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The Prince of Graustark

Page 18

by George Barr McCutcheon


  CHAPTER XVIII

  A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

  One usually has breakfast on the porch of the Hotel Schweizerhof atInterlaken. It is not the most fashionable hostelry in the quaintlittle town at the head of the Lake of Thun, but it is of an excellentcharacter, and the rolls and honey to be had with one's breakfast cannot be surpassed in the Bernese Oberland. Straight ahead lies one ofthe most magnificent prospects in all the world: an unobstructed viewof the snow-thatched Jungfrau, miles away, gleaming white and jaggedagainst an azure sky, suggesting warmth instead of chill, grandeurinstead of terror. Looking up the valley one might be led to say thatan hour's ramble would take him to the crest of that shining peak, andyet some men have made a life's journey of it. Others have turned backin time.

  One has a whiff of fragrant woodlands and serene hay-cocks, a breath ofcool air from the Jungfrau's snows, a sniff of delectable bacon andtoast--and a zest for breakfast. And one sets about it with interest,with the breakfast of the next day as a thing to look forward to.

  R. Schmidt sat facing the dejected Boske Dank. His eyes were dancingwith the joy of living, and nothing better can be said of a man'scharacter than that he is gay and happy at breakfast-time. He who wakesup, refreshed and buoyant, and eager for the day's adventure, is indeeda child of nature. He will never grow old and crabbed; he will grip thehand of death when the time comes with the unconquered zeal that makesthe grim reaper despise himself for the advantage he takes of youth.

  "Well, here we are and in spite of that, where are we?" said Dank, whosaw nothing beautiful in the smile of any early morn. "I mean to say,what have we to show for our pains? We sneak into this Godforsakenhamlet, surrounded on all sides by abominations in the shape oftourists, and at the end of twenty-four hours we discover that the fairMiss Guile has played us a shabby trick. I daresay she is laughingherself sick over the whole business."

  "Which is more than you can say for yourself, Boske," said Robinblithely. "Brace up! All is not lost. We'll wait here a day or twolonger and then--well, I don't know what we'll do then."

  "She never intended to come here at all," said Dank, filled withresentment. "It was a trick to get rid of us. She--"

  "Be honest, old chap and say that it was a trick to get rid of _me_. Usis entirely too plural. But I haven't lost heart. She'll turn up yet."

  "Count Quinnox is in despair over this extraordinary whim of yours,highness. He is really ill in bed this morning. I--"

  "I'll run up and see him after breakfast," cried the Prince, genuinelyconcerned. "I'm sorry he is taking it so seriously."

  "He feels that we should be at home instead of dawdling about the--"

  "That reminds me. Dank," broke in the Prince, fresh happiness in hissmile; "I've decided that home is the place for you and the Count--andGourou too. I'm perfectly able to take care of myself,--with someassistance from Hobbs,--and I don't see any necessity for you three toremain with me any longer. I'll tell the Count that you all may startfor Vienna tonight. You connect with the Orient express at--"

  "Are you mad, highness?" cried Dank, startled out of his dejection."What you speak of is impossible--utterly impossible. We cannot leaveyou. We were delegated to escort you--"

  "I understand all of that perfectly, Dank," interrupted Robin, suddenlyembarrassed, "but don't you see how infernally awkward it will be forme if Miss Guile does appear, according to plan? She will find mebody-guarded, so to speak, by three surly, scowling individuals whosepresence I cannot explain to save my soul, unless I tell the truth, andI'm not yet ready to do that. Can't you see what I mean? How am I toexplain the three of you? A hawk-eyed triumvirate that camps on mytrail from morn till night and refuses to budge! She'll suspectsomething, old fellow, and--well, I certainly will feel morecomfortable if I'm not watched for the next few days."

  "That's the point, highness. You've just got to be watched for the nextfew days. We would never dare to show our faces in Graustark again ifwe allowed anything to happen to you while you are under our care. Youare a sacred charge. We must return you to Graustark as--er--inviolateas when you departed. We--we couldn't think of subjecting you to theperil of a--that is to say, it might prove fatal. Graustark, in thatevent, would be justified in hanging two of her foremost citizens andyours truly from gibbets designed especially for the blackest oftraitors."

