly--he noticed that she went about it clumsily despite hersupple gracefulness--she withdrew the heavy weapon from the window andlaid it upon the counter. He was looking at her with a peculiar smileupon his lips. She flushed painfully.
"I am not--not what you would call an expert," she said frankly.
"You mean in handling broadswords," he said in his most suave manner."It's a cunning little thing, isn't it?" He picked up the ponderousblade. "I don't wonder you nearly dropped it on your toes."
"There must have been giants in those days," she said, a slight shudderpassing over her.
"Whoppers," he agreed eagerly. "I've thought somewhat of buying the oldthing. Not to use, of course. I'm not a giant."
"You're not a pigmy," she supplemented, her eyes sweeping his longfigure comprehensively.
"What's the price?" he asked, his courage faltering under the cool,impersonal gaze.
"I do not know. My uncle has told you?"
"I--I think he did. But I've got a wretched memory when it comes tobroadswords."
She laughed. "This is such a very old broadsword, too," she said. "Itgoes back beyond the memory of man."
"How does it come that you don't know the price?" he asked, watching hernarrowly. She met his inquiring look with perfect composure.
"I am quite new at the trade. I hope you will excuse my ignorance. Myuncle will be here in a moment." She was turning away with an air thatconvinced King of one thing: she was a person who, in no sense, had everbeen called upon to serve others.
"So I've heard," he observed. The bait took effect. She looked upquickly; he was confident that a startled expression flitted across herface.
"You have heard? What have you heard of me?" she demanded.
"That you are new at the business," he replied coolly.
"You are a stranger in a strange land, so they say."
"You have been making inquiries?" she asked, disdain succeeding dismay.
"Tentatively, that's all. Ever since you peeked out of the window upthere and laughed at me. I'm curious, you see."
She stared at him in silent intensity for a moment. "That's why Ilaughed at you. You were _very_ curious."
"Am I so bad as all that?" he lamented.
She ignored the question. "Why should you be interested in me, sir?"
Mr. King was inspired to fabricate in the interest of psychicalresearch. "Because I have heard that you are not the niece of old manSpantz." He watched intently to catch the effect of the declaration.
She merely stared at him; there was not so much as the flutter of aneyelid. "You have heard nothing of the kind," she said coldly.
"Well, I'll confess I haven't," he admitted cheerfully. "I wasexperimenting. I'm an amateur Sherlock Holmes. It pleases me to deducethat you are not related to the armourer. You don't look the part."
Now she smiled divinely. "And why not, pray? His sister was my mother."
"In order to establish a line on which to base my calculations, wouldyou mind telling me who your father is?" He asked the question with hismost appealing smile--a smile so frankly impudent that she could notresent it.
"My mother's husband," she replied in the same spirit.
"Well, that is _quite_ a clue!" he exclaimed. "'Pon my soul, I believeI'm on the right track. Excuse me for continuing, but is he a count or aduke or just a--"
"My father is dead," she interrupted, without taking her now seriousgaze from his face.
"I beg your pardon," he said at once. "I'm sorry if I've hurt you."
"My mother is dead. Now can you understand why I am living here with myuncle? Even an amateur may rise to that. Now, sir, do you expect topurchase the sword? If not, I shall replace it in the window."
"That's what I came here for," said he, resenting her tone and the icylook she gave him.
"I gathered that you came in the capacity of Sherlock Holmes--orsomething else." She added the last three words with unmistakablemeaning.
"You mean as a--" he hesitated, flushing.
"You knew I was alone, sir."
"By Jove, you're wrong there. I give you my word, I didn't. If I'd knownit, I'd surely have come in sooner. There, forgive me. I'm particularlylight-headed and futile to-day, and I hope--Beg pardon?"
She was leaning toward him, her hands on the counter, a peculiar gleamin her dark eyes--which now, for the first time, struck him as rathermore keen and penetrating than he had suspected before.
"I simply want to tell you, Mr. King, that unless you really expect tobuy this sword it is not wise in you to make it an excuse for cominghere."
"My dear young lady, I--"
"My uncle has a queer conception of the proprieties. He may think thatyou come to see me." A radiant smile leaped into her face, transformingits strange sombreness into absolutely impish mirth.
"Well, hang it all, he can't object to that, can he? Besides, I neverbuy without haggling," he expostulated, suddenly exhilarated, he knewnot why.
"Don't come in here unless you expect to buy," she said, serious in aninstant. "It isn't the custom in Edelweiss. Young men may chat withshopgirls all the world over--but in Edelweiss, no--unless they come topay most honourable court to them. My uncle would not understand."
"I take it, however, that you would understand," he said boldly.
"I have lived in Vienna, in Paris and in London. But now I am living inEdelweiss. I have not been a shopgirl always."
"I can believe that. My deductions are justified."
"Pray forgive me for offering this bit of advice. A word to the wise.My uncle would close the door in your face if--if he thought--"
"I see. Well, I'll buy the blooming sword. Anyhow, that's what I came infor."
"No. You came in because I smiled at you from the window upstairs. It ismy sitting-room."
"Why did you smile? Tell me?" eagerly.
"It was nature asserting itself."
"You mean you just couldn't help it?"
"That's precisely what I mean."
"Not very complimentary, I'd say."
"A smile is ever a compliment, sir."
"I say, do you know you interest me?" he began warmly, but she put herfinger to her lips.
"My uncle is returning. I must not talk to you any longer." She glanceduneasily out upon the square, and then hurriedly added, a certainwistfulness in her voice and eyes. "I couldn't help it to-day. I forgotmy place. But you are the first gentleman I've spoken to since I camehere."
"I--I was afraid you might think I am not a gentleman. I've been ratherfresh."
"I happen to have known many gentlemen. Before I went into--service, ofcourse." She turned away abruptly, a sudden shadow crossing her face.Truxton King exulted. At last he was touching the long-sought trail ofthe Golden Girl! Here was Romance! Here was mystery!
Spantz was crossing the sidewalk. The American leaned forward andhalf-whispered: "Just watch me buy that broadsword. I may, in time, buyout the shop, piece by piece."
She smiled swiftly. "Let me warn you: don't pay his price."
"Thanks."
When Spantz entered the door, a moment later, the girl was gazinglistlessly from the window and Truxton King was leaning against thecounter with his back toward her, his arms folded and a most impatientfrown on his face.
"Hello!" he said gruffly. "I've been waiting ten minutes for you."
Spantz's black eyes shot from one to the other. "What do you want?" hedemanded sharply. As he dropped his hat upon a stool near, the door, hisgl
ance again darted from the man to the girl and back again.
"The broadsword. And, say, Mr. Spantz, you might assume a different tonein addressing me. I'm a customer, not a beggar."
The girl left the window and walked slowly to the rear of the shop,passing through the narrow door, without so much as a glance at King orthe old man. Spantz was silent until she was gone.
"You want the broadsword, eh?" he asked, moderating his toneconsiderably. "It's a rare old--"
"I'll give you a hundred dollars-not another cent," interrupted King,riot yet over his resentment. There followed a long and irritatingargument, at the conclusion of which Mr. King became the possessor ofthe weapon at his own price. Remembering himself in time, he fell toadmiring some old rings and bracelets in a cabinet near by, thus pavingthe way for future visits.
"I'll come in again," he said indifferently.
"But you are leaving to-morrow, sir."
"I've changed my mind."
"You are not going?"
"Not for a few days."
"Then you have discovered something in Edelweiss to attract you?"grinned the old armourer. "I thought you might."
"I've had a glimpse of the swells, my good friend."
"It's all the good you'll get of it," said Spantz gruffly.
"I daresay you're right. Clean that sword up a bit for me, and I'll dropin to-morrow and get it. Here's sixty gavvos to bind the bargain. Therest on delivery. Good day, Mr. Spantz."
"Good day, Mr. King."
"How do you happen to know my name?"
Spantz put his hand over his heart and delivered himself of a mostimpressive bow. "When so distinguished a visitor comes to our littlecity," he said, "we lose no time in discovering his name. It is a partof our trade, sir, believe me."
"I'm not so sure that I do believe you," said Truxton King to himself ashe sauntered up the street toward the Hotel. "The girl knew me, too, nowthat I come to think of it. Heigho! By Jove, I _do_ hope I can work up alittle something to interest--Hello!"
Mr. Hobbs, from Cook's, was at his elbow, his eyes glistening witheagerness.
"I say, old Dangloss is waiting for you at the Regengetz, sir. Wot's up?Wot you been up to, sir?"
"Up to? Up to, Hobbs?"
"My word, sir, you must have been or he wouldn't be there to see you."
"Who is Dangloss?"
"Minister of Police--haven't I told you? He's a keen one, too, take myword for it. He's got Sherlock beat a mile."