  "I see, Dank. If I find happiness, you are almost sure to find disgraceand death, eh? It doesn't seem a fair division, does it? I suppose youall feel that the worst thing that can possibly happen is for me tofind happiness."

  "If I were the Prince of Graustark I should first think of thehappiness of my subjects. I would not offend."

  "Well put, Boske, but fortunately you are not the Prince. I sometimeswish that you were. It would relieve me of a tremendous responsibility.I am not mean enough, however, to wish a crown upon you, old fellow.You are lucky to be who and what you are. No one cares what you do, solong as you are honourable about it. With me it is different. I have tobe watched day and night in order to be kept from doing what all therest of the world looks upon as honourable."

  "I implore you, highness, to give up this mad enterprise and return toyour people as--"

  "There is only one person in the world who can stop me now, Dank."

  "And she isn't likely to do so, worse luck," was the other's complaint.

  "When she tells me to go about my business, I'll go, but not untilthen. Don't you like honey, Dank?"

  "No," said Dank savagely. "I hate it." He leaned back in his chair andglowered upon the innocent, placid Jungfrau. The Prince ate in silence."May I be permitted a question, highness?"

  "All you like, Boske. You are my best friend. Go ahead."

  "Did you see Miss Guile after that visit to St. Cloud--and to thepolice station?"

  "No. Evidently she was frightened out of her boots by the Hawkshaws. Idon't blame her, do you?"

  "And you've had no word from her?"

  "None. Now you are going to ask what reason I have for believing thatshe will come to Interlaken. Well, I can't answer that question. Ithink she'll come, that's all."

  "Do you think she is in love with you?"

  "Ah, my dear fellow, you are asking me to answer my own prayer," saidRobin, without a sign of resentment in his manner. "I'm praying thatshe isn't altogether indifferent. By the way, it is my turn to askquestions. Are you still in love with her?"

  "I am proud to say that you are more in my prayers that she," saidDank, with a profound sigh. "Nothing could please me more than to bethe one to save my prince from disaster, even if it meant the sacrificeof self. My only prayer is that you may be spared, sir, and I taken inyour place."

  "That was a neat answer, 'pon my soul," cried the Prince admiringly."You--Hello, who is this approaching? It is no other than the greatGourou himself, the king of sleuths, as they say in the books I used toread. Good morning, Baron."

  The sharp-visaged little Minister of Police came up to the table andfixed an accusing eye upon his sovereign,--the literal truth, for hehad the other eye closed in a protracted wink.

  "I regret to inform your majesty that the enemy is upon us," he said."I fear that our retreat is cut off. Nothing remains save--"

  "She has arrived?" cried the Prince eagerly.

  "She has," said the Baron. "Bag and baggage, and armed to the eyes.Each eye is a gatling-gun, each lip a lunette behind which lies anunconquerable legion of smiles and rows of ivory bayonets, each ear ahardy spy, and every nut-brown strand a covetous dastard on the warpathnot for a scalp but for a crown. Napoleon was never so well preparedfor battle as she, nor Troy so firmly fortified. Yes, highness, the foeis at our gates. We must to arms!"

  "Where is she?" demanded Robin, unimpressed by this glowing panegyric.

  "At this instant, sir, I fancy she is rallying her forces in the veryface of a helpless mirror. In other words, she is preparing for thefray. She is dressing."

  "The devil! How dare you pry into the secret--"

  "Abhorrent thought! I deduc
e, nothing more. Her maid loses herself inthe halls while attempting to respond to the call for re-inforcements.She accosts a gentleman of whom she inquires the way. The gentlemaninforms her she is on the third, not the second _etage_, and shescurries away simpering, but not before confiding to me--the aforesaidgentleman--that her mistress will give her fits for being late with herhair, whatever that may signify. So, you see, I do not stoop tokeyholes but put my wits to work instead."