"So have I, Hobbs. I'm not slow at Sherlocking, let me tell you that.How do you know he's waiting to see me?"
"I heard him ask for you. And I was there just now when one of his mencame in and told him you were on your way up from the gunshop downthere."
"So they're watching me, eh? 'Gad, this is fine!"
He lost no time in getting to the hotel. A well-remembered,fierce-looking little man in a white linen suit was waiting for him onthe great piazza.
Baron Jasto Dangloss was a polite man but not to the point ofprocrastination. He advanced to meet the puzzled American, smilingamiably and twirling his imposing mustachios with neatly gloved fingers.
"I have called, Mr. King, to have a little chat with you about yourfather," he said abruptly. He enjoyed the look of surprise on the youngman's face.
"My father?" murmured Truxton, catching his breath. He was shaking handswith the Baron, all the while staring blankly into his twinkling,snapping eyes.
"Won't you join me at this table? A julep will not be bad, eh?" King satdown opposite to him at one of the piazza tables, in the shade of thegreat trailing vines.
"Fine," was his only comment.
A waiter took the order and departed. The Baron produced his cigarettecase. King carefully selected one and tapped its tip on the back of hishand.
"Is--has anything happened to my father?" he asked quietly. "Bad news?"
"On the contrary, sir, he is quite well. I had a cablegram from himto-day."
"A cablegram?"
"Yes. I cabled day before yesterday to ask if he could tell me thewhereabouts of his son."
"The deuce you say!"
"He replies that you are in Teheran."
"What is the meaning of this, Baron?"
"It is a habit I have. I make it a practice to keep in touch with themovements of our guests."
"I see. You want to know all about me; why I'm here, where I came from,and all that. Well, I'm ready for the 'sweat box.'"
"Pray do not take offence. It is my rule. It would not be altered if theKing of England came. Ah, here are the juleps. Quick service, eh?"
"Remarkably so, due to your powers of persuasion, I fancy."
"I really ordered them a few minutes before you arrived. You see, I wasquite certain you'd have one. You take one about this hour every day."
"By Jove, you have been watching me!" cried Truxton delightedly.
"What are you doing in Edelweiss, Mr. King?" asked the Baron abruptlybut not peremptorily.
"Sight-seeing and in search of adventure," was the prompt response.
"I fancied as much. You've seen quite a bit of the world since you lefthome two years ago, on the twenty-seventh of September."
"By Jove!"
"Been to South Africa, Asia and--South America--to say nothing ofEurope. That must have been an exciting little episode in SouthAmerica."
"You don't mean to say--"
"Oh, I know all about your participation in the revolution down there.You were a captain, I understand, during the three weeks of disturbance.Splendid! For the fun of the thing, I suppose. Well, I like it in you. Ishould have done it myself. And you got out of the country just in time,if I remember rightly. There was a price placed on your head by thedistressed government. I imagine they would have shot you if they couldhave caught you--as they did the others." The old man chuckled. "Youdon't expect to return to South America, do you? The price is stilloffered, you know."
King was glaring at him in sheer wonder. Here was an episode in his lifethat he fondly hoped might never come to light; he knew how it woulddisturb his mother. And this foxy old fellow away off here in Graustarkknew all about it.
"Well, you're a wonder!" in pure admiration.
"An appreciated compliment, I assure you. This is all in the way ofletting you know that we have found out something concerning yourmovements. Now, to come down to the present. You expected to leaveto-morrow. Why are you staying over?"
"Baron, I leave that to your own distinguished powers of deduction,"said Truxton gently. He took a long pull at the straw, watching theother's face as he did so. The Baron smiled.
"You have found the young lady to be very attractive," observed theBaron. "Where have you known her before?"
"I beg pardon?"
"It is not unusual for a young man in search of adventure to follow thelady of his choice from place to place. She came but recently, Irecall."
"You think I knew her before and followed her to Edelweiss?"
"I am not quite sure whether you have been in Warsaw lately. There is agap in your movements that I can't account for."
King became serious at once. He saw that it was best to be frank withthis keen old man.
"Baron Dangloss, I don't know just what you are driving at, but I'llset you straight so far as I'm concerned. I never saw that girl untilthe day before yesterday. I never spoke to her until to-day."
"She smiled on you quite familiarly from her window casement_yesterday_," said Dangloss coolly.
"She laughed at me, to be perfectly candid. But what's all this about?Who is she? What's the game? I don't mind confessing that I have afeeling she is not what she claims to be, but that's as far as I'vegot."
Dangloss studied the young man's face for a moment and then came to asudden decision. He leaned forward and smiled sourly.
"Take my advice: do not play with fire," he said enigmatically.
"You--you mean she's a dangerous person? I can't believe that, Baron."
"She has dangerous friends o
ut in the world. I don't mean to say shewill cause you any trouble here--but there is a hereafter. Mind you, I'mnot saying she isn't a good girl, or even an adventuress. On thecontrary, she comes of an excellent family--in fact, there were noblemenamong them a generation or two ago. You know her name?"
"No. I say, this is getting interesting!" He was beaming.
"She is Olga Platanova. Her mother was married in this city twenty-fiveyears ago to Professor Platanova of Warsaw. The Professor was executedlast year for conspiracy. He was one of the leaders of a greatrevolutionary movement in Poland. They were virtually anarchists, as youhave come to place them in America. This girl, Olga, was his secretary.His death almost killed her. But that is not all. She had a sweetheartup to fifteen months ago. He was a prince of the royal blood. He wouldhave married her in spite of the difference in their stations had it notbeen for the intervention of the Crown that she and her kind hate sowell. The young man's powerful relatives took a hand in the affair. Hewas compelled to marry a scrawny little duchess, and Olga was warnedthat if she attempted to entice him away from his wife she would bepunished. She did not attempt it, because she is a virtuous girl--ofthat I am sure. But she hates them all--oh, how she hates them! Heruncle, Spantz, offered her a home. She came here a month ago,broken-spirited and sick. So far, she has been exceedingly respectful toour laws. It is not that we fear anything from her; but that we areobliged to watch her for the benefit of our big brothers across theborder. Now you know why I advised you to let the fire alone."
King was silent for a moment, turning something over in his head.
"Baron, are you sure that she is a Red?"
"Quite. She attended their councils."
"She doesn't look it, 'pon my word. I thought they were the scum of theearth."
"The kind you have in America are. But over here--oh, well, we never cantell."
"I don't mind saying she interests me. She's pretty--and I have an ideashe's clever. Baron, let me understand you. Do you mean that this is apolite way of commanding me to have nothing to do with her?"
"You put it broadly. In the first place, I am quite sure she will havenothing to do with you. She loved the husband of the scrawny duchess._You_, my good friend, handsome as you are, cannot interest her, believeme."
"I daresay you're right," glumly.
"I am merely warning you. Young men of your age and temperamentsometimes let their fancies lead them into desperate predicaments. I'veno doubt you can take care of yourself, but--" he paused, as if verymuch in doubt.
"I'm much obliged. And I'll keep my eyes well opened. I suppose there'sno harm in my going to the shop to look at a lot of rings andknick-knacks he has for sale?"
"Not in the least. Confine yourself to knick-knacks, that's all."
"Isn't Spantz above suspicion?"
"No one is in my little world. By the way, I am very fond of yourfather. He is a most excellent gentleman and a splendid shot."
Truxton stared harder than ever. "What's that?"
"I know him quite well. Hunted wild boars with him five years ago inGermany. And your sister! She was a beautiful young girl. They were atCarlsbad at the time. Was she quite well when you last heard?"
"She was," was all that the wondering brother could say.
"Well, come in and see me at the tower. I am there in the mornings. Comeas a caller, not as a prisoner, that's all." The Baron cackled at hislittle jest. "_Au revoir!_ Till we meet again." They were shaking handsin the friendliest manner. "Oh, by the way, you were good enough tochange your mind to-day about the personal attractiveness of our ladies.Permit me to observe, in return, that not a few of our mostdistinguished beauties were good enough to make inquiries as to youridentity."
He left the American standing at the head of the steps, gazing after hisretreating figure with a look of admiration in his eyes.
Truxton fared forth into the streets that night with a greater zest inlife than he had ever known before. Some thing whispered insistently tohis fancy that dreariness was a thing of the past; he did not have towhistle to keep up his spirits. They were soaring of their own accord.
He did not know, however, that a person from the secret service waswatching his every movement. Nor, on the other hand, is it at all likelythat the secret service operative was aware that he was not the onlyshadower of the blithe young stranger.
A man with a limp cigarette between his lips was never far from the sideof the American--a man who had stopped to pass the time of day withWilliam Spantz, and who, from that hour was not to let the young man outof his sight until another relieved him of the task.
Truxton King: A Story of Graustark Page 3