  "When did she arrive?"

  "She came last night via Milan."

  "From Milan?" cried Robin, astonished.

  "A roundabout way, I'll admit," said the Baron, drily, "and tortuous inthese hot days, but admirably suited to a purpose. I should say thatshe was bent on throwing some one off the track."

  "And yet she came!" cried the Prince, in exultation. "She wanted tocome, after all, now didn't she, Dank?" He gave the lieutenant a lookof triumph.

  "She is more dangerous than I thought," said the guardsman mournfully.

  "Sit down, Baron," commanded the Prince. "I want to lay down the law toall of you. You three will have to move on to Graustark and leave me tolook out for myself. I will not have Miss Guile--"

  "No!" exclaimed the Baron, with unusual vehemence. "I expected you topropose something of the kind, and I am obliged to confess to you thatwe have discussed the contingency in advance. We will not leave you.That is final. You may depose us, exile us, curse us or anything youlike, but still we shall remain true to the duty we owe to our country.We stay here, Prince Robin, just so long as you are content to remain."

  Robin's face was very red. "You shame me, Baron," he said simply. "I amsorry that I spoke as I did. You are my friends, my loyal friends, andI would have humbled you in the eyes of my people. I beg your pardon,and yours, Boske. After all, I am only a prince and a prince isdependent on the loyalty of such as you. I take back all that I said."

  The Baron laid a kindly hand on the young man's shoulder. "I was rough,highness, in my speech just now, but you will understand that I wasmoved to--"

  "I know, Baron. It was the only way to fetch me up sharp. No apology isrequired. God bless you."

  "Now I have a suggestion of my own to offer," said the Baron, taking aseat at the end of the table. "I confess that Miss Guile may not befavourably impressed by the constant attendance of three able-bodiednurses, and, as she happens to be no fool, it is reasonably certainthat she will grasp the significance of our assiduity. Now I proposethat the Count, Dank and myself efface ourselves as completely aspossible during the rest of our enforced stay in Interlaken. I proposethat we take quarters in another hotel and leave you and Hobbs to thetender mercies of the enemy. It seems to me that--"

  "Good!" cried Robin. "That's the ticket! I quite agree to that, Baron."

  Dank was prepared to object but a dark look from Gourou silenced him."I've talked it over with the Count and he acquiesces," went on theBaron. "We recognise the futility of trying to induce you to leave atonce for Graustark, and we are now content to trust Providence to watchover and protect you against a foe whose motives may in time becometransparent, even to the blind."

  The irony in the remark was not lost on Robin. He flushed angrily butheld his tongue.

  Ten o'clock found the three gentlemen,--so classified by Hobbs,--out ofthe Schweizerhof and arranging for accommodations at the Regina HotelJungfraublick, perched on an eminence overlooking the valley and somedistance removed from the temporary abode of the Prince. Theirdeparture from the hotel in the Hoheweg was accomplished withoutdetection by Miss Guile or her friends, and, to all intents andpurposes, Robin was alone and unattended when he sat down on the porchnear the telescope to await the first appearance of the enchanting foe.He was somewhat puzzled by the strange submissiveness of hiscompanions. Deep down in his mind lurked the disquieting suspicion thatthey were conniving to get the better of the lovely temptress by somesly and secret bit of strategy. What was back of the wily Baron'smotive? Why were they now content to let him take the bit in his teethand run wherever he would? What had become of their anxiety, theireagerness to drag him off to Graustark by the first train? There wasfood for reflection in the tranquil capitulation of the defenders. Werethey acting under fresh instructions from Edelweiss? Had the PrimeMinister directed them to put no further obstacle in front of the greatBlithers invasion? Or--and he scowled darkly at the thought--was therea plan afoot to overcome the dangerous Miss Guile by means moresinister than subtle?

  Enlightenment came unexpectedly and with a shock to his composure. Hehad observed the three spirited saddlehorses near the entrance of thehotel, in charge of two stable-boys, but had regarded them only assplendid specimens of equine aristocracy. It had not entered his mindto look upon them as agents of despair.

  Two people emerged from the door and, passing by without so much as aglance in his direction, made their way to the mounting block. Robin'sheart went down to his boots. Bedelia, a graceful figure in a smartriding habit, was laughing blithely over a soft-spoken remark that hercompanion had made as they were crossing the porch. And that companionwas no other than the tall, good-looking fellow who had met her atCherbourg! The Prince, stunned and incredulous, watched them mounttheir horses and canter away, followed by a groom who seemed to havesprung up from nowhere.

  "Good morning, Mr. Schmidt," spoke a voice, and, still bewildered, hewhirled, hat in hand, to confront Mrs. Gaston. "Did I startle you?"

  He bowed stiffly over the hand she held out for him to clasp, andmurmured something about being proof against any surprise. The colourwas slowly returning to his face, and his smile was as engaging as everdespite the bitterness that filled his soul. Here was a pretty trick toplay on a fellow! Here was a slap in the face!

  "Isn't it a glorious morning? And how wonderful she is in this gorgeoussunlight," went on Mrs. Gaston, in what may be described as a hurried,nervous manner.

  "I had the briefest glimpse of her," mumbled Robin. "When did she come?"

  "Centuries and centuries ago, Mr. Schmidt," said she, with a smile. "Iwas speaking of the Jungfrau."

  "Oh!" he exclaimed, flushing. "I thought you--er--yes, of course!Really quite wonderful. I have heard it said that she never removes hernight-cap, but always greets the dawn in spotless--ahem! Of course youunderstand that I am speaking of the Jungfrau," he floundered.

  "Naturally, Mr. Schmidt. And so you came, after all. We were afraid youmight have concluded to alter your plans. Miss Guile will be delighted."

  He appeared grateful for the promise. "I have been here for three days,Mrs. Gaston. You were delayed in leaving Paris?"

  "Yes," she said, and changed the subject. "The riding is quite good, Iunderstand. They are off for Lauterbrunnen."

  "I see," said he. "There is a splendid inn there, I am told."

  "They will return here for luncheon, of course," she said, raising hereyebrows slightly. His heart became a trifle lighter at this. "Mr.White is a lifelong friend and acquaintance of the family," shevolunteered, apropos of nothing.

  "Oh, his name is White?" with a quiet laugh.

  "If you have nothing better to do, Mr. Schmidt, why not come with me tothe Kursaal? The morning concert will begin shortly, and I--"

  "I think you will find that the band plays in the square across theway, Mrs. Gaston, and not in the Casino. At least, that has been theprogramme for the last two mornings."

  "Nevertheless, there is a concert at the Casino today," she informedhim. "Will you come?"

  "Gladly," he replied, and they set off for the Kursaal. He found seatsin the half-empty pavillion and prepared to listen to the music,although his real interest was following the narrow highway toLauterbrunnen--and the Staubbach.

  "This is to be a special concert given at the request of the Grand Dukewho, I hear, is leaving this afternoon for Berne."

  "The Grand Duke? I was not aware of the presence of royalty," said hein surprise.

  "No? He has been here for three days, but at another hotel. The GrandDuke Paulus and his family, you know." />
  Robin shot a swift, apprehensive glance about the big enclosure,sweeping the raised circle from end to end. On the opposite side of thepavillion he discovered the space reserved for the distinguished party.Although he was far removed from that section he sank deeper into hischair and found one pretext after another to screen his face from view.He did know the Grand Duke Paulus and the Grand Duke knew him, whichwas even more to the point.

  The Prince of Graustark had been a prime favourite of the great mansince his knickerbocker days. Twice as a boy he had visited in theducal palace, far distant from Graustark, and at the time of his owncoronation the Grand Duke and his sons had come to the castle inEdelweiss for a full month's stay. They knew him well and they wouldrecognise him at a glance. At this particular time the last thing onearth that he desired was to be hailed as a royal prince.

  Never, in all his life, had he known the sun to penetrate so brightlyinto shadows as it did to-day. He felt that he was sitting in a perfectglare of light and that every feature of his face was clear to the mostdistant observer.

  He was on the point of making an excuse to leave the place when theducal party came sauntering down the aisle on their way to the reservedsection. Every one stood up, the band played, the Grand Duke bowed tothe right and to the left, and escape was cut off. Robin could onlystand with averted face and direct mild execrations at the sunlightthat had seemed so glorious at breakfast-time.

  "He is a splendid-looking man, isn't he?" Mrs. Gaston was saying. Shewas gazing in rapt admiration upon the royal group.

  "He is, indeed," said Robin, resolutely scanning a programme, which hecontinued to hold before his face. When he sat down again, it was withhis back to the band. "I don't like to watch the conductors," heexplained. "They do such foolish things, you know."

  Mrs. Gaston was eyeing him curiously. He was bitterly conscious of acrimson cheek. In silence they listened to the first number. While theapplause was at its height, Mrs. Gaston leaned forward and said to him:

  "I am afraid you are not enjoying the music, Mr. Schmidt. What is onyour mind?"

  He started. "I--I--really, Mrs. Gaston, I am enjoying it. I--"

  "Your mind has gone horse-back riding, I fear. At present it is betweenhere and Lauterbrunnen, jogging beside that roaring little torrentthat--"

  "I don't mind confessing that you are quite right," said he frankly."And I may add that the music makes me so blue that I'd like to jumpinto that roaring torrent and--and swim out again, I suppose," heconcluded, with a sheepish grin.

  "You are in love."

  "I am," he confessed.

  She laid her hand upon his. Her eyes were wide with eagerness. "Wouldit drive away the blues if I were to tell you that you have a chance towin her?"

  He felt his head spinning. "If--if I could believe that--that-" hebegan, and choked up with the rush of emotion that swept through him.

  "She is a strange girl. She will marry for love alone. Her father isdetermined that she shall marry a royal prince. That much I may confessto you. She has defied her father, Mr. Schmidt. She will marry forlove, and I believe it is in your power to awaken love in that adorableheart of hers. You--"

  "For God's sake, Mrs. Gaston, tell me--tell me, has she breathed a wordto you that--"

  "Not a single word. But I know her well. I have known her since she wasa baby, and I can read the soul that looks out through those lovelyeyes. Knowing her so well, I may say to you--oh, it must be in thestrictest confidence!--that you have a chance. And if you win her love,you will _have_ the greatest treasure in all the world. She--but, look!The Grand Duke is leaving. He--"

  "I don't care what becomes of the Grand Duke," he burst out. "Tell memore. Tell me how you look into her soul, and tell me what you see--"

  "Not now, sir. I have said enough. I have given you the sign of hope.It remains with you to make the most of it."

  "But you--you don't know anything about me. I may be the veriestadventurer, the most unworthy of all--"

  "I think, Mr. Schmidt, that I know you pretty well. I do not requirethe aid of Diogenes' lantern to see an honest man. I am responsible forher welfare. She has been placed under my protection. For twenty yearsI have adored her. I am not likely to encourage an adventurer."

  "I must be honest with you, Mrs. Gaston," he said suddenly. "I am not--"

  She held up her hand. "Mr. Totten has informed me that you are alife-long friend of Mrs. Truxton King. I cabled to her from Paris.There is no more to be said."

  His face fell. "Did she tell you--everything?"

  "She said no more than that R. Schmidt is the finest boy in all theworld." Suddenly her face paled. "You are never--_never_ to breathe aword of this to--to Bedelia," she whispered.

  "But her father? What will he say to--"

  "Her father has said all that can be said," she broke in quietly. "Hecannot force her to marry the man he has selected. She will marry theman she loves. Come now! Let us go. I am tired of the music."

  "Thank you, thank you, Mrs. Gaston," he cried, with shining eyes. "Godbless you!"

  She gave him a queer look. "You must not think that your task is aneasy one," she said meaningly. "There are other men in the world, youknow."

 

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